Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Maybe I should rephrase my question. If I were to tell you something and ask you specifically to keep this one thing between the two of us, would you agree? Are we friends, or am I just your assignment?” He pauses while I shut the door, and I can tell he’s thinking by the way he drums his fingers on the handle of the cart. “Would me keeping it to myself alter your safety in any way?” “No.” I catch up to him and we start along the incline that will eventually split into two tunnels—one toward the dormitory and the other toward commons. “There’s nothing you can do, and that’s the point.” “We’re friends. Tell me.” He grimaces. “I’ll keep it to myself.”

yay!!! Liam is awesome! 🥰

Point is, Jack is going to challenge me today, and when he does, you can’t step in, no matter what.” His blue eyes widen. “Vi, if we tell Riorson, he can put a stop to it.” “No.” I reach for his hand and lay mine on top of it. “He can’t.” My stomach twists, but at least I’m not puking like I did when I found out. “There’s only so much Xaden can do to protect me both here and once we’re on the front lines. You and I both know that if he stops this, there will be an uproar in the quadrant after what happened to Amber.”

she's right...

And everything I have is currently in a vial tucked into the tiny pocket at my waist.

good!

I don’t bother with breakfast, but I pay close attention to every single thing on Jack’s tray as I walk by, noting what’s there…and what isn’t.

oh no! did he not take the poisoned thing?

At least Xaden isn’t here, which means Liam kept his word.

shit.

“Mat seventeen, Jack Barlowe from First Wing versus…” His eyebrows rise, and he takes a deep breath. “Violet Sorrengail.”

Even the prof. knows this isn't gonna end well.

“No fucking way,” Ridoc mutters, shaking his head.

at least we got Ridoc watching. 😭

“Tell me I can break the promise,” Liam begs, and the pleading look in his eyes tells me exactly what a shitty position I’ve put him in. “The third-years are off doing third-year things,” I tell him as my toes touch the mat. “You can’t get him here in time, but I know what it means to you to keep your word. Especially with him. Go ahead.”

awwww poor Liam. 🥺 at least she let him try so Xaden won't hold it against him.

He looks from me to Ridoc. “Guard her like you’re me.” “You mean like I’m six inches taller and built like a bull?” Ridoc gives him a thumbs-up. “Sure. I’ll do my best. In the meantime, you’d better run.”

LMFAO!!! oh Ridoc.

Liam’s gaze finds mine. “Stay alive.” “Working on it, and not just for my sake.” I give him a smile. “Thanks for being a great shadow.” His eyes widen a split second before he sprints out of the gym.

oh shit don't hit him with he good bye words!!!

“No wielding,” Emetterio reminds us. “Tap out or knockout earns you a victory.” Pretty sure everyone gathered around this mat knows that Jack isn’t going for either of those options. If he gets his hands around my neck, I’m dead.

doesn't matter if she taps out, he's say his hand slipped 😒

“Go for the gullet,” Tairn suggests. “I don’t have the energy to block you out right now, so I’m going to need you to be quiet for a few minutes here.” An answering growl is the only response I get.

go for the gat' dayum gullet!

“Offense. Now. Strike first,” Tairn snaps. “Not helping!”

TAIRN! SHUT UP!

“Bet you wish you could throw that blade, don’t you?” he taunts, knowing I won’t break a rule when it can hurt someone in the matches going on around us. “Bet you wish you didn’t know what it feels like to dig out one of my knives, don’t you?” I retort.

HA! V 1 J 0

His sadistic grin and a red rim around his eyes are all I can see

second read: wait...I thought it started after his death? is he already a venin at this point?

