Page 71 - Fourth Wing

each to fit at least four squads in the center, but it’s empty right now.

I pass by the first dragon, chiseled from dark-red marble, and a hand grips
my elbow, pulling me back behind the pillar where there’s a gap between

the claw and the wall.

“It’s just me.” Dain’s voice is low and quiet as he turns me to face him.
Tension radiates from every line of his frame.

“I figured, since you were the one birdcalling me.” I grin, shaking my

head. He’s been using that signal since we were kids living near the
Krovlan border while our parents were stationed there with the Southern

Wing.

His brow furrows as his gaze scans over me, no doubt looking for new
injuries. “We only have a few minutes before this place is packed. How is

your knee?”
“It hurts, but I’ll live.” I’ve had far worse injuries and we both know it,

but there’s no use telling him to relax when he’s obviously not going to.

“No one tried to screw with you last night?” Concern creases his
forehead, and I fold my arms to keep from smoothing the lines with my

fingers. His worry sits on my chest like a stone.
“Would it be so bad if they did?” I tease, forcing my smile to widen.

He drops his arms to his sides and sighs so hard, the sound echoes in the

rotunda. “You know that’s not what I mean, Violet.”
“No one tried to kill me last night, Dain, or even hurt me.” I lean back

against the wall and take some weight off my knee. “Pretty sure we were all

too tired and relieved to be alive to start slaughtering one another.” The
barracks fell quiet pretty quickly after lights out. There was something to be

said for the emotional exhaustion of the day.

“And you ate, right? I know they usher you out of the dorms fast when
the bells chime for six.”

“I ate with the rest of the first-years, and before you even think about
lecturing me, I rewrapped my knee under my covers and had my hair