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Have to admit, it would be nice if a high-ranking rider from my province gave a shit if the rest of us from the province lived or died.
“Garrick is our best fighter, but Imogen is right up there with him, and she’s a hell of a lot more patient,” Xaden notes, which is just ludicrous considering she didn’t seem too patient while breaking my arm.
I can hold their hands and make them a bunch of bullshit empty promises about everyone making it through if that helps them sleep, but in my experience, the truth is far more valuable.”
“In war, people die. It’s not glorious like the bards sing about, either. It’s snapped necks and two-hundred-foot falls. There’s nothing romantic about scorched earth or the scent of sulfur. This”—he gestures back toward the citadel—“isn’t some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It’s hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home…to whatever’s left of our homes.
“So if you won’t get your shit together and fight to live, then no. You’re not going to make it.”
“When do we get to kill Violet Sorrengail?” a guy toward the back asks. My blood turns to ice.
The murmur of assent among the group sends a jolt of terror down my spine.
He’ll…handle me? My muscles thaw with the heat of indignation. I’m not some inconvenience to be handled. My short-lived admiration of Xaden is over.
“Her mother is responsible for the execution of my mom and sister. I should have done more than just snap her shoulder.”
“Not her daughter. Punishing children for the sins of their parents is the Navarrian way, not the Tyrrish.”
“In case you didn’t notice, she’s in the same death sentence of a college,” Garrick retorts. “Seems like she’s already suffering the same fate.”
Am I seriously watching them debate over whether I should be punished for being Lilith Sorrengail’s daughter?
No wonder he’s risen so high in rank. Shadow wielders are incredibly rare and highly coveted in battle, able to disorient entire drifts of gryphons, if not take them down, depending upon the signet’s strength.
“What, Aetos hasn’t warned you not to get caught alone in the dark with me yet?”
“Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”
My breath abandons me with a sharp exhale. He has the kind of power that could end me without him having to so much as lift a finger
I hate how beautiful he is, how lethal his abilities make him as he strides toward me, shadows curling around his footsteps.
He’s like one of those poisonous flowers I’ve read about from the Cygnis forests to the east. His allure is a warning not to get too close, and I am definitely too close.
“The neck-snapping first-year who’s very publicly vowed to slaughter you,”
“He’d probably think twice about plotting your murder if you threw a few daggers at his head.”
“Because the honor of my murder belongs to you?” I challenge.
like my body knows that whatever action I take next will determine my life-span.
“We’ll see if you keep your word, and if you do, then unfortunately, it looks like I owe you a favor.”
“You’re not going to handle me?” I call after him, shock raising my brows. “Not tonight!” he tosses over his shoulder.
I scoff. “What are you waiting for?” “It’s no fun if you expect it,” he answers, striding into the darkness. “Now, get back to bed before your wingleader realizes you’re out after curfew.”
“What?” I gawk after him. “You’re my...
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It’s a good thing I’ve gotten pretty adept at tightening the laces behind my back, since Rhiannon isn’t in her bed.
At least one of us is getting a few much-needed orgasms.
Seeing him is the best part of my day, even the moments when he’s anything but personable in public. Even in the moments where he’s consumed with trying to save me from this place.
Dain’s eyes light up as he pushes off the wall of the hallway where he’s obviously been waiting for me. “Morning.”
“It’s the only time I get to see you when I’m not your squad leader,”
“Trust me, it’s worth getting up an hour early, though I still can’t figure out why you’d choose breakfast duty over every other assignment.”
“Maybe we were just up early,” Rhiannon counters. “You know, like you are right now.” She glances between the two of us with a mischievous smirk.
“Just…get back to the dorms and pretend you slept there, will you?” “Absolutely!” She squeezes my hand as she passes by.
“Way to go,” I whisper quickly. She’s had a thing for Tara...
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“Monitoring the sex lives of first-years was not what I had in mind when I applied to be a squad leader,” Dain mutters, and we continue toward the kitchen.
“Why, Dain Aetos! Are you asking me about my sex life?”
“No!” He shakes his head, then pauses in thought. “I mean…is there a sex life to ask about?”
“Since I got here?” I tap my chin with my finger and smile. “That’s none of your business. Before I got here? Still none of your business.”
His mouth curves into a grin that makes me wish it was his business, though.
I turn around before I do somet...
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foolish like make it his...
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“I’ve got it,” I promise, looking into his eyes so he knows I mean it.
“I always worry about you.” Dain’s hands curl into fists. “Don’t.” I shake my head. “I can handle myself.”
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.” My ribs squeeze my heart like a vise.
The description <3
“Avoid that pompous ass whenever you can, Vi. Don’t give him an excuse to come after you. He’s already responsible for too many names on the death roll.”
“Then the dragons are going to love him.” They always go for the vicious ones.
I blink. The advice is so different from Xaden’s throw-a-few-daggers-at-his-head approach.
By code, I should tell Dain about seeing marked ones under the oak tree, but I won’t, not because I told Xaden that I wouldn’t but because keeping the secret feels like the right thing to do.
I’ve never kept a secret from Dain in my life.
