Page 247 - Fourth Wing

We’ll be down to two in every section,” she continues. “Aetos kept the

highest number of his first-years alive—hence the patch—so he’ll be
allowed to retain his squad, but we’ll probably gain a few when they strip

the squads from those who weren’t as successful.”

As discreetly as I can, I look to my right, past the other Fourth Wing
tables and to the dais where Xaden sits with his executive officer and the

section leaders, including Garrick, whose shoulders look like they should

take up at least two seats. It’s Garrick who looks my way first, his forehead
lining with… What is that? Worry? Then he looks away.

The only reason he’d be remotely worried—he knows. He knows my fate

is tethered to Xaden’s.
My gaze snaps to Xaden, and my chest tightens. So. Freaking. Beautiful.

Apparently my body doesn’t care that he’s as dangerous as they come in the
quadrant, because heat rushes through my veins, flushing my skin.

He’s using a dagger to peel an apple, removing the rind in one long curl,

and the blade continues its path as his eyes lift, locking with mine.
My whole head tingles.

Gods, is there any part of my body that doesn’t physically react to the
sight of him?

He glances toward Imogen and back to me, and that’s all it takes for me

to know for certain. He’s ordered her to help train me. Xaden Riorson is
now in the business of keeping his mortal enemy alive.

…

A few hours later, after the squads are rearranged and the death roll is read,

all the first-year riders in Fourth Wing stand in our newly issued flight
leathers, waiting in front of our dragons on the flight field. The uniform is

thicker than our usual one, with a full jacket I’ve buttoned over my dragon-
scale armor.

And unlike our regular uniforms, whatever we choose them to be, flight