Page 338 - Fourth Wing

and know the next wave is going to hit hard. How freaking long can those

two possibly take? “How often is it like this with them?”
“Often enough that you’re going to need proper shields. You won’t ever

be able to block them out completely, and sometimes they forget to block

us, like tonight. That’s why the churam helps, but at least it’s like walking
by a brothel instead of actively participating in one.”

Well…shit. “Right then. All right. Will you teach me to shield?”

A smile curves his mouth, and my gaze drops to his lips. “Say please.”
“Are you always this difficult?”

“Only when I know I have something you need. What can I say, I like

making you squirm. It’s like a sweet little slice of payback for what you’ve
put me through these last couple of months.” He brushes the snow off my

hair.
“What I’ve put you through?” Unbelievable.

“You’ve scared me nearly to death once or twice, so I think saying please

is a fair request.”
Like he’s ever played fair a day in his life. I take a deep breath and swat

at a snowflake that lands on my nose. “As you prefer. Xaden?” I smile
sweetly up at him and inch a little closer. “Would you pretty, pretty please

teach me how to shield before I accidentally climb you like a tree and we

both wake up with regrets?”
“Oh, I’m firmly in control of my faculties.” He smiles again, and I feel it

like a caress.

Dangerous. This is so damned dangerous. Heat flushes my skin, so hot
that I debate tossing my cloak to the ground just to get a little relief.

Notably, Xaden isn’t wearing one.

“And since you asked so nicely.” He adjusts his stance and brings both
his hands up to my cheeks, cradling my face before sliding them back to

hold my head. “Close your eyes.”
“It requires touching me?” My eyes flutter shut at the sensation of his