Page 290 - Fourth Wing

“Well, not the first thing.” Andarna sits, flicking her feathertail along the

frost-laden grass. “The first thing is we shouldn’t bond until we’re full-
grown.” She cocks her head to the side. “Or maybe the first is where the

sheep are? I like goats better, though.”

“This is why feathertails don’t bond.” Tairn sighs with a hefty dose of
exasperation.

“Let her explain,” Sgaeyl urges, clicking her talons like nails on the

ground.
“Feathertails shouldn’t bond because they can accidentally gift their

powers to humans,” Andarna continues. “Dragons can’t channel—not

really—until we’re big, but we’re all born with something special.”
I relay the message. “Like a signet?” I ask out loud so Xaden can hear.

“No,” Sgaeyl answers. “A signet is a combination of our power with
your own ability to channel. It reflects who you are at the core of your

being.”

Andarna sits up and tilts her head proudly. “But I gave my gift directly to
you. Because I’m still a feathertail.”

I repeat again, staring at the smaller dragon. Almost nothing is known
about feathertails because they’re never seen outside the Vale. They’re

guarded. They’re… I swallow. Wait. What did she say? “You’re still a

feathertail?”
“Yep! For another couple of years, probably.” She blinks slowly and then

cracks a yawn, her forked tail curling.

Oh. Gods. “You’re…you’re a hatchling,” I whisper.
“I am not!” Andarna puffs steam into the air. “I’m two! The hatchlings

can’t even fly!”

“She’s a what?” Xaden’s gaze swings between Andarna and me.
I glare up at Tairn. “You let a juvenile bond? A juvenile train for war?”

“We mature at a much faster rate than humans,” he argues, having the
nerve to look affronted. “And I’m not sure anyone lets Andarna do