Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Great. Well, if you can back me up with those claws, I’d really appreciate it.” It chuffs twice, and I spare a glance down at its claws. Or should I say…paws. “Oh, fucking hell. You don’t have any claws?”

nooooo😭😂

“She’s destroyed my shoulder!” Jack cries, stumbling to his feet and distracting the others. “I can’t move it!” He clutches the joint, and I grin. “That’s the thing about having weak joints,” I say, palming another blade. “You know exactly where to strike.”

good.😈

“Kill her!” Jack orders, still clutching his shoulder as he backs away a few steps, then turns and runs in the opposite direction, disappearing into the tree line in no time. Fucking coward.

wuss!!!

“Behind you!” Xaden shouts. I pivot to see Oren’s sword held high, ready to separate my head from my shoulders, but the golden dragon snaps its jaw and Oren stumbles to the side with terror-filled eyes, as if he’s just now realized that it has teeth. I sidestep and knock the handle of my blade against the base of his skull. He crumples, unconscious, and I don’t wait to see him fall before turning back toward Tynan, who has his bloodied sword ready. “You can’t interfere!” Tynan shouts at Xaden, but I don’t dare look away from my opponent long enough to see how the wingleader reacts. “No, but I can narrate,” Xaden retorts.

ahahaha loop holes for the win!!!

Hahaha bet he cried like a little bitch too.

It’s Xaden. And rules be damned, he steps forward as though he intends to stop Tynan from killing me.

woooooooo yeah Xaddy!!!

Tynan’s mouth hangs open and he staggers backward, his head tilting so far back it’s nearly perpendicular to his torso. Shade envelops us both as he continues to back away.

oooo sounds like we have a new dragon in our midst. could it be the black one?

Standing with the golden one tucked under an enormous, scarred black wing is the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen in my life—the

Yeeeeees!!!

the unbonded black dragon Professor Kaori showed us in class.

called it! the feather tail was just a scout to find someone worthy!

I don’t even come close to reachi...

holy hell!

“Step aside, Silver One,” a deep, gruff, definitely male voice orders. I blink. Wait. What? Did he just speak to me? “Yes. You. Move.” There’s zero room for argument in his tone,

yeeeeeeeeeees!!! they only talk to their chosen!!!

The black dragon’s eyes narrow to glare at Tynan and he opens his mouth wide a second before fire shoots across the field, blasting heat against the side of my face and incinerating everything in its path…including Tynan.

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!😈

“You should end the enemy at your feet.” My eyebrows jerk upward. His mouth didn’t move. He spoke to me, but…his mouth didn’t move. Oh shit. Because he’s in my head.

cause you bonded!!!!

“I can’t kill an unconscious man.” I shake my head, though whether it’s in protest at his suggestion or a result of my confusion is up for debate. “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.”

you got the moral high ground Violet...but at what cost? 😅

Guess Xaden’s momentary concern for my life is over.

or Sgaeyl told him you just bonded a badass!

“You’re bleeding. Stop it.”

*snort* what a dragon thing to say 😂

Oh. Shit. He’s choosing…me.

finally piecing it together eh?

The golden one moves out from under the shelter of the big one’s wing. It’s tiny compared to the monstrosity before me, and apparently completely defenseless with the exception of those teeth, like a playful puppy.

Cuuuuuute!!!

A low, frustrated grumble sounds in his chest, and then he shocks me to the core as he stretches forward, his front leg becoming a ramp. Dragons never supplicate for anyone, and yet here he is, bowing to make it easier for me to climb on. It’s steep but manageable.

he wouldn't have picked you if he were looking just for the strongest. I assume he likes your brains and compassion, so he's willing to accommodate I guess.

My hands slip. “Fuck!” Scrambling for purchase, my hands rake down Tairn’s back as I skid past his wings, rapidly approaching the sharp scales of his morningstar tail. “No, no, NO!” He banks left and whatever hope I had of getting a handhold tumbles right off with me. I’m in free fall.

well SHIT!

I plummet toward the mountainous terrain beneath, and the sun catches the scales of the golden one far beneath me.

maybe it'll catch you?

“You’re making us look bad. Stop it.” I’m clasped in Tairn’s claws. He’s actually…caught me instead of finding me unworthy and letting me fall to my death.

yaaaaaay!

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

🥰 I like this dragon. He's got grumpy dad energy.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t think I’d make it this far.” A loud sigh resonates through my mind. “I didn’t think I would, either, so we have that in common.”

he didn't want to bond initially, probably misses his first rider too much...

“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.” Not a question. An order.

yes Daddy Tairn 😌😂

“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.” Tairn’s head inclines toward the golden as we approach, and she follows after us.

awww, so I guess maybe she wasn't scouting, he just felt very strongly about her morals and felt connected to her because of it?

“But…” I shake my head. “Dragons value strength and cunning and…ferocity in their riders.” None of which defines me. “Please, do tell me more about what I should value.” Sarcasm drips from his tone

lol he's got ya there 😂

A ferocious roar of celebration goes up among the dragons as we fly in, every head swinging our way, and I know it’s in deference to Tairn. So is the parting of the dragons at the very center of the field, making room for Tairn to land.

sounds like he's well respected among the dragons. they're all happy for him having bonded?

