Page 248 - Fourth Wing

leathers bear no insignia besides our rank at our shoulder and any

leadership designation. No names. No patches. Nothing that could give us
away if we’re separated from our dragons behind enemy lines. Just a lot of

sheaths for weapons.

I try not to think about possibly fighting in the war effort one day and
focus on the organized chaos evolving on the flight field this morning. I

can’t miss the way the other cadets look at Tairn or the wide berth the other

dragons give him. Honestly, if I had those teeth bared at me, I’d back away,
too.

“No you wouldn’t, because you didn’t. You stayed and defended

Andarna.” His voice fills my head, and I can tell from his tone there are
places he’d rather be.

“Only because there was a lot going on at the moment,” I respond.
“Andarna isn’t coming this morning?”

“She has no need for flight lessons when she can’t bear you.”

“Good point.” Though it would have been nice to see her. She’s quieter
in my head, too, not as meddlesome as Tairn.

“I heard that. Now pay attention.”
I roll my eyes but focus on what Kaori is saying from the center of the

field. His hand is up, using common lesser magic to project his voice so we

can all hear.
God help us when Ridoc figures out how to do that. I bite back a smile,

knowing he’ll find some way to annoy the shit out of every rider in the

quadrant, not just his squad.
“…and at only ninety-two riders, you are our smallest class to date.”

My shoulders dip. “I thought a hundred and one were willing to bond,

plus you?”
“Willing doesn’t mean they found worthy riders,” Tairn answers.

“And yet two of you chose me?” With forty-one unbonded? That’s quite
the insult.