Page 557 - Fourth Wing

the cliffside at my left. “He did, too. Even if he doesn’t like you putting

yourself in danger, he knew you would.”
“Well, he knows me a great deal better than I know him.” I lift a brow at

her.

She blinks. “You’re a far cry from the trembling girl who stood in the
courtyard and tried to mask her fear after Parapet. I approve.”

“I wasn’t asking for your approval.” If I’m going to die, I might as well

be honest in my last moments.
She chuffs and nudges Tairn’s head with hers, but he’s solely focused on

the trading post.

The rocky terrain crunches under my boots as I walk beneath Tairn to
where Andarna stands between his forelegs, watching the attack unfold

beneath us. I put myself right in front of her, blocking her view of what has
to be carnage. “Stay here and hide.” I’m not taking a kid into battle, period.

“‘Stay here,’” she grumbles sarcastically in response.

I bite back a sad smile. It’s really too bad I won’t get to see her go
through her rebellious adolescent years.

“Agreed.” Tairn dips a shoulder for me. “You’re a target, little one.”
“I mean it,” I order Andarna, stroking my hand over her scaly nose. “If

we’re not back by morning, or if you think venin are approaching, you fly

home to the Vale. Get behind the wards no matter what.”
Her nostrils flare. “I’m not leaving you.”

My chest hurts so badly, I fight the urge to rub the area above my heart,

but I square my shoulders instead. It has to be said. “You’ll feel the moment
when you’ll know that there’s nothing to leave. And it might break your

heart, but when you feel it, you fly. Promise me you’ll fly.”

Heartbeats pass before Andarna finally nods.
“Go,” I whisper, stroking her beautiful jaw one last time. She’ll be fine.

She’ll make it back to the Vale. I can’t let myself believe any differently.
She turns around and heads for the outpost, and I pull my shit together