Page 129 - Fourth Wing

“But you’re smarter than both of them.”

I blink. It’s not often I get compared to my brother and sister and
somehow come out on top.

“From what I’ve seen of you helping your friend study in commons every

night, it seems you might be more compassionate, too. Don’t forget that.”
“Thank you, but being smart and compassionate isn’t going to help me

when it comes to Threshing.” A self-deprecating laugh escapes. “You know

more about dragons than anyone else in the quadrant, probably anyone else
on the Continent. They choose strength and shrewdness.”

“They choose for reasons they don’t see fit to share with us.” He pushes

off his desk. “And not all strength is physical, Violet.”
I nod, because I can’t find any appropriate words for his well-intentioned

flattery, and head over to meet Rhiannon at the door. The only thing I know
for certain right now is that compassion isn’t going to help me on the mat

after lunch.

…

I’m so nervous I could puke as I stand at the side of the wide black mat,
watching Rhiannon beat the ever-loving shit out of her opponent. It’s a guy

from Second Wing, and it takes almost no time for her to get him into a

headlock, cutting off his air supply. It’s a move she’s tried her best to drill
into me over the last couple of weeks.

“She makes it look so easy,” I say to Dain as he stands at my side, his
elbow brushing mine.

“He’s going to try to kill you.”

“What?” I glance up, then follow his line of sight two mats over.
Dain’s glaring daggers at Xaden across the mat, a look of sheer boredom

on his face as Rhiannon squeezes the neck of the Second Wing first-year
tighter.

“Your opponent,” Dain says softly. “I overheard him and a few friends.