Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
I tie off the end of my braid.
“Considering the stone’s in the backyard, that’s not saying much,” Xaden replies.
“They haven’t spotted any venin among the patrol flight,” Brennan adds as Rhi reaches my side, Imogen close on her heels. “But it’s fucking huge, so they must be expecting to breach the city walls. Their course was noted as due west.”
Aaric pauses on the landing above, his brow furrowing before Felix practically shoves him down the hall.
“If I’m them, I’m flying in small-batch waves to test the barrier of the wards,” Brennan continues. “My recommendation is to station the officers two to five miles east, put the squad of…older riders at the city gates, and assign the cadets to the wardstone as a last defense.”
Holy shit does this feel familiar, and I wasn’t exactly thrilled with how the last time played out.
Xaden’s jaw ticks and his gaze darts back and forth for a second as he thinks. “I’ll join the officers,” he tells Brennan, and my heart jolts. “The older riders might be skilled, but half don’t fly—”
“I’m your best weapon,” I interject. “If you won’t put me on the first line, then station me at the gates.”
“Absolutely not!” Brennan snaps, leveling a horrified look at me.
“She’s right.” Xaden grimaces, then schools his features. “Split the retired riders. Half to the wardstone, half throughout the city in case civilians need to flee for the caves. You’re on the wall, Cadet Sorrengail.”
“Send all of us,” Rhi adds. “It’s not like second- and third-years haven’t seen combat. If it’s fight and die or don’t fight and die, we’d rather fight.”
Xaden nods. “Only those who are willing.”
“We’re willing,” Dain answers from the step beside Bodhi.
Every second- and third-year crowded near them nods.
“Fine. Aetos, your wing, your command,” Xaden says, and Brennan takes off to relay orders. Wind gusts through the front door as people rush out to take their positions.
“Third-years, you’re with me at the east gate to the city. Second-years, you’re with Matthias at the north. Work in pairs,” Dain orders.
“I’m here,” Tairn announces. “Enemy is ten minutes out.”
Holy shit. That’s the closest any wyvern has come to Aretia.
“I’m coming with you.” Bodhi jumps the last two steps, landing beside Xaden.
“You’re staying with the first-years,” Xaden immediately counters.
What? My eyebrows fly upward.
“The fuck I am.” The absolute wrath on Bodhi’s face has me retreating a step. “I will be at your side—”
“You will be as deep within this house as possible.” Xaden gets right up in his face.
“Because I’m not a weapon like you are?” Bodhi argues. “Cuir and I are just as deadly in the air.”
“Because you’re first in line!” Xaden clasps the back of his cousin’s neck. “Neither of us have an heir. We’re all there is, Bodhi. I don’t have time to argue, and you will do as ordered. Our family just got Tyrrendor back, and we will not lose her because of your ego. Understood?”
Bodhi’s eyes narrow. “We’ll lose her because of yours. Understood.” He pivots and disappears into the crowd.
“That didn’t go well,” I mutter.
“Fuck,” Xaden says under his breath, then turns to me and leans into my space. “I love you more than this city. Do not die defending it.” He crushes his mouth to mine and kisses me quick and fierce.
Tyrrendor. Xaden. Our relationship. Me. It’s hard to love someone in power.
I pull back. “As motivational speeches go, that was not your best.” My gaze sweeps over his face, memorizing every line. “I love you. Stay out of the clouds, off the ice, and come back to me whole.”
He nods, his eyes flashing as he catches my meaning, and then he’s gone.
There’s no time to contemplate if that was our last kiss.
“Do not worry for him,” Tairn orders. “He wins no matter how this battle goes.”
“Don’t be an ass.” I follow Rhi and Cat toward the front door.
“Sorrengail!” Aaric shouts, and I look back over my shoulder to see him sprinting down the steps. “Wait!”
“Don’t have a lot of time here,” I reply, letting the other second-years pass.
“You have to protect Dunne’s temple.” Aaric runs across the foyer, followed by two exasperated guards.
“I have an entire city to protect.”
“The temple is outside the walls.” He glances toward the open door.
“If that’s where our orders—”
“No.” He shakes his head, then seems to fight for words. “You have to protect the temple.”
Is he fucking kidding me right now?
“Did you make some alliance I’m not aware of?” I ask, backing away. Singling out Zihnal’s temple in the spirit of alliance is something I could understand, but Dunne? So help me Malek, if another Navarrian aristocrat has been making deals behind my back, I’m going to lose my shit.
“It’s not—” he starts as a group of soldiers races past.
“Violet!” Rhiannon yells. “We have to fly!”
“Coming!” I call back over my shoulder before addressing Aaric. “Dunne’s temple attendants are skilled in protecting themselves.”