Page 259 - Fourth Wing

from both professors and cadets in my quadrant, but I’m more than content

to wait. Scribes come and go, some in groups as they train to become our
kingdom’s historians, and I find myself staring at every hooded figure,

searching for a face I know I can’t find—searching for my father.

“Violet?”
I turn to the left and see Professor Markham leading a squad of first-year

scribes. “Hello, Professor.” Keeping my face emotionless around him is

easier because I know he’ll expect it.
“I didn’t realize you had library chore duty.” He glances toward the spot

in the shelves where Jesinia disappeared. “Are you being helped?”

“Jesinia—” I cringe. “I mean, Cadet Neilwart is most helpful.”
“You know,” he says to the squad of five as they arc around me, “Cadet

Sorrengail here was my prized student until the Riders Quadrant stole her
away.” His gaze meets mine under his hood. “I had hopes she would return,

but alas, she has bonded to not one but two dragons.”

A girl to his right gasps, then covers her mouth and mutters an apology.
“Don’t worry, I felt the same way,” I tell her.

“Perhaps you can explain something to Cadet Nasya over here, who was
just griping that there’s not nearly enough fresh air in here.” Professor

Markham turns his focus to a boy on his left. “This group is just starting

their rotation in the Archives.”
Nasya turns beet red under his cream hood.

“It’s part of the fire mitigation system,” I tell him. “Less air, less risk of

our history burning to the ground.”
“And the stuffy hoods?” Nasya lifts a brow at me.

“Makes it harder for you to stand out against the tomes,” I explain. “A

symbol that no one and nothing is more important than the documents and
books in this very room.” My gaze darts around the chamber, and a new

pang of homesickness hits me.
“Exactly.” Professor Markham levels a glare at Nasya. “Now, if you’ll