Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

The guys are mostly shirtless because they think shirts give their opponent something to grab onto. Personally, I’m not arguing with their logic, just enjoying the view…respectfully, of course,

Damn it, I don’t want to find a single thing about Xaden Riorson admirable, and yet here he is, being all annoyingly admirable. Asshole.

My breath catches and my body warms, the traitorous bitch. You are not attracted to toxic men, I remind myself, and yet, here I am, getting all attracted.

It’ll cost you thirty seconds, but death costs you more.” Awesome.

I’ve survived seven weeks in this damned quadrant, and this course isn’t going to beat me today.

“Here’s the thing, Sorrengail. Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.”

“I’d be loyal to your sister, too,” Tynan says, turning around and grinning as he walks backward. “She’s one hell of a rider, and that ass. I saw her right before Parapet and damn, Violet. She’s hot.”

It’s going to die just because it’s smaller, weaker than the other dragons…just like me.

Standing with the golden one tucked under an enormous, scarred black wing is the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen in my life—the unbonded black dragon Professor Kaori showed us in class. I don’t even come close to reaching its ankle.

“He would kill you if given the same chance.” I glance down at Oren, still unconscious in the grass beside my feet. It’s not like I can argue that astute assessment. “Well, that’s a statement on his character. Not mine.”

“One does not live a century without being well aware of the space one takes up. Now get on.”

“My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line.”

“I’m just…not as strong as other riders.” “I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail.”

Maybe it didn’t choose a rider, but it will live to decide again next year, and that’s all that matters. Or maybe it will see that we humans aren’t so great after all.

“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.”

I’m alive, and I’m no longer a cadet. I’m a rider.

Heat rushes through every vein, wakes every nerve ending. I hate the reaction of my body to the sight of him, but I can’t deny it. His appeal is so fucking inconvenient.

Xaden Riorson is now in the business of keeping his mortal enemy alive.

What the hell is wrong with me? Dain is gorgeous and kind and a really, really good man. He’s honorable and my very best friend. So why don’t we have any chemistry?

Frustration is a living, breathing thing inside me, eating up all rational thought.

“The reason we’ll never be anything more than friends isn’t because of your rules. It’s because you have no faith in me.

“Start mentally reciting whatever bookish shit you’ve learned.”

He wraps my cloak around my shoulders and buttons it at my collar like I’m something precious.

He’s the last person I should be craving, but lust and logic never seem to go hand in hand.

so as of this moment, I’m taking over.” “Taking over what?” My eyes narrow. “Everything when it comes to you.”

It was a mistake. Well, if that memory doesn’t cool me right off.

The pain in his eyes is the kind that never dies, the kind that rises like an unpredictable tide and floods the shoreline without mercy.

“Heaton, what about you?” I ask. “I can breathe underwater,” they answer. I blink. “Awesome, but I don’t think that’s going to come in handy if we do this. Emery?”

Irrational, giddy laughter bubbles up. “I didn’t die! You’re not an only child!” We both burst into laughter, and tears track down my cheeks.

“Do you boys just want to whip it out and measure? It would be faster.”

“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.

dragon cannot modify their seat to serve their rider. You have worked just as hard—if not harder—than every rider in this quadrant. Just because your body is built differently than the others doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to keep your seat.

I am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been. I am infinite.

Tairn roars with the unmistakable sound of pride. “Lightning wielder.”

“I’m proud you’re mine.” Andarna’s voice wavers, the blinks of her eyes becoming slower. “Even if I need a bath.”

Mom will be so proud to know I’m just like the others now. Just like her. My empty belly turns over again, and I retch like my body is trying to expel the guilt.

“But do not wallow in guilt, Silver One. Whatever you feel is natural. Allow yourself to feel it but then let it go.

“Stop being so fucking honorable and fuck me, Xaden.”

Finding a jar on my nightstand with a handful of spring violets? My heart swells. I’m in so much fucking trouble.

We can live as cowards or die as riders.

Their parents died to expose the truth while mine sacrificed my brother to keep this heinous secret.

“Thank you, Liam. Thank you for being my shadow. Thank you for being my friend.”

“I will bet my life on you as I have from the first day,”

Funny how people rename everything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

She exists, and I get turned on. I’ve come to accept that particular truth over the last year.