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caroline-writes · 11 days ago

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Chapter 18: The truth again

Colour leaves Brennan’s face at an alarming rate, “Would you excuse us for a moment Violet?” he doesn’t allow her the time to reply as he grabs Xaden’s shoulder and pulls him a distance away so that they can talk without her hearing, Brennan spins Xaden to face him before he mutters in a harsh whisper, “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

There is a pause, and Xaden considers Brennan for a moment, “I know you know that I’ve been wrestling with this for a while. We’re at the point where fighting this revelation will hurt all of us more than anything else.”

“You’re willing to rip her entire world from her?” Brennan’s tone is accusatory and his eyes narrow.

Chapter 18: The truth again

To give her the entire truth Xaden thinks that it makes the most sense to take her back to Brennan. He is sure that at this point neither of them will be getting any sleep so when better than to drop in on her brother. There is a level of guilt he feels as he knocks on Garrick’s door in the middle of the night, the broad man’s frame fills his door as he rubs sleep from his eyes. He looks at Xaden before casting his gaze at Violet as well. He huffs a sigh before turning his back on them and pulling on a shirt, socks and shoes.

“I’ll take you as long as while you talk about whatever the fuck you want to talk about, I get to have a nap.” his voice is rough, and Xaden feels that guilt settle even lower in his gut.

“I’m sorry.”

“Save it. I’m sure it’s worth it and will probably end up saving our lives.” Garrick offers his friend a tired smile as he watches Violet and Xaden step into his bedroom and close the door. “I don’t need to ask, we’re going to see Brennan?” Xaden nods and Garrick reaches for both of their hands as he also reaches for a power deep inside himself. He aims for the field outside Riorson house and a second later the three of them have arrived.

Violet and Xaden take a few moments to recover; Garrick gives them a wave as he heads towards the house in search of a place to sleep while they sort out whatever it is they need to. He passes Brennan on his way inside and doesn’t miss the furrow of the older man’s brow.

Xaden is still doubled over trying to catch his breath as Brennan reaches them, his amber gaze washes over his younger sister. He sees for the first time a lack of hostility in her eyes which causes his chest to tighten slightly, “What’s changed?” he doesn’t miss the way that both Violet and Xaden stiffen slightly and exchange a look that could only be described as fear.

“What do you mean?” Xaden asked hoping that Brennan cannot tell that only an hour before he and Violet were wrapped around each other in more ways than one.

“I just-” he pauses and meets Violet’s gaze, “You don’t seem as angry...or angry at all with me.” Relief floods through Xaden’s body and he hopes that it doesn’t wash over his face in the same way.

Violet licks her lips, and Xaden feels his eyes follow the action intently, “We had a conversation.” she pauses and allows her eyes to meet her brother’s, “Xaden explained a few things but has promised to explain even more but said we needed to come here to do so.”

“You’re willing to rip her entire world from her?” Brennan’s tone is accusatory and his eyes narrow.

Xaden sighs, “I told her that you wanted to bring her with you when you defected and she asked what was so awful that you would walk away from your family and your old life. I thought I would give you the opportunity to tell her.”

“Passing the buck.” Brennan lets out a humourless laugh as he spins on the spot lifting his arms above his head, he tilts his head back and looks up at the sky, “I don’t know whether I should be thanking you or cursing you at this point.”

Before Brennan turns and heads back to Violet, Xaden adds one more thing, “Also, she uh...manifested her signet,” Brennan’s eyes meet Xaden’s, “and in doing so she killed someone. Jack Barlowe the guy who had been gunning for her since day one.”

“She- fuck. What was it?”

“She’s a lightning wielder.” Xaden tells him.

The colour that had been slowly returning to Brennan’s face is gone once more as he tries to get is head around this information, “Wait, Barlowe? You thought he was venin?”

“Yeah, she dropped a mountain on him.”

There is a hint of pride on Brennan’s face as he turns to walk back towards his sister, “Okay, well let’s go rip off this bandage.” he walks steadily away from Xaden, his pace must stronger than he currently feels, his heart is hammering against his ribs and he is sure that it beats harder with each step he takes towards Violet.

Her hazel eyes are steady and strong as they meet her brother’s amber ones, “You both ready to tell me everything?”

Brennan nods slow and steady, “I know that you’ve been wanting to know what could possibly have made me walk away from everything I have ever held dear. Firstly, I need you to know that I did die out there. I was dead, I don’t know how long for, but Naolin somehow managed to bring me back.” Violet’s mouth hangs open for a moment as shock ripples through her like a stone being dropped into a calm lake. “When I came to, Naolin was dead, and Fen offered me a choice. The things I had already seen on that battlefield could not be covered up. I knew too much to go back to my old life.”

There are tears welling up in his sister’s eyes, Brennan can see the anguish written all over her face, “What was it? What did you see?” she asks with a desperate tone.

“Do you remember that book that dad used to read to us?”

Violet pulls a face, unsure what this has to do with whatever he saw on the battlefield, “He didn’t read much to me, but he did read The Fables of the Barren.”

Brennan nods, “That’s the one. I remember that you used to love them and that when dad was too busy you used to ask Mira or me to read it to you.”

Violet’s face is a mask of confusion, “I still don’t see- unless. No.” the word is whispered as her eyes search his, fear is written all over her face.

A small smile curls his lips, his little sister always was too intelligent for her own good, “Unfortunately, yes. Every single one of those stories is not a story. The venin and their wyvern are real.”

“And finding this out led you to defect...or,” she pauses as her eyes grow wide with realisation, “you couldn’t live with the idea of hiding it. What did his dad offer you?”

There is no accusation in her tone, no blame to be found, “He offered me the truth. I accepted. Dying does strange things to you.”

There is a pause, “You don’t need to explain. Other people have a lot to explain.” her eyes dart from side to side her body is completely still, “I only wish you had been able to take me with you.” She looks over at Xaden for a moment hoping that he will explain further but his expression is closed off, “This only leaves me with more questions.”

“There’s a lot we don’t know about the venin. But we do know they want us all dead and if we don’t do more to push them back, they will take over all of Poromiel and then Navarre.” Xaden’s expression is grave.

“And our mother is complicit in hiding this?” Violet turns to her brother who nods sadly.

She wants to ask more, needs to know more but Garrick is approaching the group and wiggling his fingers, “Time to go.”

Brennan’s eyes hold something fiercely broken as he watches Garrick place a hand on Violet and Xaden’s shoulders once more. She had accepted the reason why he had defected with barely a question. Brennan wonders if she is saving them up for another time when she can quiz him properly. He offers the trio a wave and hopes that his smile reaches his eyes as they vanish from the field.

Violet’s head swims in a way that makes her stumble away from Garrick and Xaden. She feels more than a little dizzy and knows immediately that it isn’t just her body reacting badly to Garrick’s signet. She sinks to her knees and flinches slightly as Xaden places a hand on her arm.

“Violence?” his tone is concerned.

She closes her eyes tightly against the mage lights in the room as a sharp pain lances through her eye, “A migraine. It’s fine.” she grits out pushing her palm into her eye trying to relieve the pain in some way. Even with her eyes closed as tightly as they are Violet registers that the lights in the room dim. She cracks an eye open and realises almost instantly that Xaden has covered them both with his shadows. Her heart flip flops uncomfortably as her head still spins.

“What can I do?” his voice is close, but she knows he’s speaking out loud and not in her head. She wonders for a second if he’s done it this way because he is afraid that his voice will be too loud inside her mind. She doesn’t really have the energy to dwell on the thought.

Violet takes a few steadying breaths before daring to fully reopen her eyes, “I need to sleep it off.” she sighs knowing that the telltale ache in her shoulders and knees mean that this migraine is just a warning sign that a flare is on the way. Hands reach for her shoulders, and it takes everything Violet has to not flinch at the sudden contact.

“Goodnight Garrick. Thank you for everything as always.” Xaden’s voice is still low; there is a noncommittal grunt in response and Violet wonders if Garrick has already put himself in bed.

The hands on her shoulders lead her a few doors down the corridor, panic flares in her stomach as Violet realises, they are not going back to her room. Xaden releases one shoulder as he opens the door and helps her into his bedroom, “Sit here.” her legs hit the back of a bed and Violet lowers herself onto the corner of his mattress.

“I knew that having sex with you would change a few things, I didn’t expect you to move me into your room so soon.” she is teasing him of course, she dares to open her eyes again and squints at her surroundings. Xaden hasn’t bothered to light the mage lights as he moves around his room in almost complete darkness. Violet wonders if his signet allows him to see in the dark better than other people. He moves through his room so seamlessly before kneeling before her and pulling her boots from her feet.

He does address what she said, instead he murmurs, “Please make yourself comfortable.”

Violet winces at the thought of sleeping in her corset, that would be far from comfortable, “I- uh. My corset.” from his small inhale she knows he understands, she shrugs off her cloak and feels Xaden moving onto the bed behind her. He begins to deftly unlace the corset of her armour, Violet’s cheeks burn at the thought of being topless in front of him. She isn’t even sure why she’s nervous, they’ve seen everything of each other now. But there is something inherently more intimate about being seeing her naked like this a pulse of pain behind her eyes causes her to close them sharply once more.

Xaden presses something into her hands before moving away, she hears the door open and then close with a click and once more she marvels at how he can read her so effortlessly. She realises faintly that he has handed her a loose shirt. With a shimmy she slips out of her corset and pulls the shirt over her head. It is long on her and comes to her mid-thigh. It was decidedly perfect for sleeping in. She shuffles her body slowly up to Xaden’s pillows before slipping under his covers, she doesn’t call out to him but a few seconds later he has returned, Violet’s consciousness is slipping away from her as sleep claims her.

She is fast asleep by the time Xaden joins her in bed, his arm brushes against her as he slides under the covers and he can’t help but watch as her chest slowly rises and falls in a soothing rhythm. Xaden, for the first time since he came to this place falls asleep in seconds.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Garrick runs a hand through his hair, these late-night trips to Aretia were really beginning to take it out of him, “He definitely didn’t take her back to her room so he must have taken her back to his.” the looks on Liam and Bodhi’s faces were almost worth the headache that was brewing behind his eyes.

“You think he slept with her?” Liam’s tone is scathing.

“Oh, I know he slept with her. I’m just not certain which type of ‘sleeping’ they did.” the grin on his face is devious, “I haven’t seen him yet this morning so I think we could probably catch her if we head to grab him for breakfast.”

The look the crosses over both men’s faces can only be described as mischievous, Garrick knows they are on board, “How would you feel if he did that to you?” Imogen’s tone is a bored one, but her eyes are narrowed at Garrick in warning.

Garrick rolled his eyes with a smirk, “I think it’s fair to say he’s interrupted me enough times. It is my turn to pay him back.” there is an annoyed blush on Imogen’s cheeks but if Garrick notices he doesn’t comment. He marches away from her in the direction of Xaden’s room; there is a pause for a moment before Liam and Bodhi follow with apologetic looks towards Imogen.

