Page 524 - Fourth Wing

“Stop.” I put my hand on Xaden’s arm. “Xaden, stop. If you want me to

go with you, I’ll go. It’s that simple.”
His gaze shifts to meet mine and immediately softens.

“No fucking way,” Dain whispers, but it reverberates in my bones like a

lightning strike.
I pivot, dropping my hand from Xaden’s arm, but it’s obvious by Dain’s

expression that he now knows there’s something between Xaden and me—

and he’s hurt. My stomach hits the ground. “Dain…”
“Him?” Dain’s eyes widen and his face flushes. “You and…him?” He

shakes his head. “People talk, and I thought that’s all it was, but you…”

Disappointment drops his shoulders. “Don’t go, Violet. Please. He’s going
to get you killed.”

“I know you think Xaden has ulterior motives, but I trust him. He’s had
every opportunity and has never hurt me.” I move toward Dain. “At some

point, you have to let this go.”

Dain looks horrified for a second but quickly masks it. “If he’s what you
choose…” He sighs. “Then I guess that has to be enough for me, doesn’t

it?”
“Yes.” I nod. Thank gods all this nonsense is about to be past us.

He swallows hard and leans in to whisper, “I’ll miss you, Violet.” Then

he pivots on his heel and heads for Cath.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Xaden says as I reach Tairn’s foreleg.

“Always.”

“We have to ride.”
He pauses, like he’s going to say more, but turns away instead. As he

heads back to Sgaeyl, I can’t help but note both of the important men are

walking away from me right now, in opposite directions, and given the one
I’ve chosen to follow, my life is about to change forever.