Page 336 - Fourth Wing

unguarded moment with this man I’m going to be tethered to for the rest of

our lives.
This has to be Tairn. It just…has to.

And yet, I know it isn’t. While I’d admired Liam upstairs, I am

completely, utterly obsessed with Xaden.
His eyes meet mine in the moonlight. “Oh, Violence, you’re going to

have to learn to shield against Tairn or his escapades with Sgaeyl will drive

you mad—or into someone’s bed.”
I squeeze my eyes shut just so I can escape his gorgeous face as a jolt of

heat flashes through me, making every inch of my skin tingle and burn. I

reach a hand out to steady myself against the wall again. “Oh, I know. I am
horrified to see Liam again.”

“Liam? Why?” He pivots to face me, leaning against his shoulder.
“Where the hell is your bodyguard?”

“I’m my own bodyguard,” I counter, resting my cheek on the icy stone.

“And he’s in bed.”
“Your bed?” His voice is like a crack of lightning.

I pry my eyes open to meet his gaze. The snow makes everything so
much brighter, highlighting the furrowed line of his brow, the firm set of his

mouth. “No. Not that it should matter to you.”

Is he jealous? That’s…oddly comforting.
He looses a breath, his shoulders dipping. “It doesn’t matter to me as long

as you’re both consenting, and trust me, you’re in no condition to consent.”

“You have no clue what I’m capable of consenting—” Undeniable,
unquenchable need nearly takes me out at the knees.

Xaden’s arm wraps around my waist, steadying me. “Why the hell aren’t

you shielding?”
“Not all of us have been given lessons! He just started channeling before

all…this, and in case you forgot, you’re only allowed to attend Professor
Carr’s class if you can wield.”