Garrick’s fist wraps against the dark wood of Xaden’s bedroom door; there is a pause before a thud and some muttered curses. The door opens a crack and Xaden’s eye appears in the space between the door and the frame, “What?” his tone is low.

“Thought you might want...breakfast?” Garrick’s eyes are alight with mischief, “Unless, you had a reason for not joining us.”

Xaden rolls his eyes opens his bedroom door before very quickly closing it behind him with him on the outside, “Just say it.”

“She’s in there isn’t she?” the grin on his face is goofy at best, he feels vindicated.

“She is.”

There is a giggle from behind Garrick and Xaden’s eyes drift to his cousin who quickly closes his mouth and tries to look innocent.

“Was there something else?” his tone was impatient, and his expression pinched.

Garrick offers him another smile, “Did you...both want breakfast?”

“No.” Xaden turns and goes back into his room without another word. As his door closes, he hears the sound of his closest friends laughing. The room is still dark and Violet groans slightly as she rolls over, “Hey.” Xaden moves across the room and perches on the edge of the bed, “How are you feeling?”

Violet places an arm over her eyes, the pain from the night before has not lessened. As she predicted it has spread and the ache in her head pulses painfully, “I feel awful.”

Her voice in his mind is a whisper and Xaden feels his heart skip slightly at the sound of pain in her voice, “How can I help?”

The offer of help is not an unwelcome one, but it makes Violet feels strange, she has managed her body and the flares that come with it all by herself for so long. The idea that someone would want to help her feels alien, “Sleep is what I need.” Sleep will also be hard to come by. Her knees are throbbing, and Violet can feel that if she rolls over, she’s probably going to dislocate a hip. “And maybe something for the pain.” The admission that she is even in pain costs her, but Xaden agrees within seconds.

“I’ll grab us both some food and have you excused from...oh. It’s the weekend.” he quickly corrects his mistake; there would be no lessons to be had. She had probably planned some flying practice with Tairn but her dragon would already know what state she was in so he wouldn’t need to share that either, “Try to get some sleep and I’ll be back as soon as I can.” his voice is soft and there is click as his bedroom door closes behind him.

Xaden finds his fellow marked ones at the breakfast table, “I thought you didn’t want breakfast.” Garrick grins at him as he quirks an eyebrow up teasingly.

“I didn’t...but Violet needs some food. Can you go to her room and grab a pain tincture?” he directs to Liam who is up and on his feet without a word.

Garrick’s smile faulters, “She’s still in pain?” he asks concern colouring the tone of his voice.

Xaden nods, “Brennan has explained it before, she gets these flares, sometimes they last days sometimes weeks. If you need me today...just don’t need me today.” he goes to turn away, but Garrick stops him with a hand on his arm.

“Before you go,” he motions for Xaden to move closer and lowers his tone so that they will not be overheard amongst the buzz of voices in the dining hall, “Barlowe.” Garrick gives Xaden a meaningful look, “If he is what we think he is...that won’t have killed him.”

Xaden’s heart skips a beat at the thought, “We don’t-”

“We do know that. They are much stronger than your average rider, and he could easily have pulled as he hit the ground. Just a thought for you.” Garrick’s tone had gone from joking to deadly serious in an instant and Xaden really wished he would go back to teasing him. Xaden allows his eyes to meet his friends’ and sees that while Garrick is serious, he is also afraid. Xaden allows himself a sombre nod before tearing his gaze away from Garrick and collecting some food for Violet and himself and heading back to his room.

The room is still dark as he enters, Violet responds slightly to the light pouring in from the corridor, there is a soft whimper from her, and Xaden closes the door as soon as he is inside. “When you’re feeling up to it, I have some food for you.” he tells her softly placing a tray of food down on his desk. A moment later there was a soft knock, and Liam had arrived with the pain tincture. Xaden takes it from him and closes the door once more with a soft click.

“You don’t have-” she stops herself before continuing in his head “you don’t have to do all this. I usually deal with this alone...”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m willing to help. Anything you need, I’ll do it.” Xaden perches himself on the edge of the bed. He knows that they need to talk about all of the things that have recently been revealed. Xaden feels like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for Lilith to arrive at his door and order both of them to their death in some way.

Violet shifts in the covers her hazel eyes peek from under the covers, “Was last night real? The venin?” there is a childlike quality to her voice that break’s Xaden’s heart.

Violet’s memory of her very early childhood is often hazy, she wonders if it was more that she didn’t want to remember it. She remembers the book, however. She knew it cover to cover and has one fond memory of her father reading it to all three of his children.

“You’re going to give them nightmares if you read that nonsense.” Lilith’s voice is sharp from the doorway of Violet’s bedroom. Violet, Mira and Brennan were all gathered around their father who had taken a moment away from his research to read to them.

“It’s only a story, love. They’ll be fine.” Asher’s tone is dismissive, and Lilith turns up her nose as she rolls her eyes before moving away from the door. “Right, are you ready?”

Violet, who is five, nods enthusiastically, she is desperate to have any positive interaction that she can with her father, “So where were we, ah yes.” he pauses flipping over a page and clearing his throat, “The barrens, a lonely desolate place. A place where horrors reside and stalk. The lands are dry and dusty the ground beneath your feet a sickly grey.” Violet’s small eyes widen slightly at the serious tone of her father’s voice; she makes a mental note to make sure that she asks Brennan what several of these words mean.

“I have the book Brennan mentioned. It is one that I kept after my father died. I don’t have many good memories of him but him reading that book to me is one. It described the barrens, venin and wyvern but it made them seem like fictional places and things.” Violet explains as she lets her eyes close while leaning back against the pillows her head continues to pound and she takes a steadying breath before opening her mouth, “I just keep running it over in my head and I can’t make it make sense. What reason does my mother...or any of those in power have for hiding this from the people?” her eyes remain closed, but she scrunches up her face as if the thought disgusts her completely.

Xaden hums low his own eyes scanning her in the low light, “I wish I could give you a simple answer Violence.” he pauses as she flinches slightly at the nickname but doesn’t correct him, “I know that my father’s attempted revolution was influenced heavily by his belief that the world needed to know about the venin and wyvern.”

Violet opens an eye and looks at him, “You know that makes a lot of sense.” She opens her other eye, and Xaden can feel his stomach flip at the intensity of her gaze, “It explains why Brennan left. But it doesn’t explain the reasoning behind Navarre hiding everything from us in the first place.” she frowns, and Xaden can see the cogs in her head begin to turn as she thinks about the possible reasoning behind the kingdom wanting to keep the people in the dark about such a massive potential danger. Her expression darkens and Xaden knows that she has worked it out, “They think for whatever reason that we are safe. That our wards will protect us and we won’t need to worry about anyone beyond-” she pauses as if another realisation has hit her, “That place...where Garrick takes us...” she pauses and her eyes meet his in a challenge, she is daring him to lie to her, “That place is beyond the wards isn’t it?”

His nod is short and sharp, “It is.”

“How many people?” she asks her voice shaking with the enormity of it.

“I don’t know the answer to that. Hundreds of thousands, millions even.” he tells her.

Violet is shaking her head in disbelief, “They’re willing to let that many people die?” her eyes are wide, but she knows without any confirmation from Xaden that her assumption is correct. Violet feels her heart stutter for a moment as she wonders how cold and heartless her mother truly is to be willing to allow this to happen. Her world tilts on its axis as she wonders what Mira knows, if her own sister is in on this lie and is willing to keep it. “How many people know?” she worries her bottom lip with her teeth.

Xaden shifts his position slightly, he allows himself a little more room but doesn’t dare do what he really wants which is to reach out and offer her comfort in another way, “Only those who are in positions of power know the truth. You’re worried about your sister. As far as we know she is in the dark.”

She lifts an eyebrow at him, “And you know a lot about what other people know I guess.”

Xaden pulls a face, and Violet wonders for a moment if he will let the comment go without addressing it. There is a heavy moment of silence before he replies, “I have to know what other people know, or my people will die.”

There is no judgement on Violet’s face as she nods knowingly, “I suppose you’re used to looking for trouble wherever you go. And now you have to keep looking out for the dangers that go after me.”

Xaden offers her a look which borders on pitying, “For what it is worth I think I would be doing that whether or not your life was tied to mine.” the admission burns through him, and he is sure that his cheeks have turned a bright pink.

Violet allows herself a smile as her own cheeks colour a delicate shade of pink.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 1 month ago

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Chapter 17: A world on fire

He lifts a hand to cup her cheek, “What do we do then Violence? Do we leave?” her heart is pounding out an erratic rhythm in her chest, she doesn’t know what the answer is to that question.

The ‘we’ in his question hangs between then and she wonders if he would leave with her and never come back, “I wanted so badly to-” she wants to open her heart, to tell him that she wanted to prove her mother wrong and become the rider that her mother never believed she could become. She wants to tell him that breathing hurts and her head is swimming, and she needs comfort and care, but the words leave her.

Xaden’s scarred brow lifts slightly and his head tilts to one side, “What did you want Violence?” the ball is firmly in her court, she gets to decide her future. Xaden’s fingers have moved from her cheek to stroke the nape of her neck; he toys with the soft hair his eyes still locked with hers.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/175002221

Chapter 17: A world on fire

The door closes behind Xaden with a soft click, he has walked Violet all the way back to her room and now stands in her bedroom with a look of pain etched on his brow. Violet doesn’t want to fall apart in front of him. She doesn’t want to cry and scream with him still in the room but if he doesn’t leave soon, she will be left with no other choice. Her hands have started to shake, and her vision is becoming spotty. She sits herself on her bed and places her head between her knees hoping to control her breathing and stop the panic attack that is threatening to overwhelm her.

She breathes in and out slowly and deeply. Still Xaden stands by her door watching her in a heavy silence. He seems afraid to break it, almost if he speaks, he will break something other than the silence. Violet doesn’t blame him, she is almost sure that if he speaks something insider her will shatter and she will be unable to catch all of the pieces.

“You can-” her voice cracks on a sob which works its way out of her chest, she heaves in a breath and tries to speak again, “You-” this time only managing a single word before the grief and exhaustion of the catch up to her, “I killed someone today.” she whispers meeting his gaze in a challenge to deny it.

“You did.” he confirms as he takes a few steps closer to her before kneeling at her feet. Just as he had done a few weeks before only this time he helps her to remove her boots rather than putting them on.

“She hates me so much.” Xaden doesn’t need to ask who ‘she’ is. He knows. He also can’t bring himself to deny it.

He lifts a hand to cup her cheek, “What do we do then Violence? Do we leave?” her heart is pounding out an erratic rhythm in her chest, she doesn’t know what the answer is to that question.

“I want to finish the War Games. I am not going to run.” there is a steel edge to her voice that ignites a fire in Xaden’s belly.

