Page 559 - Fourth Wing

of us answer.

“No? Then mount up.”
I walk toward Tairn’s shoulder as Xaden strides over to me.

“Turn around, Violence,” he orders, and I pivot, looking up at him. He

unsheathes one of his daggers and slides it in the empty spot I have at my
ribs. “Now you have two.”

“You’re not going to lecture me about staying safe in the outpost?” I ask,

my emotions rioting at his nearness. He hid all of this from me, and yet my
chest aches just looking at him.

“If I asked you to stay behind, would you?” His eyes bore into mine.

“No.”
“Exactly. I try not to pick fights I know I can’t win.”

My eyes flare. “Speaking of knowing you’ll win fights, General Melgren
will know what’s happened here. He’ll be able to see the outcome of the

battle even now.”

He shakes his head slowly and points to his neck, to the rebellion relic
snaking around his throat. “Do you remember how I told you I realized it

was a gift, not a curse?”
“Yes.” Back when I was in his bed.

“Just trust me—because of this, Melgren can’t see a fucking thing.”

My lips part, remembering Melgren saying he liked to lay eyes on Xaden
once a year. “Any other secrets you’re keeping from me?”

“Yes.” He cups my neck and leans into my space. “Stay alive, and I

promise I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
The simple confession makes my heart clench. As angry as I am, I can’t

imagine a world without him in it. “I need you to survive this, even if I hate

that I still love you.”
“I can live with that.” A corner of his mouth lifts as he drops his hand and

turns away from me, heading toward Sgaeyl.
Tairn dips his shoulder again and I mount, settling into the saddle and