Page 284 - Fourth Wing

Not that I wouldn’t climb the man like a tree if presented with the right

set of circumstances. I cringe as we make it to the main hallway of the
dormitory. There will never, ever be a right set of circumstances when it

comes to him, let alone right after he’s executed half a dozen people.

But in my defense, and in a sick, twisted way, his rescue was pretty
damned hot, even if he is hauling me down the hallway at an untenable

speed. Even if he only did it because my life is tied to his. My chest

screams for a break, but there’s none to be found as he leads me past the
spiral staircase that leads up to the second- and third-year dorms and into

the rotunda.

It’s going to take weeks for my ribs to fully heal.
Our boots against the marble floor are the only sounds as we pass into the

academic wing. Instead of turning left, toward the sparring gym, he takes us
right, down a set of stairs that I know leads to storage.

Halfway down the steps, he pauses, and I nearly run into the sword

strapped to his back. Then he gestures with his right hand, keeping mine in
his left.

Click. Xaden pushes on the stones and a hidden door swings open.
“Holy shit,” I whisper at the expansive tunnel revealed before us.

“Hope you’re not afraid of the dark.” He pulls me inside, and suffocating

darkness envelops us as the door closes.
This is fine. This is absolutely fine.

“But just in case you are,” Xaden says, his voice at full volume as he

snaps. A mage light hovers above our head, illuminating our surroundings.
“Thanks.” The tunnel is supported by arches of stone and the floor is

smooth, as though it’s been traveled more than its entrance lets on. It smells

like earth but isn’t dank, and it goes on for what seems like an eternity.
He drops my hand and starts walking. “Keep up.”

“You could—” I wince. Fuck, my chest hurts. “Be a little more
considerate.” I trudge after him, dropping my hood.