“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.”

lol awwww!!!! Taaaaaairnnnnnn!!!! 🥹❤️❤️❤️

Oh. Shit. I hadn’t spoken those words. I’d thought them. He can read my thoughts. “See? Smartest of your year.” So much for privacy. “You’ll never be alone again.” “That sounds more like a threat than a comfort,”

Ahahahahahahaha

“See, I can hang on just fine when you’re not moving.” Tairn tucks his wings up and looks over his shoulder at me with an expression that’s the closest thing to a dragon rolling his eyes that I’ve ever seen. “You need to dismount before I rethink my selection,

heheheheehe

There’s a sound from the slopes that reminds me of muttering…if dragons mutter. “They do and they are. Ignore it.” Again, there’s no room for argument in his tone. “Thanks,” I whisper, then slide down on my butt like he’s a bumpy piece of lethal playground equipment,

lol this "bumpy piece of lethal playground equipment" is a badass with a heart of gold 😂😂😂

She blinks. “Maybe I was saving you.” Her voice is higher, sweeter in my mind. My lips part, and the muscles in my face go slack with shock. “Didn’t anyone tell you that you’re not supposed to speak to humans who aren’t your rider? Don’t go getting yourself in trouble, Goldie,” I whisper. “From what I hear, dragons are pretty strict about breaking that rule.”

*gasp*.....

Mom forced me into the Riders Quadrant. She didn’t care if I lived or died as I crossed the parapet. The only thing she cares about now is how my flaws might mar her sterling reputation or how my bonding might further her own agenda. And now she’s staring at my dragon without even bothering to look down and see if I’m all right. Fuck. Her.

for real though, jeez...

“Tairneanach.” “Pronunciation could use some work.” Tairn’s voice rumbles through my head. “Hey, at least I remembered,” I think back in his general direction, wondering if he’ll hear me across the field. “At least I didn’t let you fall to your death.” He sounds utterly bored, but he definitely heard me.

Lol I love the inside the head dialog that noone else is privy to. I just imagine everyone staring at Violet awkwardly while shes talking inside her own head hahaha

“Andarnaurram.” The sweet, high voice of the golden fills my mind. “Andarna for short.” I feel the blood rush from my face, and the edges of my vision sway as I pivot on my good ankle, staring back across the field at where the golden dragon—Andarna—now stands between Tairn’s front legs. “Excuse me?”

OMG YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!! YOU GOT TWO DRAGONS!!!!!!!! TWWWWOOOOOO!!!!

“Tell her,” the golden insists. “Tairn. What am I supposed to—” I think at him. “Tell the roll-keeper her name,” Tairn echoes. “Violet?” the roll-keeper repeats. “Do you need a mender?” I turn back to the woman and clear my throat. “And Andarnaurram,” I whisper. Her eyes fly wide. “Both dragons?” she squawks. I nod. And all hell breaks loose.

ahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! the girl they thought was a "liability" not only bonded a dragon, but TWO! but not just 2, TWO INCREDIBLLY UNIQUE DRAGONS! One is a legend, and the first ever feathertail to bond!!! Take that Jack Barlowe!!!

“Tynan won’t be coming,” I whisper, guilt gnawing at my stomach. “That is not your kill to take credit for,” Tairn mentally growls.

lol I don't think she was taking credit 😅

“What the hell do you mean you think it needs surgery?” Jack bellows from my left. “I mean, it looks like the weapon severed a couple of ligaments, but we’ll have to get you to the healers to be sure,” the other instructor says, his voice infinitely patient as he secures Jack’s sling. I look Jack straight in those evil eyes and smile. I’m done being scared of him. He ran back in that meadow.

ahahahahaha. yas girl! be smug as hell!

“Hiding behind our instructors now, Sorrengail?” Jack’s uninjured fist curls. “I didn’t hide out there, and I’m not hiding here.” I raise my chin. “I’m not the one who ran.”

ha! got eem!!!

“As aggressive as Baide might be, from the way Tairn’s looking at you, he’ll have no problem scorching your bones into the earth if you take another step toward his rider.” Jack stares at me in disbelief. “You?” “Me.” The throbbing in my ankle is down to a manageable, dull ache, even standing on it.

so back the fuck up! 😂

“Everyone who needs to know already knows.” I lock eyes with Jack.

oh hell nah! he tried to kill a dragon! rat his ass out!!!

“Stay close to the wingleader until we return,” Tairn orders. Surely he meant to say squad leader. “You heard what I said.” Or not. I glance around and spot Xaden standing across the field, his arms crossed and legs spread as he stares at Tairn.

oh? and why would we do that? Does Black Daddy know something about Xaddy that we don't?

“Trina?” I ask as he lets me go. One by one, they shake their heads, looking to the others for answers. An impossible heaviness settles in my heart, and I search for any other reason. “I mean…there’s a possibility she’s just unbonded, right?” Sawyer shakes his head, sorrow slackening his shoulders. “I saw her fall from the back of an Orange Clubtail.” My heart sinks.

🥺 awww the quiet one...

My mouth opens, then shuts like a fish out of water as I search for any reply that isn’t fuck off.

no no...go with your instinct...

“I know she’s too small to bear a rider—” “That hasn’t been tested,” I say defensively even though I know it’s true. The physics just don’t match up.

awww maaaaan. I really thought it would be OK since Violet is also small...

“They’re a mated pair, Tairn and Sgaeyl. The strongest bonded pair in centuries.” My mind whirs. Mated pairs can’t be separated for long or their health diminishes, so they’re always stationed together. Always. Which means—oh gods.

ahahahahahahahahaha!!!! you two are STUCK TOGETHER!!!! How's that for forced proximity?! 😂😂😂

“Xaden was there when you defended Andarna, and then Tairn just…showed up?” he asks slowly. “Yes. That’s what I just said.” Was the timeline confusing him? “What are you getting at?” “Don’t you see what happened? What Xaden’s done?”

more than you've ever done in your entire life?🙄 😒

“Please, do tell me what it is you think I’ve done.” A shape emerges from the shadows,

XADDY!!!! Right on time!🥰🥰🥰

“You manipulated Threshing.” Dain’s hands drop from my shoulders, and he turns to face our wingleader, the set of his shoulders rigid as he puts himself between us.

come again? how?🤨