Page 485 - Fourth Wing

Of course he would. Xaden is a master of containing his emotions, which

is probably why he’s so fixed on containing mine, too. Or is there some
other reason he’s holding himself back that I’m not considering? The sex

was great. Our chemistry? Explosive. We’re even…friends, though the

constant ache in my chest tells me it’s gone far beyond that. If he could just
be an asshole, then I’d write that night off as just sex—ridiculously mind-

blowing sex—and move on. But he’s not being an ass…not usually at least,

and now I understand why he takes his job so seriously. He shoulders the
responsibility for every marked one in here.

“Whatever you’re thinking can wait until there’s not a room of people

between us,” he says.
“What else do you have for me?” Devera continues, calling on a second-

year.
It’s been a month and a half since we destroyed my room—and we’ve

managed to keep our hands off each other, even though one night wasn’t

enough to satisfy either of us, if the tension-filled evenings on the sparring
mats are any indication. Of course, we both know anything more would

only further complicate an already overly complicated situation.
But surely he’s not relieving this sexual tension that stretches taut

between us—with someone else. Surely. The insidious thought spreads with

a sickening quickness.
I stop listening as my stomach twists at an all-too-real possibility. “Is

there someone else?”

“I’m not having this discussion with you right now. Pay attention.”
It takes everything I have not to turn around and yell at him. If I’ve spent

every night tossing and turning in my sheets alone while he—

“That’s a good idea, too, Aetos.” Devera smiles. “A very wingleader
answer, if I might say so.”

Oh gods, Dain’s ego is going to be unbearable today during sparring if
Devera keeps complimenting him.