He rocks forward on his knees and tilts his head backwards, “Can I-” he doesn’t finish his question before her lips are pressed against his. She moved towards him slipping from the bed to meet him on the floor. Xaden gasps but recovers from his initial shock quickly and she allows him to take control of the kiss. Her mouth opens wider, and he tilts his head for better access to her lips. There is something about this kiss that already feels out of control. One of his hands slip from her face; the one that had been toying with hair at the base of her skull delve deeper into her hair while the other slides down her body to grip her hip.

She moans into his mouth and Xaden’s eyes fly wide and for a moment sanity reasserts itself and he jumps away from her as if he has received a shock. “I shouldn’t-” he forces a hand through his curls his eyes lingering on her lips, already swollen from the kiss, parted slightly clearly asking for more.

“Didn’t I already tell you that this hot and cold act isn’t working.” she climbs to her feet and reaches for him, like a magnet he is pulled towards her without really thinking. She lifts a hand to his cheek and smiles to herself as he closes his eyes and leans in.

“We have so much to discuss and plan Violence. This is a distraction. You are very distracting.” her heart flutters to hear him say it.

Violet would have to agree with him there. They definitely have a lot to discuss and plan but, in this moment, she can’t bring herself to care about anything except the man standing before and the way he makes her heart beat faster and heat pool low in her stomach. “After.” she whispers as she pushes herself up onto her tiptoes to kiss him again. Xaden’s hands are on her a second later, they grip her hips with bruising strength before he lifts her into his arms. She groans at the feel of his body pressed against hers.

Xaden pauses again and Violet wants to groan for an entirely different reason, “I need to hear you say it.”

She looks at him quizzically, “Say what?” she asks.

He presses his forehead against hers for a second before pressing a kiss to the hollow of her throat, his breath ghosting over her neck, “Say yes. Say that this is what you want.”

Violet smiles fondly as he buries his face in her neck almost in an attempt to hide, “Yes.” she is sure her voice will be muffled to his ears as he continues to press kisses to her throat, “Fuck yes Xaden. I want thi-” his mouth claims hers in a bruising kiss, he doesn’t wait for her to continue but feels her pressing insistently against his shields, “I want you.” her voice in his head is sultry, seductive even, Xaden doesn’t need that though, he’s already seduced.

“Fuck, Violence.” his tone is reverent as he continues to press kiss after kiss to her neck. She hums her approval as he presses her against the nearest wall, at her gasp his lips return to hers. He devours her, his tongue sweeping into Violet mouth before he pulls away again to look her in the eye, her pupils are blown wide, and he is sure that his will look the same.

Xaden lifts a leg to brace her against the wall as he begins to make quick work of her leathers. Buttons come undone and laces are pulled away. She reaches for his leathers and does the very same until his leathers hang open and his chest is bare beneath them, and her dragon scale armour is exposed. He growls at the site as he leans towards her once more and grazes his teeth against her neck before whispering, “I might need to put you down for that.” she nods causing delicious friction against his teeth once more that sends shivers up and down her spine.

Once he has set her on her feet he shucks off his own clothes and smirks as she stares at him with unabashed appreciation. There is lust written all over her face, Xaden’s grin turns feral as she removes her own leathers and begins reaching for the laces that hold her corset together. Xaden reaches for her and turns her quickly around so that he has access to the laces himself. He holds her still for a few seconds as he allows her brain to adjust after the sudden movement.

“Sorry.” he whispers into her hair before sweeping her braid over one shoulder and delicately loosening the laces. The moment her skin is revealed he bends and presses kisses to the newly exposed skin. She sighs in relief as the corset drops to the floor, her skin is marked by the lines from the corset and Xaden gently smooths the skin under his hands. His face is a mirror of hers earlier as he stares in awe of her body.

He turns her around again so that she is facing him, her arms lift slightly as her cheeks heat in embarrassment at the intensity of his gaze. He catches her hands stopping her from covering herself as he whispers, “You are so beautiful.” the redness in her cheeks deepens even more.

Before the butterflies in her stomach take away all of her bravery, she allows her hazel eyes to meet his. Her breath hitches at the feelings that she can see reflected in them. Time slows for her as he leans down while cradling her face bringing his lips to hers once more. He backs her up a few paces until she knocks her back against the armoire.

His hand reaches for her trousers; he unbuttons them before pulling them down. Violet helps him shimmying out of them and then standing in front of him in nothing but her underwear. He lifts her again kissing her with all of the passion that he has tied so desperately to push down over the last few months. Violet wraps her arms around his neck and allows her head to fall back against the armoire with a heavy thud as Xaden’s lips begin to trail hot kisses down the side of her neck once more.

With one hand braced against the armoire the other slides up her thigh before dipping around and underneath reaching for her. She gasps slightly as his fingers brush hesitantly against her core. He can feel that she is ready for him through her pants and a guttural groan escapes him at the realisation.

His fingers dip under the confines of her underwear and she hisses in appreciation as he groans, “So wet for me already Violence.”

“Xa-den.” his name is a prayer on her lips.

Xaden’s lips attach to hers as he sinks a finger into her. She sighs and keens and Xaden can feel her walls trying desperately to clench his finger and pull him deeper. “Patience Vi. I’m going to take my time with you.” he promises her as he languidly pulls his finger in and out at a slow and steady pace. “Fuck, look at you.”

Her mouth hangs open and her eyes are turning glassy, but she needs more, needs him deeper, faster. She wants to feel him inside her. Violet runs a tongue along her own lips before worrying the bottom one, “You’ll have plenty of time for that Xaden. But now, right now I need you to fuck me.” her request causes his fingers to bottom out inside her stuttering slightly before he picks up his pace.

“First you’re going to cum on my fingers then you’re going to come around me.”

Violet’s stomach flips and the butterflies begin to swirl in her stomach in earnest, “Please Xaden.” his thumb brushes against her clit and she bucks against him in response to the stimulation, “I need, I need-”

His smirk is definitely the cockiest she’s ever seen it as he says, “I know what you need Violence. Just let go.” his fingers piston in and out and he swipes against her clit a few more times, he can feel her insides fluttering and clenching against him as he slowly adds a second finger. Her hands grip his shoulders as her breathing hitches again as she teeters on the edge. Her fingers tighten as she feels herself unravel under his ministrations, “Yes, Violet. Cum for me.” The flash of lightning outside the window splits the sky and Xaden grins in satisfaction knowing that he is the reason for that particular release of power.

He pulls his hand from her underwear and turns them both towards the bed, he lays her down gently as she slowly comes down from the euphoric high, he had brought her to. Once he has laid her down, he begins to work on his own pants, pulling them down and releasing himself. Her wide pupils blow even wider at the sight of him and once again Xaden feels a sense of satisfaction at the appreciation with which she is looking at him with.

Xaden crawls over her, he covers her body with his, “I’m going to ask you again Violence.”

She locks her eyes with his still slightly delirious with endorphins flooding her system, “Xaden. I take the fertility suppressant...” she is serious, “no more talking.” she reaches for him and has to stop herself from moaning as she wraps a hand around him, the anticipation of feeling him inside her is almost too much.

Xaden closes his eyes for a moment as she rubs his tip against her opening before he sinks himself inside her and whispers her name, “Violet, fuck you feel good.” he reaches for her bending himself low over her body as he shifts his hips until he is fully sheathed. His lips find hers and the kiss is slow and deliberate before he begins to pull out relishing the feel of her wrapped around him. He may had said before that he wants to take his time and make this last but the small breathy moans from Violet as he rocks his hips forward are going to be his undoing. The sight of her once again of the edge of oblivion is enough to have Xaden’s heart thundering in his chest as the nerve endings all over his body ignite.

Xaden thinks he has it in him to last, he can feel her getting closer and closer and he’s sure than he can coax a third orgasm from her before he finds his own release. He reached between their bodies and brushes lightly against her clit once more the reaction from her is almost instantaneous. Her eyes rollback in her head and she moans deep and long as her insides clench around him. There are several flashes of light one that is quickly followed by the smell of burning, “Oh shit.” Xaden mutters as he uses his shadows to extinguish the flames before they can set something else alight.

Xaden leans over her once more, his head buried against her neck as he pressed feather light kisses to her neck as she pants attempting to regain control of her breathing. Xaden continues to piston in and out his thrusts become more erratic as his own orgasm rushes to meet him. He is still bent low over her body as he thrusts himself to completion with a roar.

Their sweat covered bodies stick to one another as Xaden tries to use his forearms to hold himself up, so he doesn’t crush Violet’s body. He breathes for a few moments just allowing his eyes to trail over her face, still not quite believing what has just transpired between them, “Wow.” he breathes out, there is a serene smile covering Violet’s face and he is sure that she agrees with his sentiment. He breathes in the moment for a few more seconds before shifting his weight and lying back on the bed, his mind is racing as he takes stock of all the things that they need to discuss, her mother, her brother, Jack.

It almost feels like she senses the shift in his concentration, her breathing hitches as she rolls to face him, “Straight back to business?” her tone is light and teasing but there is a fear in her eyes, she doesn’t want to leave this bubble, doesn’t want to accept that her world has fundamentally shifted and changed beyond recognition. Xaden reaches for her, her skin rapidly cooling as the sweat dries, goosebumps appearing on her arms and legs.

A shiver ripples through her as she shifts closer to him allowing him to wrap his arms around her, “I wish I didn’t have to go back to business. I wish we could melt into each other and fuck the consequences.” he whispers into the top of her head. Something between them has changed, he has accepted that these feelings he has been trying to fight are very real and hiding from them would only hurt both of them beyond measure. “But the consequences would probably cost us our lives.”

Violet’s breathing hitches again, “I cost someone their life.” the silence that falls between them feels like it could echo on forever.

There was a vulnerability in her tone that broke something in Xaden, his arms tighten around her, “He would not have felt any remorse had he ended yours.” Xaden points out, however he falls short of telling her not to feel the remorse that is currently swirling around her, he knows better than to tell her how to feel.

Violet is quick to bury her face in Xaden’s shoulder a shuddering breath tells him she is trying desperately not to cry, “I’ve never- I'm not-” she exhales softly before pulling in a deep breath, “It feels like it changes everything. Killing someone. Becoming a murderer.”

A hand moves to her chin and Xaden forces her to meet his eyes, “If you hadn’t done what you did Liam would be dead. I will forever be in your debt for that Violence.” she tries to lower her eyes to avoid the look in his that screams adoration and respect, she feels that she doesn’t deserve it. “I know you never wanted to be a weapon, I know you were probably destined to be a great scribe.”

“Who- Brennan.” she pulls away from him grabbing her blanket and wrapping it around herself to shield from the feelings but also his gaze. She feels too exposed in this moment, too seen.

Xaden shuffles himself until he is resting against the headboard in an upright position, “I know you both still have a lot to discuss, I also know that your brother loves you.”

