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“Is it true Riorson saved you that night?” I nod. “Xaden is a complicated subject.”
“Even when Brennan and Dad were alive, we weren’t like…that.”
used to get why the villains would choose to corrupt their souls and become venin, and now…” Her brow furrows. “Now you empathize with the villain?” I tease.
“Turns out, about three days is their max.” Xaden steps out of the shadows.
“What type of fortifications are there? Are we talking a haphazard wooden structure? Or something more substantial?” “Like they had time to build a fortress overnight,” Ridoc mutters. “It has to be wooden, right?”
“Now that’s settled.” Mira reaches under the table and pulls out a set of models, putting a six-inch stone keep in the center of the table. “Catch.” One by one, she tosses painted wooden models of dragons at us, keeping one for herself.
That was his voice…in my fucking head.
“You’re more than aware that Sgaeyl and Tairn are mated.” “Three days?” Dain fires back, leaning in. “You couldn’t make it three days?” “It has nothing to do with him,” I interrupt, setting my dragon down with a little more force than necessary. “That’s up to Tairn and Sgaeyl.”
“Now, now, you’ll give our little communication secret away if you can’t keep from being so…violent.”
She glances at me, then back at him. “You two have been best friends since you were five years old. Figure your shit out.”
“Mated dragons typically bond riders in the same year for a reason. You cannot expect your assigned wing or her instructors to let you both fly off every three days.” “Wasn’t my choice.” He shrugs.
“Because you can’t live this way, Violet. You’ll be the one who ends up missing the training you need, because he’s the more powerful of the two of you right now.
“She’s all right,” I cry, my head falling into my hands. “I didn’t leave her to die. She’s alive.”
I lean forward into Andarna’s shoulder, sagging against her. “She’s alive. She’s alive. She’s alive.” I repeat it until I believe it.
“Just asking.” I take a fighting stance. “Let’s go.” The next day, I ask him what his favorite food is in the middle of Battle Brief, using our mental connection. Pretty sure I hear him drop something at the back of the room before he answers. “Chocolate cake. Stop being weird.”
seated through, either, we’re perched on a mountain peak with Tairn and Sgaeyl when I ask him how he knows Liam, just to see if he’ll tell me the truth. “We were fostered together.
“Something like what those silver scars on your back are from.” I hold my breath, waiting for the answer, waiting for him to say anything that might let me in. Even from twenty feet away, I can see him tense. “Why do you want to know?”
“Why don’t you want to tell me?” Sgaeyl startles, then launches into the air, leaving Tairn and me behind. “Are you pushing for a reason?” Tairn asks. “Can you give me one not to?” “He cares for you. That’s already hard enough for him.” I scoff. “He cares about keeping me alive. There’s a difference.” “Not for him there isn’t.”
“What do you think our assignment is going to be?” Liam asks from my right as we stand in formation in the center of the courtyard with the rest of Fourth Wing. “Deigh
“Why do you think riders wear black anyway?” “Because it’s badass,” Ridoc answers from behind me. “So it’s harder to see when we bleed,” Imogen chimes in. “Forget I asked,” I mumble,
“Little busy right now.” “Oh no, am I distracting you?” A smile curves my mouth. Shit, am I flirting? Maybe.
Offense and defense? This afternoon should be interesting.
“I hear it’s all the fashion,” Tairn brags.
forming a triangular plate before rising above his shoulders to a saddle with strapped, secure stirrups. “That’s a saddle.”
Love
“I can’t use that.” I shake my head. “It’s not allowed.” “I decide what’s allowed and what’s not,” Tairn growls, lowering his head to my level and blasting me with a chuff of steam.
Xaden agrees as he approaches, and I briefly wonder where he’d gone that he’s back so quickly.
you don’t use it, I’ll take personal offense.” He folds his arms across his chest and studies the rigging. “Considering I had it made for you and just about got myself burned alive in the process of trying to get it on him.” He lifts a brow at Tairn. “Even though he helped design it, I might add.” “The first models were unacceptable, and you had the gall to pinch my chest scales when clumsily assembling it this morning.” Tairn’s golden eyes narrow on Xaden.
“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.”
“You’re welcome.” He turns but leans into my space, and a shiver dances down my spine when his lips brush my ear. “Consider my favor fulfilled.”
wide as he stares at Tairn. “No, it’s a collar,” Tairn snips, snapping his teeth together. Dain backs up a few steps.
“Good.” Xaden nods once and turns toward me. “Bet it would be even more awkward if I kissed you now, huh?” Yes, please. “The next time we kiss had better not be just to piss off Dain.” The next time had better only be because we want it.
course you thought about—” I pause before climbing when a flash of gold gallops toward me. “Andarna?” “I want to battle, too.” She skids to a halt directly in front of me. My mouth opens and shuts. Andarna has been flying with us, and for short times, she can keep up with Tairn, but the way those scales shine in the sun is a beacon for…everyone. But if I can have a saddle, then—
I’ve lived twenty years and never felt as alive as I do in this moment.
Age: 20
Tairn’s head is already turned in that direction. “Dragons.” I glance over my shoulder toward Liam and Rhiannon and see that Tairn must have relayed the message, because we break formation, scattering as three dragons launch from the cliff above us, diving in different directions.
“Andarna?” If something happens to her because First Wing is out for blood… “Fireproof, remember?”
“Already on my way. We’re twenty miles out.” The edge of panic lacing his tone puts a knot of fear in my throat, which only grows when I see Deigh and Liam locked in battle above us with a familiar Orange Scorpiontail—Baide. Jack. “We have to help Liam.”
“Liam!” The scream tears from my throat as Jack kicks his boot into Liam’s stomach, forcing Liam’s body off the blade…and Deigh.
No. My throat closes. I refuse to lose him. Not when he’s dedicated so many months of his life to keeping me alive. Failing isn’t an option. It’s just…not.
That sizzle of magic grows to a lethal, swirling vortex of energy, and though my feet are still firmly grounded, the power rises to a breaking point and the roof of my Archives disintegrates. Power crackles above me, swirls around me, wraps along my feet below me.
I am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been. I am infinite.
Jack is dead. I killed him. I’m the reason his parents will get a letter, the reason his name will be etched into stone.
“Good. Good. That’s good. Thank you, Andarna. I know how much that cost you.” I look up into her golden eyes, and she blinks slowly back. “Worth it.”
“Damn, Sorrengail!” Sawyer calls out. “Lightning? You’ve been holding out on us!” Lightning I used to take a life.
“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.
“The world is a better place without Barlowe in it. We both know that. Do I wish I’d been the one to end his miserable life? Absolutely. But what you did will save countless others. He was nothing more than a bully and was only going to get worse as he grew more powerful. His dragon will choose another rider when she’s ready. I’m glad he’s dead. I am glad you killed him.”
“You just want her to be like you,” Dain argues. “A cold-blooded killer. Soon you’ll be telling her that it’s all right, you get used to the killing.”
“This isn’t primary school. This is war—and you heard me say it once before, but the ugly truth those not on the front lines choose to forget is there are always body bags in war.”
“By killing people?” I cry. If Sgaeyl is right, and signets reflect who we are at our core, then I’m exactly as Xaden nicknamed me…Violence.
“Tairn can get it off himself. It was one of his many design stipulations.”
