Page 346 - Fourth Wing

he’s doing.”

“It was just a kiss.” Heat sings in my cheeks at the blatant lie. “But yeah.
He knows exactly what he’s doing.” My brow furrows, my imagination

running through the thousand different consequences of what I did last

night just like it has been all morning.
“Second thoughts?” She tilts her head, studying me. “You look like

maybe there are third thoughts, even.”

“No.” I shake my head. “Well, maybe? But only if it makes stuff between
us weird.”

“Right. Because you’re stuck with him for the rest of your careers. Lives,

too. Have you guys talked about what happens after he graduates?” Her
eyebrows rise. “Oh, I bet you get the choice of duty stations. Wingleaders

always get to pick.”
“He’ll get to pick,” I grumble, toying with an errant string on my satchel.

“I will have to follow. Tairn and Sgaeyl haven’t been separated for years.

Her last rider died almost fifty years ago, and as far as I know, she flew
wherever and whenever she wanted to be near Tairn before Naolin—his last

rider—died in Tyrrendor. It’s a two-day flight to that part of our border,
depending on where he’s stationed, so what are we going to do next year

and the year after?”

Her lips purse. “Not sure. Feirge said we won’t be able to be apart more
than a couple of days, so does that mean one of you has to always follow

the other?”

“No clue. I think that’s why most mated pairs bond within the same year,
so they don’t have these issues. How am I supposed to remain competitive

next year if I’m constantly flying off to the front line with Tairn? How is

Xaden supposed to be effective if he has to fly back here all the time?” My
face scrunches. “He’s the most powerful rider of our generation. He’s going

to be needed on the front, not here.”
“For now.” Rhiannon stares at me with intention, lifting her brows. “He’s