The scoff from her is full of pain, “If he loved me, he would’ve taken me with him.”

“He tried.”

Someone is screaming, a raw sound that echoes off the mountains around him. It takes Brennan a moment to realise that the hoarse voice belongs to him. The screams that have bounced around this valley have been ripped from his throat. Tears blur his vision as he surveys the scene before him. Naolin’s body is a crumpled mess, his skin grey and his eyes devoid of life. Memories and flashes come to him in fits and starts but it doesn’t make sense none of it makes sense. Brennan reaches for Naolin hoping that he is just near burn out, he knows better, the roar of the massive black dragon overhead tells him all he needs to know.

“Sorrengail.” Fen Riorson stands before him, and Brennan sees flashes again of a memory. The sword he is holding loosely at his side buried in Brennan’s own chest, confusion colours his expression as he looks down at his leathers, the slick in the fabric is still there but Brennan’s body is miraculously whole.

“What did he do?” the desperate whisper of a child escapes him as he lifts his hands in submission. The tears that had blurred his vision before now streak down his cheeks creating clear pathways in the dirt that clings desperately to his skin.

“You were dead.” Fen states his tone cold, but his sword is still not raised.

Brennan nods his head still not quite believing it to be true, “He gave his life-” Brennan gasps before turning his head to the skies once more as more memories come to him, “The wyvern, the venin. Fuck.” the blue streaks that they had seen heading towards them hadn’t been dragons but have definitely been foes. He allows his amber eyes to lift as they meet Fen’s, “I’ve been lied to.” it isn’t a question, so Fen doesn’t offer a response, “How much is my government...my own mother hiding from me?”

Fen nods, “Enough to make me the enemy. This wasn’t some mad grab for power, I wanted to show the people what those in Calldyr and Basgiath are hiding from them. You’ve been sold a life your entire life.” his hand that is holding his sword clenches and unclenches slightly as if he is weighing both his sword and his options, “I offer you a choice.”

“Live or die?” Brennan offers his lip curling slightly in derision as he allows his gaze to fall on Naolin’s corpse once more.

“Defection and the truth or a life of lies with your mother.” Brennan can feel his eyes widen at the prospect he is being offered life either way as if to solidify the offer Fen sheaths his sword behind his back.

He needs more time than either of them have in this moment, he knows that defecting is a death sentence of its own, but would it be worth it to fight the real enemy. He had seen the death incarnate that the venin were, but Violet. Poor young innocent Violet. Could he really leave her alone with their mother and father like this? They already neglected her but without him who would reset her bones, who would mend the scrapes and scratches, who would put her back together after their mother’s words had picked her apart. “I need to know that Violet my little sister will be safe and looked after.” Fen seems surprised by the request, while Lilith Sorrengail’s name was known across the continent many didn’t know that Violet even existed.

“I don’t know-”

“I need her to be here. She will die without me.” the cold edge to Fen’s features soften slightly as he regards the man before him.

“I will make no promises Sorrengail but I can try.”

Brennan nods, before saying one last thing in the valley where he died, “It’s Aisereigh now.” in return Fen offers one short sharp nod of his own.

Violet has stopped breathing, her heart is still pumping, and her lungs are screaming at her to inhale and exhale but she can’t, “I don’t understand.” she whispers expelling what is surely the last of her air before she pulls in a deep and painful breath.

“He asked my dad to bring you to Aretia.” Xaden tells her as if it isn’t the most earth-shattering thing he has ever said.

“He tried...he wanted-” there is a betrayal in her tone that she desperately wants to get rid of. She had believed, since learning that her brother was alive, that he had abandoned her. This information flew in the face of that so completely that she isn’t sure what is up and what is down anymore.

Xaden nods slowly, “My dad tried, but your mother kept you so hidden away like a dirty secret that he couldn’t find you.”

Violet’s brow furrows and Xaden is sure she’s going to ask him a question that he isn’t ready to answer, “What was so awful that my brother would defect anyway?”

He had been ready for it on some level, but the question still knocked the wind out of him, he had been helped before by her disdain for her brother but now that she knew he wanted to bring her with him her curiosity could not be silence, “If I tell you this...it’ll change everything Violet. You need to be ready to drop everything you have ever loved and-”

“I’m ready.”

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #the empyrean fanfic #fourth wing #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #writing

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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Chapter 16: War Games

There is a low appreciative whistle from her right as Ridoc comes into view, his brown swordtail eyes Tairn carefully as he shouts, “Looking good Sorrengail.” he calls out whistling again. Violet’s stomach swoops as Tairn shoots up into the sky.

“A little warning next time wouldn’t hurt, you know.” she huffs as the straps from her saddle bite into her thighs but hold her securely in place. Violet reaches for the shadowy gold flecked door in her archives in her head, she pushes gently and is let in. She whispers her thanks to him for the saddle, he doesn’t respond but she knows that he heard her because a few seconds later she feels his shields lock up tight. He needs to focus on keeping his wing alive.

The sky becomes the ground which in turn becomes the sky again as Tairn spins causing Violet’s stomach to lurch violently, she knows better than to complain and it certain he only did it to send her a message that she shouldn’t voice her displeasure again.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/173583505

Chapter 16: War games

The sky is clear and birds streak across it as Violet and her squad settle in for breakfast. The buffet looks particularly full this morning and Violet wonders whether that is because most cadets are avoiding eating so that they don’t hurl it up later on today.

“Don’t even think about skipping breakfast Silver One.” Tairn’s tone is disapproving as the thought enters her head.

“Don’t worry old man I’ll make sure I eat.” Andarna’s laughter is light music in her head which makes her smile.

The explanation for the first challenge of war games takes about half an hour. The challenge seems to be based on capture the flag. The squads are divided into teams; one teams on defence and the other on offence.

Violet finds herself and her squad on defence first, she feels eyes boring into the back of her head and turns to find Jack Barlowe staring her down with something akin to a glee filled smile on his lips.

“Don’t tell me we’re up against Barlowe first?” Violet mutters through gritted teeth to Rhiannon who tenses slightly in front of her before nodding slowly, “Fuuuuck.” she breathes out the curse before adding, “He’s really going to go for me today.”

Rhiannon spins around and grips Violet by her shoulders, “So you need to make sure, you get him first.” her brown eyes lock with Violet’s for a moment before Violet nods in response. They both stand there for a second staring at each other and breathing slowly to calm their racing hearts.

“I wish I was coming with you, but Tairn says it won’t be safe.” Andarna’s voice is soft and sad in Violet’s head as she walks towards Tairn who appears to be wearing something. She moves to the side of him to inspect what appears to be a saddle strapped to his back.

“Maybe next time Andarna.” she pauses before meeting Tairn’s eye, “What is this?”

“I think you humans would call it a saddle.” Violet resists the urge that she has to roll her eyes in frustration.

“Yes, thank you. I can see that. Where did it come from?” She asks but she already knows, of course she already knows. She looks for him in that moment but he’s probably dealing with wingleader things. “He did it, didn’t he?”

Tairn huffs out a puff of hot air in response as Violet climbs up his front leg and situates herself in the saddle. She notices then that there are buckles to hold her in place as well. “He thought of everything.”

Xaden’s voice bellows deep and clear across the sky as he instructs his wing to get into different positions. Violet feels the way the muscles in Tairn’s back tense as he banks to the left and positions himself as close to Sgaeyl as is safe. Xaden’s eyes meet hers across the backs of their dragons and a ghost of a smile graces his lips before his expression hardens into the mask of the cold wingleader that he often wears. Xaden gives the orders carefully and makes it clear to the wing that they are on the offensive first, they need to capture flags and try to keep themselves out of trouble.

Violet looks out towards where the flags are being guarded by another wing. From where she is she can see an orange swordtail twisting and turning in the air. She knows without really looking that the rider is Jack Barlowe.

A loud crack pierces the air, the sound signifying the beginning of the first challenge. A flurry of movement in the air as different coloured dragons spin and twirl around each other. Violet braces her knees against Tairn’s back once again grateful that Xaden had her the saddle made, Tairn is flying at such a speed that Violet is sure without the saddle she would have fallen from him several times over already. Violet looks to Rhiannon who is relaying instructions to Ridoc and Sawyer.

Violet ducks her head and feels Tairn turn towards Rhiannon. With instructions given she nods her head and bites her lip.

“I hope you told the General you love her recently.” a raspy voice pulls her attention away from Rhiannon.

She doesn’t reply, he doesn’t deserve whatever biting response she could give him, her eyes lock, in a silent battle, with his icy blue ones.

“Because after today, you won’t get the chance.”

The next few hours are a blur of wings and flags and the ear-splitting roars of multiple dragons. A spot of a gold catches Violet’s eye as Tarin banks to one side, she remembered briefly that Xaden had mentioned that out on the battlefield eggs would have been hidden, these eggs were worth double the number of points that the flags were.

“I’m guessing that you saw that as well Silver one.” Tarin’s voice rumbles as he turns again bringing her closer to it.

“I have my eye on it, if you just get us low enough I can scoop it up.” Tarin huffs out a breath in annoyance at the implication that he couldn’t do something so simple. Violet stretches and strains against the straps of her saddle as her fingers close around the coarse shell of the egg.

“I have the egg.” she calls in her head to Xaden.

“Heading to you.” his tone is strained, and Violet wonders if there is a hint of panic in his voice.

A flash of colour above her draws Violet’s eye, red and orange dragons are engaged in a deadly dance in the sky. With one arm wrapped around the egg Violet’s eyes are glued to the sky, “We have to help Liam.”

“On it.” Tarin’s tone is clipped and Violet hunkers down as he pushes up and heaves them both higher into the sky, they climb and climb until they are level with the tangling dragons. Violet’s hands grip tightly onto the saddle her knuckles turn white and her stomach swoops as they climb before suddenly banking to one side.

Violet felt panic grip her as Deigh and Baide fly around each other. Violet’s eyes are drawn then to Jack who is standing on Baide’s back with his sword drawn, “Liam’s in trouble, hurry!” she presses the thought across their bond to Xaden, he doesn’t reply but she can feel his emotions and they make her own heart flip flop in fear and panic that she knows is not her own.

Jack has skipped across the scales on Baide’s back and leaps across the gap between the dragons to land on Deigh’s back. Violet’s hurt lurches again but this time something feels different, her fear manifests itself in a feeling of heat, a heat that tingles her fingertips and causes the hair on her arms to stand on end. Violet feels her heart sink to somewhere in her stomach at the thought that her signet is about to backfire on her and she’s about to spontaneously combust.

“Ground, now!” the urgency in Tairn’s voice is enough to have her planting her feet firmly in her archives before she looks desperately across at Liam who has pulled out his own sword but is ducking and dodging Jack’s swipes.

