Page 549 - Fourth Wing

“Like this.” He lifts his hand to my cheek. “His power requires touching

someone’s face. Did he touch you like this?”
My lips part. “Yes, but that’s how he always touches me. He would n-

never…” I sputter. “I would know if he read my memories.”

Xaden’s face falls, and his hand slips downward, cradling the back of my
neck. “No, Violence. Trust me, you wouldn’t.” There’s no accusation in his

tone, just a resignation that hurts what’s left of my heart.

“He wouldn’t.” I shake my head. Dain is a lot of things, but he would
never violate me like that, never take something I hadn’t offered. Except he

tried once.

“It’s addressed to you,” Garrick says, handing the envelope to Xaden.
Xaden drops his hand from my face and breaks the seal. I can read the

lettering as he opens the missive.
War Games for Xaden Riorson, Wingleader of Fourth Wing.

I recognize the handwriting—how could I not when I’ve seen it all my

life? “That’s from Colonel Aetos.”
“What does it say?” Garrick asks, folding his arms over his chest.

“What’s our assignment?”
“Guys, I see something just past the trading post,” Liam says from the

battlement. “Oh shit.”

Xaden’s face drains of all color, and he crumples the missive in his fist
before looking at me. “It says our mission is to survive if we can.”

Oh gods. Dain read my memories without my permission. He must have

told his father to where they’ve been sneaking off. I’ve unknowingly
betrayed Xaden…betrayed them all.

“That’s not…” Garrick shakes his head.

“Guys, this is bad,” Liam shouts, and Imogen races to his side.
“This isn’t your fault,” Xaden says to me, then rips his gaze from mine

and turns to his friends, who are running down the ramparts to join us.
“We’ve been sent here to die.”