Page 492 - Fourth Wing

him Amber led the unbondeds to my room. He had an entire arsenal of

daggers crafted just for me. He designed a saddle for Tairn so I can ride into
battle with my peers. He’d protected me when I needed and taught me to

defend myself so I wouldn’t require protection forever.

And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands
at my side, trusting me to hold my own.

But I don’t say any of that. What’s the point? Xaden wouldn’t give a fuck

what these people think of him—so I won’t, either. Instead, I just continue
to offer a simpering smile, seemingly in awe of the powerful men before

me.

“Their dragons are mated,” Mom offers, her smile chilling. “So she’s
grown quite close to him out of necessity.”

Out of lust and need and the ache in my chest I’m terrified to define, but
sure, necessity works.

“That’s excellent.” King Tauri beams. “It’s good to have a Sorrengail on

lookout for us. You’ll let us know if he decides to, oh, I don’t know.” He
laughs. “Start another war?”

Melgren is fully capable of seeing the outcome of any such absurdity, and
yet he stares at Liam and me with unnerving focus.

My entire body tenses. “I can assure you, he’s loyal.”

“So where is he?” King Tauri scans the courtyard. “I asked that they all
be here, all marked ones.”

“I just saw him a little earlier.” I smile through the not-quite lie. Battle

Brief was earlier. “I’d check the edges? He’s not much for parties.”
“Oh, look! There’s Dain Aetos!” Mom says, nodding somewhere behind

my shoulder. “He’d be so humbled if you said hello,” she prompts the king.

“Of course.” The three of them walk off, leaving Liam and me standing
in complete silence as we pivot to watch them so we don’t accidentally turn

our backs on the king. I feel like I’ve just survived certain death, or at least
some kind of natural disaster.