“We need to get closer.” as she says the words in her head she watches with horror as Jack catches Liam with the flat of his sword and Liam loses his balance on the back of his dragon, he staggers two steps and Jack advances thrusting his sword through Liam’s side, there is a breath before he slips from Deigh’s back. Violet’s heart just about stops as she watches him fall, “LIAM!” her voice screams out as a second later to Tairn she says, “You have to catch him!”

“On it.” there is no judgement in his tone as he dives for Liam. Violet has one eye on her friend and another on Jack who has managed to roll from Deigh onto a nearby tower. The feeling of fire igniting her veins once more frightens her as she focuses on Jack who has a sadistic grin splitting his face open.

Tairn continues to dive, his claws open, reaching for Liam. Violet turns away from Jack and looks at Liam the blood blooming at his side, she can see it shining in the sunlight against the black of his leathers. Tairn’s claws close around his body and his wings extend to catch the air. “Is he alive?” Violet calls out her voice shaking as the wind whips around her face.

Her eyes shoot back to Jack who is crowing with victory, he has his sword held high above his head. His sword is red. Red with Liam’s blood. The fire in her veins is back and Violet knows that there is no amount of grounding that will make this fire go away. She has to unleash it. An unnatural scream is ripped from her throat as she extends the arm that isn’t gripping the egg as if her life depends on it. As her hand reaches for the sky, she feels a tether to something, and she pulls. The tether is stretched taut before she feels it snap, and light erupts from the clouds streaking down to hit the tower that Jack is standing on. There is a massive explosion and Tairn tucks Liam against his body as he rolls away from the flying rocks. Violet locks her eyes on the avalanche that follows, and she knows there is no way that Jack survived that fall or the crush of those rocks.

“Lightning wielder.” there is unmistakable pride in Tairn’s growl as it echoes through Violet’s head.

Violet’s hands shake as the energy dissipates from her body, she can see a large dragon closing in on her position, she knows without reaching out that it is Xaden.

“Let’s get Liam to the healers.” the voice in her own head is drained as she glances down at Liam who is looking frighteningly pale against Tairn’s claws.

As the healers take Liam away Violet presents Xaden with the shining golden egg, her hands are shaking, and her knees feel weak. One of Xaden’s hands grip the egg while the other holds onto her arm. He is steady and firm and offers her all the support that she needs in that moment.

Jack is dead.

He deserved it but he’s dead.

“Talk to me.” Xaden’s voice is stern, and his eyes are hard.

Violet feels shellshocked, her whole body is vibrating as her head begins to swim, “I can’t. I need.” Xaden has given the egg to Garrick who lifts it above his head to uproarious celebrations from the rest of the wing. Xaden’s other hand closes around her bicep as he holds her steady.

“What do you need?” his voice in her head is smooth and soothing.

“I need to sit or I’m going to pass out.” Xaden nods and marches her over to a rock which is the right height for her to sit on. Xaden notices movement as a few people approach, his onyx and gold flecked eyes lock on the group, Rhiannon, Ridoc and Sawyer have sheepish expressions as they approach.

“Was that her?” Rhiannon’s question is directed to Xaden, but her eyes remain glued to Violet’s pale shaken face.

Xaden nods but offers her no words his attention drawn back to Violet, “Should I send them away?” he offers her the out but any response from her is cut off as Garrick comes marching back over.

“Xay, we’ve got trouble.” he nods over to where the General is marching towards them a murderous look on her face.

“Get out of here.” he directs to her friends as he nods to Garrick to do the same. By the time Lilith has reached them most cadets have cleared off the flight field.

“You will bring her to my office, now.” there is ice in her eyes and venom in her words. Once she has delivered the message she spins on her spot and marches away looking to anyone as though she is a concerned mother. Xaden however knows that the reality is far from that.

Being a ghost in your own home was something that Violet had slowly gotten used to. After Brennan’s death and then her father’s passing Violet has managed to haunt the halls of her home without seeing or speaking to her mother for months. The summons to her office strike her as strange. Violet wonders whether her mother was finally going to send her away to live with her grandmother or just kick her out and disown her entirely.

She stands with her back straight, her eyes are glued to the map on the wall above her mother’s head. Lilith had called her into the room a few moments before but has yet to actually acknowledge her daughter’s presence. The soft scratching of her pen against the paper she is writing on, and Violet’s own breathing are the only sounds to be heard. The room is cold, but Violet feels colder, her fingers and toes feeling icy as she wiggles them against the cold. Violet is unsurprised to see that there isn’t a single item in this room that could be connected to her. There isn’t an item that would connect her to any of her children, but Violet wonders whether that is mostly due to self-preservation on Lilith’s part. If she doesn’t have items, she won’t have to burn them when they die.

Violet’s heart lurches at the thought, she remembers the bear that had been Brennan’s being ripped from her hands before it was tossed onto the pyre along with every other piece of him. It didn’t matter that he had given her the bear when he’d gone to Basgiath, it had once been his so it needed to burn.

Violet is lost in her own thoughts as her mother finally looks up at her, “Ah good, you’re here.” her tone isn’t pleased as she places her pen down and folds her hands over one another as she narrows her gaze at her daughter, “I needed to see you to inform you that you will be joining the rider’s quadrant in September. That is all.” she lifts one hand and waves it in a dismissive motion.

Violet’s hazel eyes lock with her mothers’ for a moment as she stares in utter disbelief, “What do you mean?” tears are already filling her eyes making her vision blurry, this has been everything she has been working for and to have it ripped away mere months from making it into the scribe quadrant feels unnaturally cruel.

Lilith allows her eyes to narrow, she doesn’t entertain questions to her orders, “You heard me. Now. Go.” there was no room for questions there was never any room for questions with her. Violet’s posture falters as she allows her shoulders to slump knowing that there is no point in sticking around as her mother won’t listen to any sort of reasoning that she can come up with as to why she should absolutely not be joining the rider’s quadrant.

The moment she makes it out of her mother’s office she breaks into a run, her knees wobble and her ankles threaten to roll. She makes it back to her room without any physical injury. The one to her soul however feels very real. Violet moves to her desk and pulls out a piece of paper where she begins to write a desperate message to her sister. There is some dangerous hope flickering inside her that Mira can somehow save her from this.

Xaden and Violet shift uncomfortably side by side in the General’s office. Both of them no doubt recalling the last time they were here. The room is still cold and still devoid of any personal touches but there is a marked difference in the way Lilith Sorrengail is pacing back and forth in front of her desk. Xaden’s eyes track her as she marches, he is now more sure than ever that it is fear that he has seen colouring her expressions the last few times he has seen her.

"General.” he breaks the silence with his low voice. Her eyes fly to meet his with a wild feral quality to her expression, “How can we help you?” he asks her steadily as his eyes slide further to left to focus on Violet’s hands that are clasped in front of her.

“I made a request of you Riorson.” Xaden notices Violet take a half step back he feels the breath leave her in a sharp exhale as if hearing her mother admit it was enough to knock the breath out of her entirely.

“You did. I am no longer able to fulfil that request.”

Her eyes narrow as she glances at her daughter, “No I suppose not. You need to get her out of here by the end of the week or Melgren will-”

“Melgren will what?” Violet finds air and her voice as her eyes narrow at the woman who gave birth to her.

Lilith’s gaze fixes on her daughter and Xaden sees something inside her break, “He will burn this place to the ground to ensure that you are dead.”

“Explain.” Xaden’s one word request was met by a glare from the General.

“I don’t owe you-”

“You owe me though don’t you mom?” there would be tears shining in her eyes if they weren’t so completely filled with rage.

Xaden isn’t sure what surprises him more, hearing Violet call Lilith ‘mom’ or the fact that the General then opens her mouth to provide them with a long-awaited explanation, “Melgren saw a battle coming, he saw you and he saw death. He said that you would bring about the destruction of everything that we have worked so hard to build. Originally, I thought I could change it by putting you in a different quadrant, but he came to me again and said that his vision of the battle had changed but not for the better.” Violet’s jaw is set in a tight line, her eyes are fixed on a point somewhere above her mother’s head and she is repressing the urge to scream, there was something sickening about hearing her mother confirm that she was destined to bring about the end of everything that her mother has fought her entire life for.

“And you expect what from us General?” Xaden’s tone is cold, devoid of emotion as his eyes refuse to meet the General’s.

Lilith pulls a face like she’s sucking on a lemon before she speaks again, “She needs to not be here. I don’t care if it costs you war games, I don’t care if you get branded a traitor or a deserter. I need her out of here.”

Violet’s fists clench and unclench in front of her as rage courses through her veins, the way that Lilith speaks about her as if she isn’t even in the room, “Why didn’t you get rid of me yourself?” her eyes are still fixed on a point above Lilith’s head, she still can’t bring herself to meet her mother’s eye.

“I-” she starts as if she has more to say, she allows her mouth to open and close a few times before she snaps it shut with a finality that curdles something in Violet’s stomach.

Xaden is fidgeting next to her as if he is desperate to say something, but the words just won’t come, “I don’t think it really matters that you couldn’t end her life. What matters is the cruelty you subjected her to even before Melgren made any prophecy about her.”

The colour drains from Lilith’s face, she looks desperate to ask him how he could possibly know about that. Violet is fighting her own urge to ask him the same, but she can wait until they’re out of here, she can hold her tongue.

“You have until the end of the week- until the end of War Games.” Lilith pulls out her chair and sits at her desk, she doesn’t actively dismiss them, but the dismissal is implied. Xaden’s hand finds the crook of Violet’s elbow and he gently guides her from the room. He walks her out and down the spiral staircase and towards her room. Neither of them speak. Violet controls her breathing but is silently glad that Xaden has one hand on her elbow, she isn’t sure she would’ve managed to leave the room without his help.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #the empyrean fanfic #fourth wing #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

8 notes · View notes

caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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Chapter 15: An olive branch

Xaden winces as Garrick’s hand slaps against his back, “You two doing your weird-” he stops and points at his head and Xaden’s head while narrowing his eyes, “Because that sure looked like she was walking away pissed at you and I definitely didn’t hear you say a word.”

“I don’t remember asking you Tavis.” Xaden replies with a huff, “I will be in need of your help this evening though.”

“You’re always in need of my help Xaden. Are you going to tell him that you kissed his sister?” Garrick can’t hold in his laugh as Xaden’s whole body freezes, his shadows twitch involuntarily and his eyes lock with his friend.

“How did you know?”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/172733287#workskin

Chapter 15: An olive branch

Classes continue and Violet tries to keep her head down, Liam the ever constant at her back has started looking at her with a more discerning eye. She’s sure he knows about Xaden and the stolen moments the two keep sharing. She feels her cheeks redden as the thought slips into her head. She wonders how much Liam really knows. Violet’s work is as always excellent, she tries her best not to draw the attention of Barlowe, after the challenge with the oranges he hasn’t said much to her, but his glare is icy as ever. No one has asked about the powers he had used to hurt her, but she can feel the pain echoing in her joints sometimes when she’s lying in bed late at night. With war games looming Violet’s main focus is locked in. She can feel Tairn’s power igniting her skin periodically, but she hasn’t yet had a signet manifest and she’s becoming more and more concerned that she is going to burn up if it doesn’t happen soon.

