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A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.
“Stay the hell away from Xaden Riorson.” The air rushes from my lungs. That name… “That Xaden Riorson,” she confirms, fear lacing her gaze. “He’s a third-year, and he will kill you the second he finds out who you are.” “His father was the Great Betrayer. He led the rebellion,” I say quietly. “What is Xaden doing here?” “All the children of the leaders were conscripted as punishment for their parents’ crimes,”
“Stay. Away. From. Him.”
He’s tall, with windblown black hair and dark brows. The line of his jaw is strong and covered by warm tawny skin and dark stubble, and when he folds his arms across his torso, the muscles in his chest and arms ripple, moving in a way that makes me swallow. And his eyes… His eyes are the shade of gold-flecked onyx. The contrast is startling, jaw-dropping even—everything about him is. His features are so harsh that they look carved, and yet they’re astonishingly perfect, like an artist worked a lifetime sculpting him, and at least a year of that was spent on his mouth.
“I’m Dain Aetos, and I’m the leader for Second Squad, Flame Section, Second Wing.”
“Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”
“Now, get back to bed before your wingleader realizes you’re out after curfew.” “What?” I gawk after him. “You’re my wingleader!”
“Going for blood today, are we, Violence?” he whispers. Metal hits the mat again and he kicks it past my head and out of my reach. He’s not taking my daggers to use against me; he’s disarming me just to prove he can. My blood boils. “My name is Violet,” I seethe. “I think my version fits you better.” He releases my wrist and stands, offering me a hand. “We’re not done yet.”
I swallow, refusing to think of other things that are a good fit at this angle.
“My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line.”
“There’s no need to shout. I can hear you just fine. The entire mountain can probably hear you.”
“You will not fall. I will not allow it.” The bands around my legs extend to my hands, and I feel the pulse of invisible energy. “You will trust me.”
“Why did you choose me?” I have to know, because as soon as we land, there are going to be questions. “Because you saved her.”
“You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning.” I gulp at the compliment, brushing it off. I was trained as a scribe, not a rider. “You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength. Since you apparently need to know before we land.”
“They’re a mated pair, Tairn and Sgaeyl. The strongest bonded pair in centuries.”
“I know,” he repeats. “And I could call you Violence like the wingleader.”
“Tell him if he harms you, I’ll scorch the ground where he stands.”
“No. Of course not. He warded your door the morning after the attack.” His expression clearly says I should know this. “I’m guessing he didn’t tell you?”
“Because we stole it from General Sorrengail’s office.”
“You’re staring. It’s going to get awkward in about thirty seconds if you don’t stop.”
“The same way you talk to Sgaeyl. We’re all gloriously, annoyingly linked. This is just one of the perks. Though I’m starting to wish I’d tried it sooner. The look on your face is priceless.”
He winks and turns back to the table. He. Fucking. Winked. And is that a hint of a smile?
“You never considered that it was you I couldn’t stay away from?”
“Get him out of my head,” I toss in Tairn’s direction. “You’ll get used to it,” Tairn responds.
“Maybe it was when I saw Oren holding a knife to your throat,” he says. “Or maybe it was when I realized the bruises on your neck were fingerprints and wanted to kill them all over again just so I could do it slowly. Maybe it was the first time I recklessly kissed you or when I realized I’m fucked because I can’t stop thinking about doing more than just kissing you.”
“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.” Xaden’s expression remains bland, bored even, but his eyes heat as his gaze drops to my mouth. “And you say this now, where people will see if you actually do.” My breath catches. “When did I ever give you the impression that I give a fuck what people think about me?” A corner of his mouth rises, and now it’s all I can concentrate on, damn him. “I only care what they think about you.”
“Lightning wielder.”
“I’m proud you’re mine.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, Violet.”
“Don’t leave me.” “Never. I’ll burn him alive before he takes a single step toward you.”
“Should I get the wingleader?” Tairn flat-out laughs in my head. “Shut up.” I
“Get stronger in wielding, and you’ll be able to do it, too. There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”
Tairn chortles. “Not a single fucking word out of you,” I warn.
Xaden’s done more than save me. He believed me when I told him Amber led the unbondeds to my room. He had an entire arsenal of daggers crafted just for me. He designed a saddle for Tairn so I can ride into battle with my peers. He’d protected me when I needed and taught me to defend myself so I wouldn’t require protection forever. And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.
“He’d never ask this of me. Never ask it of anyone. But I told him I would keep you safe, and that’s what I’m doing, keeping you safe.”
“I saw Aetos kiss you after Threshing and nearly lost my shit.”
“Don’t ever put your life at risk over something as trivial as talking to me again.” It’s as low as a growl against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
I gasp. That’s why he threw himself sideways, to shield me from my own wreckage.
“You’re mine, Violet.” I lift my chin. “Only if you’re mine.” “I’ve been yours for longer than you could ever imagine.”
“What was the fable again? One brother bonded to gryphon, one to dragon, and when the third grew jealous, he drew directly from the source, losing his soul and waging war on the other two.”
“Dain wouldn’t break a rule to save your life, Violet. What do you think he’d do if he had this knowledge?”
“Find a good hiding place, Andarna. I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt.” “Go for the throat,” she says,
I don’t need to ask. Liam is gone. Liam, who never complained about being my shadow, never hesitated to help, never bragged about being the best of our year. He died protecting me. Oh gods, and I just asked him if we’d ever really been friends an hour ago.
WHYYY! I can't stop crying !
That’s what Liam was trying to tell me. When a dragon dies, so does its rider. But apparently when a venin dies, so do the wyvern they created. All of them. That’s how we can save everyone on this battlefield.
“I will bet my life on you as I have from the first day,”
“I’m not saying we won’t fight or you won’t want to throw those daggers at me when I’m inevitably an ass, but I swear I will always strive to do better.”
“Brennan?” She stares at her brother in open-mouthed shock. Brennan just grins and opens his arms. “Welcome to the revolution, Violet.”
Whatttttt!!!!
