Page 233 - Fourth Wing

“His mate told him,” I whisper. Sgaeyl called for Tairn.

“She’s never been a fan of bullies,” Xaden says to me. “But don’t mistake
it as an act of kindness toward you. She’s fond of the little dragon.

Unfortunately, Tairn chose you all on his own.”

“Fuck,” Dain mutters.
“My thought exactly.” Xaden shakes his head at Dain. “Sorrengail is the

last person on the Continent I’d ever want to be chained to me. I didn’t do

this.”
Ouch. It takes all the willpower in my body not to reach for my chest and

make sure he didn’t just rip my heart out from behind my ribs, which makes

absolutely zero sense, since I feel the same way about him. He’s the son of
the Great Betrayer. His father was directly responsible for Brennan’s death.

“And even if I had.” Xaden moves toward Dain, towering over him.
“Would you really level that accusation knowing it would have been what

saved the woman you call your best friend?”

My gaze flies to Dain, and a silent, damning moment passes. It’s a simple
question, and yet I find myself holding my breath for his answer. What do I

really mean to him?
“There are…rules.” Dain tilts his chin to look Xaden in the eyes.

“And out of curiosity, would you have, let’s say, bent those rules to save

your precious little Violet in that field?” His voice ices over as he studies
Dain’s expression with rapt fascination.

Xaden had taken a step. Right before Tairn landed, he’d moved…toward

me.
Dain’s jaw flexes, and I see the war in his eyes.

“That’s unfair to ask him.” I move to Dain’s side as the sound of

whipping wings interrupts the night. The dragons are flying back. They’ve
made their decision.

“I’m ordering you to answer, squad leader.” Xaden doesn’t even spare me
a glance.