“What the hell is wrong with him?” someone asks as Jack writhes. “Oranges,” I whisper to Ridoc as my body finally gives out. “He’s allergic to oranges.” I fall into nothingness.

ahahahahahahaha!!!!! please tell me nobody Has an epipen! 😂😂😂

It’s Xaden. His hair is tousled, like he’s been tugging at it, and he’s flipping a dagger end over end, catching it by the tip without so much as looking at it before sheathing it at his side. “Oranges?”

ahahaha I bet he can't decide whether to be mad she kept him in the dark, or impressed with her ingenuity 😂😂😂

“You turned oranges into a weapon, Violence?” I wiggle to a sitting position and shrug. “I worked with what I had.” “Seeing as it kept you alive—kept us alive—I can’t really argue, and I’m not going to ask how it is you always know who you’ll end up challenging.” There’s definite anger in that gaze but a touch of relief, too.

lol the one secret she seems able to keep from him I guess 😂

“Telling Ridoc allowed Emetterio to get him here in time. Unfortunately, he’s five beds down from you, and he’ll live, unlike the second-year a row over. You could have killed him and saved us all a lot of drama.”

damn it

“And you haven’t exactly been around to talk about anything in weeks. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that kiss scared you.” Shit. I didn’t mean to say that. “That’s not up for discussion.” Something flashes in his eyes and is quickly replaced by a cool mask of indifference. “Seriously?” I should know better, considering he’s avoided it this long. “It was a mistake. You and I are going to be stationed together for the rest of our lives, never able to escape the other. Getting involved—even on a physical level—is a colossal blunder. No point talking about it.”

oh but it would be a glorious toe curling blunder!

“Then feel free, but it doesn’t mean I have to be a part of the conversation. We’re both allowed our boundaries, and this is one of mine.”

that sounds an awful lot like guarding your powerful emotions. careful Xaddy your delulu is showing!

“Apparently I can’t trust Liam to report deadly situations or Rhiannon to train you on the mat, seeing how easily Barlowe had you pinned, so as of this moment, I’m taking over.” “Taking over what?” My eyes narrow. “Everything when it comes to you.”

oooooooooo! we bout get some HEATED SPARRING!!!!!

At least Liam has been given the time to go train himself a couple of mats over against Dain—a first.

GO LIAM!!! WOOOOO!!!!

“The problem isn’t necessarily your fighting style. You’re fast, and you’ve become pretty damned formidable since August. The problem is you’re using daggers that are too easy to pluck out of your hands. You need weaponry designed for your body type.” At least he didn’t say weaknesses. I study the blade in his hand. It’s beautiful, with a solid black hilt engraved with Tyrrish knots, old, mythical runes of intricate swirls and ties. The blade itself is clearly honed to lethal perfection. “It’s spectacular.” “It’s yours.” My head snaps up, but there’s no lie in his onyx eyes. “I had it made for you.” His lips curve slightly. “What?” My mouth opens, and my chest tightens. He took the time to have it made? Shit. That gives me feelings I really don’t want to have. Soft, confusing feelings.

🥰 awww

“There are a dozen of these daggers strapped to my body, so start disarming me.” He lifts a sardonic brow. “Unless you don’t know how to handle an opponent on top of you, and if so, that’s a whole other issue.” “I know how to handle you on top of me,” I challenge quietly. He lowers his mouth to my ear. “You won’t like what happens if you push me.” “Or maybe I will.” I turn just enough that my lips brush the shell of his ear. He jerks up, and the heat in his gaze makes me all too aware of everywhere our bodies connect. “Disarm me before I test that theory in front of everyone in this gym.” “Interesting. I didn’t take you for an exhibitionist.” “Keep pushing, and I guess you’ll find out.” His gaze drops to my mouth.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! it's everything I hoped for and more 😍🥰😂

“I thought you said kissing me was a mistake.” I don’t care if the entire quadrant is watching if that means he’ll kiss me again. “It was.” He smirks. “I’m just teaching you that blades aren’t the only way to disarm an opponent. Tell me, Violence, are you disarmed?” Arrogant ass.

ooooooooo! YOU TEASE!!!!

