Page 478 - Fourth Wing

they are, children’s bedtime stories. So why did my dad leave me this

cryptic note—and hide it inside the book?
“What do you think he was trying to tell you?” Xaden asks.

“I don’t know. Every fable in this book is about how too much power

corrupts, so maybe he felt someone in leadership was corrupt.” I glance up
at Xaden and joke, “I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if General Melgren

ripped a mask off one day and revealed he was a terrifying venin. That man

has always given me the creeps.”
Xaden chuckles. “Well, let’s hope not that. My dad used to say venin

were biding their time in the Barrens and one day were coming to get us—if

we didn’t eat our vegetables.” He glances out the window to his left, and I
know he’s remembering his father. “He said one day there would be no

magic left in the kingdom if we weren’t careful.”
“I’m sorry—” I start, but when he tenses, I decide a subject change is

what he really needs. “So, which mess should we tackle first?”

“I have a better idea of how to spend our night,” he says as he puts
another pile of clothes on my bed.

“Oh?” I glance over and catch his eyes darkening as he stares at my
mouth. My pulse immediately quickens, the thought of touching him

sending a burst of energy through me.

Don’t fall for me…
His words from last night cut a sharp contrast to the way he’s looking at

me now.

I take a step backward. “You said not to fall for you. Did you change your
mind?”

“Absolutely not.” His jaw tenses.

“Right.” I don’t expect that to hurt as much as it does, which is part of the
problem. I’m already too emotionally involved to separate out the sex, no

matter how phenomenal it is. “Here’s the thing. I don’t think I can separate
sex from emotion when it comes to you.” Well, shit, now I’ve said it.