Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

The dragon’s giant nostrils flare. “You’re bleeding. Stop it.” My arm. “It’s not that simple when you’ve been run through with a—” I shake my head again. Am I seriously arguing with a dragon? This is so fucking surreal. “You know what? That’s a great idea.” I manage to cut off what remains of my right shirtsleeve and wrap it around the wound, holding one end of the fabric with my teeth as I tie it tight to apply pressure and slow the bleeding. “There. Better?” “It will do.” He tilts his head at me. “Your hands are bound, too. Do you bleed often?” “I try not to.” He scoffs. “Let’s go, Violet Sorrengail.” He lifts his head, and the golden dragon peeks out from under his wing. “How do you know my name?” I gawk up at him. “And to think, I’d almost forgotten just how loquacious humans are.” He sighs, the gust of his breath rattling the trees. “Get on my back.”

A fucking comedian here. 2nd read: Tairn really starts out strong. ✊