Violet and her squad are crossing the courtyard in between classes; Rhiannon is talking but Violet is distracted as voices and a commotion start coming from a couple of riders a short distance away. At this point Violet is so used to attempts on her life that she tenses almost instantly, readying herself to pull one or more of her daggers from their sheaths. Liam has already positioned himself half in front of her before she can even take another step.

A scream rips out of throat of one of the young men in the group to their left, Jeramiah. He is clutching at his head and staggering from side to side, “So. Much. Noise.” he grits out as his breathing becomes ragged, his eyes focus on one of his friends, “What is he doing? Why is he screaming? No no no.” his eyes are wild and Liam tenses in front of Violet as the rider’s eyes sweep across the students in the courtyard, “Oh no, he’s...” the rider’s eyes blow wide before he settles on Violet, “Is someone going to help-” his words are cut of abruptly as professor Carr reaches the rider wraps his fingers firmly around his neck and jerks it to one side. The crack is audible even from across the courtyard.

The gasps from everyone are loud, “What the hell was that?” Violet forces Liam to turn to face her.

To her surprise it is Xaden’s voice that answers her inside her own head, she has to fight the urge to jump as her eyes search for his, “ He was an inntinnsic. He could read people’s thoughts.” Violet feels the colour drain from her face.

“That’s what I had been thinking before he was killed,” she pauses before clarifying, “Is someone going to help him. He said it...that was awful.”

“That it was Violence.” Violet jumps as Xaden appears at her side, his back is straight, but she feels the back of his hand brush against her knuckles, “I’m heading with Garrick to see your brother after lessons today if you wanted to come?” there is something that sounds like hope in his tone.

Violet can’t stop herself from looking up at him and letting an eye brow lift questioningly, “Why are you going to see him?” Xaden’s posture seems to stiffen even more.

It seems that he wasn’t expecting her to ask him any questions, which Xaden thinks on reflection is his own fault, he should’ve known she would want to know why, “I need to give him a few updates. There are some things I need to discuss with him.” Xaden’s reply is deliberately evasive which only seems to make Violet more suspicious as he eyes narrow at him.

“I’ll come with if you want to tell me exactly why you’re going to see Brennan...” Violet feels suddenly confrontational; she already knows that he won’t tell her anything. She pulls an unimpressed face before tugging on Liam’s arm to pull him towards their next class.

“I don’t remember asking you Tavis.” Xaden replies with a huff, “I will be in need of your help this evening though.”

“How did you know?”

Garrick smirks before patting Xaden on the back, “You are my best and oldest friend,” he pauses and Xaden wonders if he’s going to leave his response at that, “I’ve always been able to tell when you have feelings and I can also tell when you act on those feelings.” he stops again and is delighted to see his friend’s cheeks turn a shade of pink, “You’ve been different around her since we found her on the flight field that night.”

“I actually hate how observant you are.” is Xaden’s only comment in return.

Garrick’s grin is wide as he moves past his friend, “I’ll come find you at your room after lessons.”

Xaden’s response is a grunt of the affirmative.

Brennan is hunched low over his desk as he reads the latest reports coming in from those who have been actively fighting the venin. He squints slightly at the map on the wall before grabbing a red pen and some pins, he begins to redraw the lines of the battle map carefully with where they know to have been drained and the most recent sightings of the venin. He huffs loudly as he takes a step back from the map. It isn’t looking good. The unease settles in, and fear causes the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.

Marbh’s voice startles Brennan slightly, “Those two troublemakers are back.”

Brennan smirks to himself, “One of those troublemakers owns this house I’m living in. Are they coming in or do they want me out there?”

There is a pause as Marbh surveys the pair for a few moments, “They’re heading inside.”

Brennan is still standing staring at the map when Garrick and Xaden walk in. They don’t stop to greet him, instead they flank him and both stare at the map with something that feels like fear coiling relentlessly in their stomachs.

“This a recent update?” Garrick asks taking a half step closer to the map, his eyes glance over the newly coloured red sections.

Brennan nods, “Yeah, I was updating it just before you got here. It looks bad.”

“Because it is bad.” Xaden mutters pulling a hand through his hair before walking away from the map and slumping into a chair, “And if what I’ve come here to tell you is true it is a lot worse than that.”

Brennan swivels to look at him and Garrick raises an eyebrow, he usually knows better than to ask Xaden what is on the agenda, but this has his interest piqued, “What do you think is true Xaden?” Brennan asks his eyes narrowing as he moves to sit on the other side of desk.

Xaden rocks himself forwards pulling both hands through his hair in frustration. He takes a breath before looking up at Brennan, “I think that we have venin at Basgiath.”

Garrick’s brows shoot up into his hairline before he frowns, “What the fuck?”

“Explain. Quickly.” Brennan’s tone is clipped, and Xaden knows it is because he is now worrying about what this could mean for his sister’s safety.

Xaden pulls in a breath steadying himself, “Violet,” there is a quick intake of breath and Xaden knows he needs to talk faster so that Brennan doesn’t either jump to conclusions or panic, “had her first challenge with a fellow first year. His name is Jack Barlowe.” he pauses and allows his eyes to meet Garrick's for a moment, “Tairn showed me the fight from Violet’s point of view. Everyone thought that he was using his signet at one point when he was forcing pain into her body, but I saw his eyes.”

“Red rimmed?”

“Red rimmed.” Xaden confirms Brennan’s suggestion, “She used his allergy to oranges to get him off her, but his eyes were already red before that. I could be wrong, but this guy is a piece of work, I could easily see him reaching for the earth and pulling power.”

Brennan has a lost look on his face as he stares at the reports on his desk, “The venin aren’t supposed to be able to use their abilities while behind the wards.”

Xaden shakes his head, “Maybe what we thought we knew about the venin isn’t true.”

“We don’t really know much about them.” Garrick agrees as he tries to get over the shock he is feeling.

“Tell me more about this Barlowe guy.” Brennan demands, he doesn’t miss the way that Xaden flinches at the request.

Xaden sighs, “He vowed that he would kill Violet on day one.”

Brennan’s eyes blow wide, “You have to get her the fuck out of there.”

“Because she was so keen to leave last time.” Garrick is right of course but that does little to ease the panic that is currently coursing through Brennan’s veins. His fear feels like ice. Brennan can feel it wrapping itself around his heart and dripping down to the end of his fingertips.

“So, what do we do about Barlowe then?” Brennan asks.

Xaden looks over at Brennan and he can see conviction in his eyes, “There is no ‘we’. You are going to stay right here and wait for us to tell you what happened. You going anywhere but here would blow everything sky high.”

A muscle in Brennan’s jaw jumps and twitches and Xaden knows he is clenching his teeth to stop himself from screaming at both men. He takes a steadying breath, “So what, you’re telling me so that I can let the assembly know? I need to know that you’ve got a plan Xaden, or I will lose my mind.” there is a vulnerability in his eyes that pulls at Xaden’s heart.

“My plan is to kill him.”

The clatter of cutlery against plates echos around the room as Violet pushes a lone piece of carrot around her plate. She is leaning her head against one hand. She glances over to where Xaden and Garrick are usually gathered and is unsurprised to find that their usual seats are empty.

“Vi?” a poke to her arm shakes her from her reverie as she looks up at Rhiannon who has been trying to gain her attention for a few moments, “Did you hear what I said?”

“Huh?” Violet flinches slightly before making eye contact with her friend, “Sorry, yeah. It’s been a long day, and my joints are creaking like a bitch.” Violet stretches here neck from side to side for good measure. Violet knows that her joints feeling this way is probably a sign that she has a flare coming on.

“War games start in two days. Are you feeling ready?” Rhiannon asks repeating her question from before.

Violet resists the urge to roll her eyes, “My body isn’t ready, but I guess I have to be.” she shrugs offering her friend a weak smile, “I’m going to head to bed. My body is telling me that I need an early night.” She heaves herself up and grabs her plate taking it over to side of the room and placing it on a trolley. Her head is hanging low as she walks slowly and steadily back towards her dorm.

The sun has already dipped low and the blazing oranges and purples of the sunset catch Violet’s eye. She stops to stare at it and in the silence of the courtyard her ears twitch at a sound behind her. She turns but not quite fast enough as a body slams into hers. The wind is knocked out of her as she puts her hands out in front of her to catch herself.

“Fuck.” she mutters the curse as she tries to roll away from the body that has her pinned. Pain flashes into the side of her head as a fist slams into it. Her head rocks forwards and knocks against the ground. Blood seeps from a wound above her eyebrow, it trickles slowly down into her eyes blurring her vision. Violet swings out an elbow catching her attacking and knocking them off balance, there is a thud as they fall. Violet scrambles to her feet and as she turns to see her attacker a blur of blond hair shoots past her as Liam charges into view.

Relief surges through her as she sees his fists flying, she doesn’t even know who her attacker was, but she is sure that they won’t be repeating the act. She allows herself to sink to the ground, she’s sure that had she remained standing her knees would’ve given out anyway.

A second later and a face swims into view, she can still hear Liam grunting as he pushes her attacker away. It takes a moment for her brain to recognise the face before her, “Dain...” she whispers his name as he cups her face checking her injury. Her vision clears and she sees confusion and concern written on his face in equal measures. She pushes him away, “What are you doing here?” she asks as he releases her.

“I heard a commotion, so I came out here to check.” he frowns at the blood still pouring down her face.

“You don’t get to ignore me for months and that insert yourself back into my life because someone jumped me Dain.” she tries to push herself to her feet, but Dain places a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

“You probably have a concussion Vi stay on the ground.” he tells her with a finality that makes Violet want to argue with him all over again.

“I’m not a child Dain; I can handle myself.”

The swelling in her knees is definitely getting worse. Dain is sure that if he doesn’t wrap them now, Brennan is going to bite his head off when he takes Violet back home. She’s always been stubborn but right now she is being petulant as she continues to march forwards up the hill.

“Vi, please stop.” his stride is longer than hers and has been since they were 6 and 7 years old. Now at 12 and 13 he has no trouble keeping up with her, especially uphill with her knees swelling.

“I need to get to the top Dain. If I get to the top and back down again maybe mom will finally see me.” there is something heartbreaking about the hope held in her tone. Dain and Violet are both fully aware that climbing to the top of this hill is going to change nothing about how the General sees her youngest child. Each challenge that she sets for herself will finally be enough for both her mother and father to finally see her as more than an inconvenience. Except it won’t. Each time she’s come back home bruised and out of breath, with knees twice the size as normal and each and every time her mother has told her to get cleaned up for dinner.

