Page 494 - Fourth Wing

from Tairn that connects me to Sgaeyl, and finally, the shimmering shadows

of Xaden.
I open my eyes, tracing the ebb and flow of that shimmering shadow, and

I know he’s somewhere in front of me.

“Liam, you know I adore you, right?”
“Well, that’s nice—”

“Go away.” I walk straight ahead through the courtyard.

“What?” Liam catches up to me. “I can’t just leave you out here by
yourself.”

“No offense, but I can fry this entire place with a lightning bolt if I want

to, and I need to see Xaden, so go.” I pat his arm and keep striding toward
the feeling, using it to guide me.

“I mean, your aim is shit according to you, but I get the rest!” he calls
out, falling behind.

I don’t bother with a mage light as I pass the area where we usually stand

in formation and keep walking toward the figures lounging against the only
opening in this godsforsaken wall. There’s only one place Xaden can be.

“Tell me he’s not out there,” I say to Garrick and Bodhi, whose features I
can barely see in the moonlight.

“I could tell you that, but I’d be lying,” Bodhi remarks, rubbing the back

of his neck.
“You’re not going to want to see him. Not tonight, Sorrengail,” Garrick

warns with a grimace. “Self-preservation is a thing. Notice we’re not with

him, and we’re his best friends.”
“Yeah, well, I’m his…” I open my mouth and shut it a few times

because…fuck if I know what I am to him. But the longing that holds my

heart hostage, this driving need to be at his side because I know he’s
suffering, no matter if it means throwing myself headfirst into uncertainty…

I can’t deny what he is to me. I kick off the leather slippers of my dress
uniform—they’re more of a hazard than anything, and in this wind? Well,