Page 304 - Fourth Wing

know they know.

“That spineless wretch,” Rhiannon seethes, her hand squeezing mine
even tighter.

Dain pales.

“Believe me now?” I hurl it like the accusation it is. “You’re supposed to
be my oldest friend, Dain. My best friend. There’s a reason I didn’t tell

you.”

He staggers backward.
“The wingleaders have formed a quorum and are in unanimous

agreement,” Xaden announces, flanked by Nyra and Septon while the

commandant hangs back. “We find you guilty, Amber Mavis.”
“No!” she shouts. “It is no crime to rid the quadrant of the weakest rider!

I did it to protect the integrity of the wings!” She paces in panic, looking to
everyone—anyone for help.

As a whole, the formation moves backward.

“And as is our law, your sentence will be carried out by fire,” Nyra states.
“No!” Amber looks to her dragon. “Claidh!”

Amber’s Orange Daggertail snarls at the other dragons and lifts a claw.
Tairn swivels his massive head toward Claidh, his roar shaking the

ground beneath my feet. Then he snaps his teeth at the smaller orange, and

she retreats, her head hanging as she grips the wall again.
The sight breaks my heart, not for Amber but for Claidh.

“Do you have to?” I ask Tairn.

“This is our way.”
“Please don’t,” I beg, forgetting to think the words. It’s one thing to

punish Amber, but Claidh will suffer as well.

Maybe I could talk to Amber. Maybe we can still work through our
issues. Maybe we can find common ground, turn our anger to friendship or

at least casual indifference. I shake my head, my heart pounding in my
throat. I did this. I was so focused on whether anyone would believe me, I