Dain considers letting her have this one, considers keeping his silence as he has done so many times over. There is something about the glint in her eyes that pulls at him, “Violet, you and I both know she won’t. Neither of them will. Nothing you do is going to change the way they behave towards you Vi. I hate seeing you tear yourself to pieces trying to make them see you. I see you.”

Violet turns to him with rage in her eyes as they brim with tears, “You don’t know that!” her voice echoes back to them from the trees that surround them, and a few birds take flight into the sky.

“I’ve seen you run yourself ragged trying to be seen by them. I know that this won’t change a thing.” he huffs out a breath in exhaustion, “You need to know when to stop Vi.”

The pain that is written all over her face seems to double, she scrunches her eyes closed and allows a few tears to fall, “If I stop.” she pulls in a shaky breath and frowns as if she isn’t sure where that sentence was supposed to end.

Stopping isn’t an option that is all she knows.

The memory of that day rocks Dain and he sits back on his heels allowing Violet to stand on her own. Her squad has reached the courtyard and Ridoc has an arm around her shoulders before Dain can tell him that she needs help. Rhiannon is examining the cut and the four of them with Sawyer head in the direction of the infirmary. Liam has finished dealing with the attacker, he is standing to one side his chest heaving as he casts a careful look over at Dain.

“You know, don’t you?” Liam’s accusation is heavy but veiled enough that if Dain doesn’t know about the General’s threats to Violet’s life Liam has plausible deniability.

Dain’s eyes lock with Liam’s, he stays silent as he chews the side of his own cheek, he opens his mouth to speak but is stopped as Xaden and Garrick enter the courtyard. He averts his gaze and walks away without a word.

Xaden arrives at Liam’s side, he watches Dain as he leaves before speaking, “What are you doi- is that blood?” he takes a few steps to the left and crouches down to examine the ground.

Liam grunts, “Yeah, Violet’s. She’s fine, probably just a concussion.”

Xaden turns to stare at Liam, there is fear in his eyes for a second before he schools his features, “You want to explain to me how she ended up hurt?”

“She was jumped from behind while on her way back from dinner. I wasn’t even that far behind her. I can-” A voice cuts him off.

“WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?” Xaden braces himself as someone shoves him, his knees are locked and he takes the hit without moving, “You need her alive but you’re not around to keep her safe what the fuck is up with that!” Ridoc’s finger is pointed in Xaden’s face, he has to push down the violent urge that he has to snap the finger.

Xaden grits his teeth and reigns in all of his emotions, his shadows are sharp and angry shooting out in all directions from him, but he keeps his expression neutral and takes a deep breath.

Ridoc exhales and shakes his head, “Her life being tied to yours is the worst thing that has ever happened to her. If you’re going to protect her then fucking do that.” he stalks away from the trio of men and as he does Xaden releases the breath that he had been holding in.

“He’s wrong you know.” Garrick’s voice is small, but it pulls Xaden’s attention to him.

“How’d you work that one out?” he asks his tone as icy as his expression.

Garrick turns to face his friend as he continues, “She’d been dead if Tairn hadn’t bonded with her. You and I both know that. Regardless of any orders that the General made or any connection you have to her brother." Garrick’s hazel eyes lock with the golden flecks in Xaden’s onyx eyes, “I know you have feelings for her and that will have made you want to protect her more, but you can’t be here every second of the day you have responsibilities.”

An overwhelming exhaustion mixed with anger flushes through Xaden as he mutters, “Fuck my responsibilities.” before marching away from his friend and heading straight towards the infirmary.

As her wingleader there is nothing strange about him checking in. Rhiannon is just leaving as he walks in, she gives him the once over but doesn’t shout at him, “She’s just getting healed up by Nolon now. They don’t want her to have a concussion for war games.” she doesn’t tell him that he can go in or that she’ll be happy to see him in fact he can feel that she wants to tell him that Violet needs rest. Rhiannon holds her tongue and sighs before walking away.

He finds her sitting up on one of the cots, she is grimacing as Nolon moves his hands over the bump and bleeding wound just above her eye. Xaden watches as the wound is closed up before his very eyes. Violet is holding her breath and has her eyes clenched tightly shut.

Nolon finishes healing her, “You’re all good to go Violet.” he tells her as he taps her knee before moving away. Violet opens her eyes and jumps slightly as she sees Xaden standing in front of her.

“How long have you been there?” she asks reaching for her jacket before pushing herself up off the cot.

Xaden shrugs, “Long enough to see the gash on your head close up.” Xaden picks up a cloth from beside the cot and dips it in a bowl of water before hesitating.

“You going to use that?” she asks studying him carefully. He swallows down whatever it was that was stopping him before extending the cloth to her forehead and gently wiping the blood away. Violet takes half a step towards him and closes the distance, “So did you get everything you needed done on your errand?” she asks looking up at him through her eyelashes.

Xaden’s heart is beating a staccato rhythm in his chest as he looks down at her, “You are playing with fire Violence.” he whispers as he places the cloth down and leans in towards her. His breath ghosts over her lips for a second before he closes this distance completely and claims her mouth with his own. Violet whimpers a moan into his mouth as he deepens the kiss, one hand reaches for her hip while the other tangles into her hair.

Violet pulls back and presses her forehead against his, “You looked worried.” she whispers pulling back further as he tries to kiss her again.

Xaden closes his eyes for a moment before breathing out a steadying breath, “Your friend shouted at me, made me think things were worse than they were.”

She narrows her eyes at him, “Which friend?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is you were in danger because of me, again.” he leans towards her again and continues in her head, “This would all be solved if you let me take you away from here.”

Something inside Violet drops heavily like a stone, “What is it with you men and treating me like I’m always about to get broken.” Violet pushes Xaden away with two hands, he refuses to let go and catches her elbows.

“Your life is attached to mine, you’ll have to forgive me if I try to keep you alive.” he stares into her soul as he thinks the words, “I know you are strong. Stronger than most of the people in this place but I have entirely selfish reasons for wanting to keep you safe.”

A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips, “ Selfish huh? And what would those be?”

Xaden offers her a wolfish grin as he closes the distance between them once more and presses his lips to hers in a kiss that he hopes can say the words that he isn’t able to voice.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

Text

Chapter 14: A real challenge

She pulls in a breath before holding it and looking at him, “If I tell you something I need you to promise me you won’t run off to Xaden.” she exhales the words in a rush.

Liam narrows his eyes at her, “That depends on what you’re about to-”

“Promise me.” she cuts him off.

There is conflict in his blue eyes, he knows if he doesn’t promise to keep this secret, she’s probably going do something to put herself in more danger, “I don’t like it, but I promise.”

Violet rolls her eyes at him, “You don’t have to like it. I know who is going to be challenging me today.” she pauses as she watches his eyes flare wider, “Jack Barlowe is going to shoot his shot today.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/172016929

Chapter 14: A real challenge

A week later and Violet wakes with a stomach full of a twisting pile of snakes. Challenges start today and she already knows who will be challenging her. She lies in her bed staring up at the ceiling hoping that maybe the answer to how she is going to beat Jack Barlowe is somewhere hidden in the chipping paint above her. Her eyes trace a rather large crack in the ceiling from the top of the window frame to where her mage light hangs in the centre. She knew this days was coming, she also knows that not telling Xaden would be a very petty and childish thing to do. Breakfast is calling her, her stomach rolls and gurgles, she not sure if it does so because she is hungry or if it is because she is anxious.

She picks at her food her eyes flickering back towards Barlowe’s table across the room. She’s made a mental note of everything he has eaten and not eaten, she knows how he likes to fight and she's painfully aware of how much larger he is than her. Violet watches with a keen eye as someone at the table offers him some fruit, he shoves it away shouting, “Get that toxic shit away from me.” Xaden told her to stop poisoning people. Maybe one more would be okay. She narrows her gaze trying to see what fruit had caused him such a dramatic response.

“You’re telling me the sword just bent out of her hands? Sawyer that’s awesome!” Ridoc’s voice rings loudly around Violet and she pulls herself away from Jack and back to her squad.

Sawyer has the decency to blush as everyone around their squad turns to look at him, “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this.” he says with a small smile. Violet feels a surge of warmth and affection towards him as she watches him, he looks as though the attention is making him feel uncomfortable, but she can tell he’s also enjoying it. Having had to repeat his first year, being one of the first to manifest a signet will surely have boosted his self-confidence. The conversation continues as the squad cleans up their breakfast things, Violet sweeps past the breakfast bar and collects an orange before following the group out towards the gym.

“Are you ready for today?” Liam asks sliding into step beside Violet.

She pulls in a breath before holding it and looking at him, “If I tell you something I need you to promise me you won’t run off to Xaden.” she exhales the words in a rush.

Liam narrows his eyes at her, “That depends on what you’re about to-”

“Promise me.” she cuts him off.

There is conflict in his blue eyes, he knows if he doesn’t promise to keep this secret, she’s probably going do something to put herself in more danger, “I don’t like it, but I promise.”

Liam’s hand shoots forward and wraps around her wrist as she turns away from him, “Violet.” her name is a warning on his lips, “He is going to kill you.”

She shrugs and Liam has to stop himself from shaking some sense into her, “He’s going to try.” she allows which only serves to infuriate Liam further.

Violet tugs her wrist away from Liam and turns back towards the gym, “He’s been saying that he’s going to kill you since day one.” As they enter the gym Violet moves away from him to go and warm up with Rhiannon. Liam is frantic as he follows her. His heart hammers against his ribs as he watches her stretch before glancing over at Barlowe who throws his head back in a laugh where he is currently leaning against the wall.

“Alright cadets. Time to get down to business with the real challenges.” Emetterio sweeps the room with his gaze.

“Tell me I can break my promise.” Liam begs.

Violet gives him a look which is something close to pity as Emetterio calls out her name before also saying Barlowe’s, “Yes! Finally.” his grin is feral as he pushes off the wall and looks over at Violet, “Time to die Sorrengail!” he taunts.

“Vi, please.” Liam’s voice cracks as he begs again.

Violet stretches her arms in front of her before rolling her shoulders, “Fine.”

Liam turns to Ridoc who has been watching the exchange with a furrowed brow, “Protect her like you’re me.” he bites out before his eyes drift to Violet once more and he runs as fast as he can away from Violet. The third years are running flight manoeuvres and Liam is sure that Xaden will be finishing any second, he reaches out to Deigh in his mind, “Can you speak to Sgaeyl and tell her Xaden needs to come to the gym right now!”

There is a pause before Deigh’s deep voice rumbles in his head, “She’s in a pretty shitty mood but okay.” Liam reaches the fight field as Xaden lands his expression is difficult to discern as he jogs towards his brother.

He grabs Liam and pulls him with him, “What did she do this time?” of course he’s already worked out that Liam is here due to the reckless actions of Violet Sorrengail.