He pushes me to my physical limit every session but never further, usually leaving me a boneless, sweaty heap on the sparring gym floor, gasping for breath. That’s usually when Imogen reminds me that I’m needed in the weight room. I hate them both. Kind of. It’s hard to argue with the results when I’m learning to take down the strongest fighter in the quadrant.

you didn't wanna be babied lol

And the moments the relic burns in my back and I feel like I might crawl out of my own skin if the power building within me doesn’t release reminds me that I still don’t have a signet. It’s already almost been three months. Every morning I wake up wondering if today is the day I’ll spontaneously combust.

second read: lol you just need to get laid to let off that steam 😂

“Tara said Carr thinks he was supposed to be able to wield fire, but it just overwhelmed him in that first rush and…” “He went up like a torch,”

brings a new meaning to the turn "burn out"

He opens the door to the dormitory for me, and I walk inside. The motion is so easy that I know it’s not only practiced but second nature, which is at complete odds with, well…everything I’ve come to know about him. I pause, looking at him like we’re meeting for the first time. “What?” he asks, closing the door behind us and shutting out the blustering cold. “You opened the door for me.” “Old habits die hard.” He shrugs. “My father taught me that—” His voice dies abruptly, and his gaze falls away, every muscle in his body locking as though he’s preparing for an attack. My heart aches at the look that crosses his face, recognizing it well. Grief. “Don’t you think it’s a little cold for flying?” I ask, changing the subject in an attempt to help.

omg. that started out so sweet and went so dark so fast 😭

“I always felt that we resolved any of those questions years ago,” Xaden says, his voice low, but he’s gone taut as a bowstring next to me.

hmmm...something tells me mama sorregail had something to do with those scars on his back...

“Just reminding her that I paid the price for my loyalty.” His brow furrows, but he stares ahead of us. “Paid what price?” The question slips out before I can stop my foolish tongue. I can’t help but remember what Dain said, that Xaden has reasons to never forgive my mother. “Boundaries, Violence.” His head lowers for the span of a heartbeat, and when it rises, he’s wearing that polished give-no-fucks mask he’s so good at donning.

yeah...he doesn't wanna tell her, cause mama Sorrengail did something fucked up....no matter how piss Violet is with her, that's still her mom. plus what ever it is, it's classified according to Dain

“We’re all flying today?” I ask, following as he walks toward the trio. “We’re all learning today. You need to learn how to stay on, and I need to learn why the hell it’s so hard for you,” he answers. “Andarna needs to learn how to keep up. Tairn needs to learn how to share his space in a tighter flight formation, and every other dragon but Sgaeyl is too scared to fly closer.” Tairn chuffs in agreement as we approach. “And what is Sgaeyl learning?” I ask, eyeing the giant blue dragon. Xaden grins. “She’s been leading for almost three years now. She’s going to have to learn how to follow. Or at least practice.” Tairn’s chuff sounds suspiciously like a laugh, and she snaps at him, baring her teeth and coming within inches of his neck.

full day. lol

“Dragon relationships are absolutely incomprehensible,” I murmur. “Yeah? You should try a human one sometime. Just as vicious, but less fire.”

is that an offer? 😏

But I don’t see Dain. Where the hell is Dain? He would never miss this.

speaking of Dain and Liam. who won their sparring match?!

“First thing. Who wants to be in command?” Imogen asks, looking at the ten of us. Ridoc throws his hand in the air. Rhiannon turns and forces it back down. “No.” She shakes her head. “You’ll turn this into some kind of prank.” “Fair point.” He shrugs.

lol. no argument he knows who he is in this group. comedic relief 😂

“Next?” Imogen glances at each of us. “We could steal Panchek’s underw—” Ridoc starts before Rhiannon slams her hand over his mouth. “And that’s why we don’t let you lead.” She arches a brow at him.

hahaha

Imogen can mind-wipe recent memories—” “And I’m fast,” she adds. Something she has in common with Xaden.

second read: I keep thinking that maybe that's imogens second signet if all the marked ones have them, but then Xaden is also fast if not faster, and I doubt he has 3 signet....unless Imogen is holding back so as to not rouse suspicion... is it just lesser magic they're using maybe?

