Page 423 - Fourth Wing

when he lets go of my waist, I think he might just let me stay. Then his

hands are on my cheeks, sliding back to cup the base of my neck as he
brings his mouth to mine.

The kiss is reckless and consuming, and I give it my all, knowing it might

be the last one. His tongue licks into my mouth with an urgency I return,
angling to take him deeper.

Gods, it’s not just as good as I’d been fantasizing about, remembering

that night. It’s so much better. He was careful with me against that wall, but
there is nothing hesitant about the way he lays claim to my mouth, nothing

cautious about the ache that pulses low in my stomach. He only breaks the

kiss when we’re both panting, then rests his forehead against mine. “Leave
for me, Violet.”

“Almost there,” Tairn says.
Xaden’s been stalling to give Tairn and Sgaeyl time to arrive. My heart

sinks like a rock, pinning my feet in place. “I will hate you for this.”

“Yeah.” He nods, a flash of pure regret crossing his face as he draws
away. “I can live with that.” His hands fall away from my face and reach for

my arms, lifting them so I’m shaped like a T. “Arms up. Hold tight.”
“Fuck. You.”

The enormous shape of Tairn appears behind him, and Xaden drops to the

stone floor just as Tairn flies directly above, his shadow falling over me a
second before his foreclaw scoops me up like he’s done countless times

when I’ve fallen midflight.

“You have to take us back!”
“I have done everything I can and will not risk your life.” He climbs in

altitude, then throws me up onto his back in a practiced maneuver. “Now,

hold on so we can outfly them.”
I look over my shoulder and see Xaden on Sgaeyl, approaching quickly,

and farther behind them, hundreds of feet below, a dozen gryphons envelop
the keep.