Page 228 - Fourth Wing

swarm the center of the field, where I happen to be standing, shouting in

exuberance and searching for their friends. My eyes scan the crowd, hoping
for some glimpse of—

“Rhi!” I shout, spotting Rhiannon in the mob and limping her way.

“Violet!” She crushes me into a hug, pulling away when I wince at the
fresh pain in my arm. “What happened?”

“Tynan’s sword.” I barely get the answer out of my mouth before I’m

snatched off my feet by Ridoc, who spins me around, my feet flying out in
front of me.

“Look who rode in on the baddest motherfucker around!”

“Put her down!” Rhiannon chides. “She’s bleeding!”
“Oh shit, sorry,” Ridoc says, and my feet find the ground.

“It’s fine.” There’s fresh blood on the bandage, but I don’t think I’ve torn
my stitches. And painkillers are awesome. “Are you all right? Who did you

guys bond?”

“The Green Daggertail!” Rhiannon grins. “Feirge. And it was just…
easy.” She sighs. “I saw her and just knew.”

“Aotrom,” Ridoc says with pride. “Brown Swordtail.”
“Sliseag!” Sawyer throws his arms around Rhiannon’s and Ridoc’s

shoulders. “Red Swordtail!” We all cheer, and I’m swept into his hug next.

Out of all of us, I’m happiest for him, for all he’s had to endure to get here.
“Trina?” I ask as he lets me go.

One by one, they shake their heads, looking to the others for answers. An

impossible heaviness settles in my heart, and I search for any other reason.
“I mean…there’s a possibility she’s just unbonded, right?”

Sawyer shakes his head, sorrow slackening his shoulders. “I saw her fall

from the back of an Orange Clubtail.”
My heart sinks.

“Tynan?” Ridoc asks, his gaze jumping between us.
“Tairn killed him,” I say softly. “In his defense, Tynan had already run me