Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Stay the hell away from Xaden Riorson.”

Here we go 🙄

“You’re next, Sorrengail!” Jack bellows, and I jerk my gaze from the ravine to see him pointing at me, a sinister smile curving his mouth. Then he comes for me, his strides eating up the distance between us with horrifying speed. Move. Now.

If I fall, fine, that would be my error. But I’m not about to let this asshole murder me.

Real

It’s not news, of course. He’s a second-year rider, and all riders can perform lesser magics once their dragons choose to channel their power…but it’s…Dain.

A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. Once bonded, riders can’t live without their dragons, but most dragons can live just fine after us. It’s why they choose carefully, so they’re not humiliated by picking a coward, not that a dragon would ever admit to making a mistake.

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

Yapper final boss

I lift my chin. “Tairneanach.”

“Andarnaurram.” The sweet, high voice of the golden fills my mind. “Andarna for short.”

MY SHAYLA

“That’s impossible.” He lifts his hands, as though ready to cup my face. “Let me see.”

“You’re using this to get your revenge on my family!” Amber shouts at Xaden. “For not supporting your father’s rebellion!” That’s a low fucking blow.

It’s not that I don’t like him. To my absolute annoyance, he’s actually…nice. Courteous, funny, and ridiculously helpful. He makes it difficult to loathe his constant presence, even though he leaves wood shavings in little piles everywhere he goes—which is everywhere I go now. The guy is constantly whittling with that smaller knife of his. Yesterday he finished the figurine of a bear.

xaden punching the air rn

“Then I was sent to Tirvainne to be fostered by Duke Lindell, the same as Riorson. My little sister was sent elsewhere.” “They separated you?” My jaw practically unhinges. Neither fostering nor separating siblings is mentioned in any text I’ve read about the rebellion, and I’ve read a ton.

“Xaden’s never?” He pauses. “Sixty-eight of the officers had kids under the age of twenty. There are one hundred and seven of us, all who carry rebellion relics.” “The oldest is Xaden,” I murmur. He nods. “And the youngest is almost six now. Her name is Julianne.” I think I’m going to be sick. “Is she marked?” “She was born with it.” I understand it was done by dragon, but what the fucking hell?

with…whatever this electric tension is between us as we stand there, our eyes locked in combat.

“I’m sorry for not asking for the memory.” He drops his hand to my shoulder. “You’d better get to class.” And then he squeezes my shoulder gently before walking away.

Did he just...

“Relax. It’s just me.” A ghost of a touch skims my cheek.

“I’m proud you’re mine.” Andarna’s voice wavers,

“Get the fuck away from her with that nonsense.” Xaden pushes Dain’s chest and tugs me out of his arms,

“Stop. Fucking. Coddling. Her.” Xaden bites out every word at Dain. “She is not a child. She’s a full-grown woman.

Of course, it might have broken mine forever.

THE DUDE THAT KEPT TRYNA KILL U? WE BOOHOOIN OVER HIIIMMM? Violet, darling, lock in

“Don’t fall for me.”

oh brother this guy STINKS

Finding a jar on my nightstand with a handful of spring violets?

They’re celebrating his mother’s death. “You can go. You should go. This is…” I shake my head. “I go where you go.” His hand tightens over mine.

I’m in love with Xaden.

AYEEEEEE WE ALL BEEN KNEW

“I’ve wanted you from the first second I saw you, Violence,” he admits.

“That thing was going to take a chunk out of Tairn. You’ve saved my life and now it’s my turn. No matter what you think of me for keeping secrets, we’re friends, Violet.”

“It’s been. My honor.” Liam’s chest rattles as his lungs struggle.

Brennan just grins and opens his arms. “Welcome to the revolution, Violet.”