“You’re going to tell me I’ve lost my mind, but if we pull it off, we’ll win for sure.” I might not be enough like my mother to win her approval, but I know where she keeps the most valuable information. “And?” “We’re going to break into my mother’s office.”

woooo! hell yeah!!! Cue Eye of the Tiger!

We’ll rise or fall on our own merit with this timeline, and we’ve wasted the last two hours waiting for night to fall so it would even be possible.

you wasted 2 out of 3 hours? 😨

A slow grin spreads across my face. “Hey, Second Squad. I know what we need to steal.” It takes a matter of minutes for us to haul the map down and cut it away from its frame, then another to roll it, securing it with leather ties Imogen pulls out of her satchel.

smart.that would be Hella bad in enemy hands.

“Please work. Please work. Please work,” Imogen chants. The map disappears out of her hands and reappears down the hallway in Rhiannon’s.

yes!

Third Wing’s best offering is a stunned, wide-eyed scribe, stolen straight from his bed, and given the way his mouth isn’t moving… Yep, someone’s signet power takes away speech. The poor thing is going to be traumatized when they finally let him go.

hahahahahahahaha

“And how do we know this map is, in fact, current?” Kaori asks, holding his reclaimed journal under one arm. There’s no stopping the smile that spreads across my face. “Because we stole it from General Sorrengail’s office.” Absolute mayhem breaks out, some of the riders rushing the stage as professors battle their way toward us, but I ignore it all as Xaden tilts one corner of that beautiful mouth and tips an imaginary hat to me, bowing his head for a heartbeat before bringing his gaze back to hold mine. Satisfaction fills every ounce of my being as I smile up at him. It doesn’t matter how the vote comes down. I’ve already won.

ahahahahahahaha! do it all for the Wingleader praise🙌👏👏👏

“Violet?” My head whips toward the gate, and my heart combusts in a series of erratic beats that leaves me clutching my chest with the best kind of shock. No way. There’s no way. I stumble for the gate, forgetting to be stoic, to be emotionally untouchable, as she breaks into a run, her arms opening just before we collide. She sweeps me up, yanking me against her chest and squeezing tight. She smells like dirt and dragon and the coppery tang of blood, but I don’t care. I hug her back just as hard. “Mira.” I bury my face against her shoulder, and my eyes burn as she rests her hand on top of the very braid she taught me how to do.

awww I'm gonna cry!!!

You didn’t die!” 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. “Sorrengails are weird,” I hear Imogen state. “You have no idea,” Dain answers, but when I turn to look, his lips are curved into the first genuine smile I’ve seen from him in months. “Shut up, Aetos,” Mira barks,

hahaha yeah Shut up Aetos!

“You mean the book I snagged just in case Mom got a wild hair and decided to clean out your things while you were in the quadrant?” Her smile morphs into a grin. “I have it at Montserrat. Figured you’d be pissed if you graduated and it was gone. I mean, whatever would you do if you forgot a minute detail of how the gallant riders took out the army of wyvern and the venin who sucked the land dry of magic?” I blink. “Shit. I can’t remember. But I guess I’ll be able to read it again soon!” A bubble of joy rises in my chest. “You are the best.”

the book that was for some reason concerned forbidden text in the archives...

“Have you been stationed with any riders of mated pairs?” I ask Mira as I close the door behind us. “One,” she answers, her eyes narrowing on the darkened path in front of the house. “Why?” “I’m just wondering how long they can be separated.” “Turns out, about three days is their max.” Xaden steps out of the shadows.

YAAAAAAY!!!! XADDY!!!!

“Yes,” Mira says from the head of the table, then flicks her wrist and sends Ridoc flying backward. “And keep your feet off the table.”

FEET OFF THE TABLE!!!😂😂😂

“Everything you’re taught at Basgiath is theory. You analyze past attacks and learn those very…theoretical combat maneuvers. But things out here don’t always go according to plan. So why don’t we talk about all the ways things can go sideways, so you’ll know what to do when they do, as opposed to arguing that the keep shouldn’t have fallen?”

excellent point