Page 577 - Fourth Wing

brush his blond hair back off his forehead. “None of this is all right. Please

stay,” I beg, tears I can’t fight rolling unchecked down my cheeks. “Fight to
stay. Please, Liam. Fight to stay.”

“At Parapet—” His face twists in pain. “You have to take care of my

sister.”
“Liam, no.” I choke on the words as tears clog my throat. “You’ll be

there.” I stroke his hair. He’s fine. He’s physically, perfectly fine, and yet

I’m watching him slip away. “You have to be there.” He has to smile at the
sister he’s missed for years and flash that dimple of his. He has to give her

the stack of letters he’s written. He deserves it after all he’s been through.

He can’t die for me.
“Tairn,” I cry. “Tell me what to do.”

“There’s nothing you can do, Silver One.”
“We both know I won’t. Just promise you’ll take care of Sloane,” he

begs, his eyes searching mine as his breaths grow ragged. “Promise.”

“I promise,” I whisper, taking his hand and squeezing, not bothering to
wipe my tears. “I’ll take care of Sloane.” He’s dying and there’s nothing I

can do. Nothing anyone can do. How can all this power be so fucking
useless?

The pulse under my thumb slows.

“Good. That’s good.” He forces a weak smile, and that dimple makes a
faint appearance before his expression falters. “And I know you feel

betrayed, but Xaden needs you. And I don’t just mean alive, Violet. He

needs you. Please hear him out.”
“All right.” I nod, fighting to force a watery smile. He could ask for

anything right now, and I’d give it to him. “Thank you, Liam. Thank you

for being my shadow. Thank you for being my friend.” He blurs in my
vision as the tears come faster.

“It’s been. My honor.” Liam’s chest rattles as his lungs struggle.
A gust of wind blows the loosened strands of my braid back from my