Page 502 - Fourth Wing

on this ledge.

He grumbles, dragging his gaze back to mine. “I saw Aetos kiss you after
Threshing and nearly lost my shit.”

If I didn’t already love him, that might have pushed me over the edge.

“You wanted me then?”
“I’ve wanted you from the first second I saw you, Violence,” he admits.

“And if I was short with you today…well, it’s just a shit day.”

“I understand. And you know Dain and I are just friends, right?”
“I know that’s how you feel, though I wasn’t sure back then.” He runs his

thumb over the swell of my lips. “Now get your ass back on solid ground.”

He wants to stay out here and wallow.
“Come with me.” My fingers grasp the material of his flight leathers,

ready to tug him along if I have to.
He shakes his head and looks away. “I’m not in a place to take care of

anyone tonight. And yes, I know that’s a shitty thing to say, since it’s the

anniversary of losing Brennan—”
“I know.” I slide my hands down his arms. “Come with me, Xaden.”

“Vi…” His shoulders dip, and the sadness that permeates the air between
us puts a lump in my throat.

“Trust me.” I step back out of his arms and take his hands. “Come on.”

A moment of tense silence passes before he nods once, moving forward
and holding me steady while I turn around. “I’m much better at this than I

was last July.”

“So I see.” He stays close, one hand on my waist as I walk the last part of
the parapet. “In a fucking dress.”

“It’s a skirt, actually,” I say over my shoulder, only feet away from the

wall.
“Eyes forward!” he grumbles, and it’s only the fear in his tone that keeps

me from doing something arrogant like skipping the last few feet.
The second we’re within the confines of the wall, he hauls me against