Page 267 - Fourth Wing

“I need to talk to you.” Dain’s voice drops, and he narrows his eyes.

“Fine. Walk me back.” I motion at Rhiannon to go on without me, and
she walks ahead with the others, leaving Dain and me to bring up the rear.

We fall back at the edge of the field.

“Why didn’t you tell me you can’t keep your fucking seat?” he shouts at
me, grabbing my elbow.

“I’m sorry?” I yank my arm out of his hold.

Tairn growls in my mind.
“I’ve got this,” I shout back at him.

“All this time, I’ve been letting Kaori teach you, thinking he must have

everything under control. After all, if the rider of the strongest dragon in the
quadrant couldn’t keep her seat, then surely we’d all know.” He rips his

hand over his hair. “Surely I would know if my best friend fell every
fucking day that she flew!”

“It’s not a secret!” Anger bubbles in my veins. “Everyone in our wing

knows! I’m sorry if you haven’t been keeping tabs on your squad, but trust
me, Dain. Everyone knows. And I’m not going to stand here while you

lecture me like I’m a child.” I stalk off, my strides eating up the ground as I
follow my wing.

“You didn’t tell me,” he says, anger in his voice giving way to hurt as he

catches up, more than matching my pace.
“There’s not a problem.” I shake my head. “Tairn can keep me buckled in

magically if he needs to. I’m the one asking him to loosen the restraints.

And I’d think twice before you question him. He’s more of the char-first-
ask-questions-later type.”

“It’s a huge problem, because he can’t channel—”

“His full powers?” I ask as we make it out of the field, heading toward
the steps that descend next to the Gauntlet. “I know that. Why do you think

I’m up there asking him to loosen up?” Frustration is a living, breathing
thing inside me, eating up all rational thought.