Page 191 - Fourth Wing

humans. Unlike dragons, who think we’re a little gamey.”

“My mom used to love telling my sister Raegan and me that we’d be
plucked right off the front porch by one if we talked back, and their eerie-

eyed venin riders would take us prisoner if we took treats we weren’t

allowed to have,” Rhi says, flashing a grin at me, and I can’t help but notice
that her step is lighter.

Mine is, too. I notice each dragon as we pass, but my heartbeat steadies.

“My dad used to read to me those fables every night,” I tell her. “And I
seriously asked him one time if Mom was going to turn into a venin

because she could channel.”

Rhiannon chuckles as we walk by a set of glaring reds. “Did he tell you
people supposedly only turn into venin if they channel directly from the

source?”
“He did, but it was after my mom had a really long night while we were

stationed near the eastern border, and her eyes were bloodshot red, so I

freaked out and started shrieking.” I can’t help but smile at the memory.
“She took my book of fables away for a month because the outpost guards

all came running, and I was hiding behind my brother, who couldn’t stop
laughing, and, well…it was a mess.” I keep my eyes front and center as a

large orange sniffs the air when I pass.

Rhiannon’s shoulders shake with laughter. “I wish we’d had a book like
that. I seriously think Mom just altered the stories to scare us whenever we

stepped out of line.”

“That sounds like some border-village nonsense.” Luca scoffs. “Venin?
Wyvern? Anyone with a modicum of education knows that our wards stop

all magic that isn’t channeled directly from dragons.”

“They’re stories, Luca,” Rhi says over her shoulder, and I can’t help but
notice how much ground we’ve covered. “Pryor, you can walk a little faster

if you want up there.”
“Maybe we should slow down and take our time?” Pryor suggests from