Liam is breathless as he tries to keep up, “Jack Barlowe is challenging her right now.” there is a burst of speed from Xaden that causes Liam to fall a few steps behind as he changes his direction to head towards the gym. Xaden puts his head down and runs harder than he has in a very long time. As he runs, he reaches for the slivery thread in his head that connects him to Violet, and he is annoyed to find that she has put up her shields and no amount of probing from him is getting them to shift.

Xaden’s calves burn as he pushes himself up the stairs towards one of the courtyards. He’s doing calculations in his head, trying to work out the time that it took for Liam to get to him and the time it is going to take for him to reach her. If he is too late...

“See for yourself.” the deep voice that rumbles in his head does not belong to Sgaeyl. Tairn rarely speaks to him but there is definitely a note of pride in his voice as he says those three words.

As he reaches the gym there is a commotion, blood is smeared across the mat and Xaden knows without asking that it belongs to Violet. Bile fills his mouth at the thought. He stops in the doorway his shadows filling the room, probing and reaching for her. They come up empty.

“She isn’t here.” Liam has reached him as Rhiannon speaks. The wingleader allows his attention to be pulled towards Violet’s friend.

She isn’t dead, or he would have felt something, “Explain yourself.” his tone is curt, and his eyes are narrowed menacingly in her direction.

Rhiannon regards him carefully but is clearly not intimidated in the way that he wants her to be, “Violet and Barlowe have both been taken to the infirmary.” Xaden nods once before turning away from Rhiannon and heading towards the infirmary.

“Ask Tairn to show me. I need to see what happened.” Xaden knows there is desperation in his internal voice. He is sure that he sounds pathetic, there is a noise of assent from Sgaeyl as Xaden hurries towards the infirmary. He is about to walk into the infirmary when his vision clouds and he is affronted by Violet’s vision and her voice echoing in his head. Xaden’s hands grab hold of the wall as he steadies himself while he watches.

Okay, okay, I can do this. I look Jack Barlowe up and down my eyes zero in on his fists as they clench and unclench at his side. He has been waiting for this day ever since the parapet. I knew it was coming, and I also know that despite sending Liam to go and get Xaden there is no way he will be back in time. The third years are off doing third year things. He won’t make it in time.

Besides, I have a plan, and I am going to stick to it.

My toe nudges the edge of the mat and my gaze lifts from his fists to his face. There is something cruel about the smile on his face which causes my heart to clench painfully. Whatever he is imagining doing to me is going to hurt. I flex a hand at my side ready to reach for my secret weapon.

He dives across the mat at an inhuman speed. I duck a shoulder but feel his hand wrap around my bicep. His fingers feel like ice as they dig in. I pull in a shuddering breath as I swipe a dagger from my thigh holster and stab towards Barlowe’s ribs. He lets go of my arm as the dagger makes contact and slices him in the midriff.

“Fuck.” he grunts and blood wells at the wound as he spins away from her. His fingers flex at his side again before clenching into a firm fist once more.

There is no time to dwell on the ice-cold pain which had buzzed through her from the contact he had made as he is circling her preparing himself for his next move. His eyes narrow a fraction, that is the only hint he gives that he is about to strike again. His head ducks again and I pull in a breath knowing he is probably about to knock it out of me. He barrels into me with his head down, this time I go down and gasp as my head hits the mat. His attack is frenzied and seems to lack any type of style or system. He just charges wildly.

Both hands are on my arms and the ice I felt before grows and I stare into his face as he grits his teeth. His eyes are red rimmed and the cold shifts into pain. Agonising pain. My arms twitch violently with the surging agony that Jack is somehow forcing into my body.

I reach for my pocket. My hands shake and I can’t make contact. I need to get him off me.

A scream rips from my mouth, and I hear shouts from around the mat. People are calling at him to stop. They are saying something about signets and the fuzz in my brain clears momentarily. The pain I am feeling isn’t normal, it shouldn’t feel like this. Of course he’s channelling pain into me.

I manage to pull my knees up high enough that if I kick out, I can probably get him off me. I just need to focus. Three, two...one. I exhale hard and kick out, I find purchase and he rolls away muttering something about a bitch to himself.

He grunts in irritation as he pulls out a dagger, at the same moment I reach for my secret weapon. He surges forwards again and his dagger slides off my armour and he roars in anger and frustration, there is a second’s pause before he stabs the dagger upwards again and it slides into my arm, pain erupts and my heart stutters, there is no time to think about the dagger that has been pushed through my arm as I smear the oranges on my fingertips before reaching out towards him. He slashes out at my upper arm as I leap over towards him. My hand covers his nose and mouth, and he pulls in a breath and then a second before his eyes widen in fear.

Seeing fear on his face feels better than I expect for the seconds I see it. In the next moment he is on me again, the pain in my arms now in my head as he grips it on either side. My head is going to explode. I have never felt agony like it as it thrums and pulses. I hear shouting somewhere far away and I’m seconds away from blacking out as the pain stops but the screaming doesn’t.

Xaden’s heart pounds an erratic rhythm the pain that Violet had felt still sings somewhere in his bones like a memory he wishes he could forget. He lifts a hand to where Barlowe’s hands had been pressed against Violet’s temple. The image of his red rimmed eyes is one he cannot shake. His eyes had been red before she introduced the oranges. He knows what that means. At least he thinks he knows what that means, but if his suspicion is right then everyone is in very real very immediate danger, and he definitely needs to get Violet out of here now.

He steadies himself and walks into the infirmary, “What does Tairn think about Barlowe’s eyes?” he asks Sgaeyl quickly as he approaches Violet’s bed. Ridoc is sitting beside her in a chair, he shifts slightly as Xaden approaches, “You can go.”

He hesitates and Xaden feels a prickle of irritation. He knows what Gamlyn is thinking that Xaden is a threat to Violet’s safety. Xaden has to force himself not to bite the first year’s head off, he takes a steadying breath before saying, “I won’t hurt her.”

Her eyes flutter beneath her eyelids but she doesn’t wake as Gamlyn stands and moves past him towards the door. Xaden lowers himself into the seat beside her hospital bed.

“I agree with your thinking wingleader.” Tairn’s deep voice is gruff in Xaden’s head.

There is a sick feeling curdling somewhere low in his stomach, “And what exactly do I do with that information?” he asks trying to quell the churning as panic causes his heart to skip.

“If you tell any of your superiors, they will probably lock you up. They are all so certain that they know what is best for the world and it seems that secrets are their favourite thing to keep.” there is a heavy tone of judgement in Tairn’s tone.

“So, I keep the secret.” the thought of doing that doesn’t sit well with him.

“You can always inform your friends. Her brother will surely want to know.” Sgaeyl’s voice is a smooth honey compared with her mate.

Xaden’s eyes drift over her body, Violet’s arms are laying over the bed sheets and Xaden’s eyes become stuck on the bandage on her upper arm which is still steadily bleeding. Red blood is seeping through the bandage as it begins to soak all the way through. Xaden waves a medic over, “I think you might need to take a look at her stitches.” the medic nods and busies herself with collecting the necessary items. He watches with a keen eye as she removes the bandage exposing it to the air. Her stitches aren’t holding, and the medic huffs out a sigh before cleaning the wound and methodically closing the wound.

Xaden runs his hands through his hair and over his face as he watches her work. Half an hour later when Violet begins to stir Xaden is flipping a dagger end over end and catching it with ease. Her eyes flutter and move around the space before eventually coming to settle on his face, he shakes his head slowly in disbelief, “Oranges?” there is a smile in his voice which doesn’t quite make it onto his lips.

Violet’s own response is to hiss in pain as she shifts herself in the bed, “He’s allergic.” she attempts a lopsided shrug to demonstrate her nonchalance at his astonished face. He wipes the shocked expression from his face as he sheaths the dagger at his side. “How many stitches?” she asks as she pulls her bandaged arm towards herself.

Xaden reaches out to stop her from turning her arm, but the pull of her stitches stops her anyway, “Eleven on one side and nineteen on the other.” he pauses for a second as he allows the words to sink in, “And they had to re-do them because the first lot didn’t hold.” there is a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth as he shakes his head, “Turning oranges into a weapon Violence?” he shakes his head again in disbelief, “I’m not complaining, it kept us alive even if it was completely unorthodox.”

Violet grimaces as she leans back into the pillows, “Why are you here?” she asks as exhaustion washes over her making her eyelids heavy.

Xaden can hear the accusation in her tone, he hasn’t exactly been present in her life since they shared a kiss a week ago, but Xaden knows for him that is because the feelings that kiss stirred up are ones that he doesn’t want to examine. “I wanted to see that you were breathing with my own eyes.” he tells her distantly.

She huffs out an approximation of a laugh, “Okay, so you’ve verified that I’m alive I guess you can move along then.” her hazel eyes are more gold than blue in the amber mage lights that cast a dim glow throughout the room.

Xaden wants to push himself up and out of the chair, he wants to walk out of the room just as she suggests but at the same time, he knows that he can’t, “I need to make sure that you can defend yourself from people like Barlowe.”

Violet’s eyebrow lifts, “I think I defended myself fairly well.”

“You need to be able to hold your own without poisoning your opponents.” Violet is reminded of the conversation they had a few weeks ago and she wrinkles her nose.

“How are you going to help me with that?” she asks lifting a brow at him in a challenge.

Xaden’s eyes drift to Violet’s fingers as they tighten against her sheets, he leans forward and laces his fingers through hers and tries to ignore the pain in his chest as she flinches at the contact, “I’m taking over.” his voice is a whisper, and his fingers tighten slightly around hers.

“With what?” Violet asks.

Xaden’s lips pull back into a small private smile as he pulls his fingers from her hand, “Everything.”

The gym is booked for them the very next evening. It is late and the mage lights flicker and dance in the sconces on the walls. Violet sits herself down on a bench as she watches the way that Xaden’s body twists and turns as he spars with Garrick. They are well matched, both anticipating the other’s moves, neither of them manage to get many hits on each other as they bob and weave. Their moves are fluid and graceful and Violet can’t help but feel that her eyes are transfixed on the pair as they move.

Xaden takes a step away from Garrick, they both relax their postures as he takes a few steps towards Violet, “Thank you for coming.”

Violet attempts an approximation of a bored expression, “I’m not sure why I did, I can’t exactly spar with you without ripping open my stitches.” Xaden eyes the bandage which covers her injury carefully.

“I’m sure you can still pick up a few things Violence.” his voice in her head makes her jump before she sets her brow in an annoyed glare.

“Whatever.” she breathes out and Garrick who has come to stand beside Xaden stifles a snort. Violet turns away from the pair before settling herself on a bench a short distance away, “If you’re going to teach, please teach.”

A frustration in Xaden simmers in his stomach, he knows that she’s pushing him, testing his resolve and he feels pushed and it takes all of his control to not rise to it. He turns towards Garrick and points at the mat. Xaden pulls in a steadying breath hoping that he would be able to smother the fire that was beginning to burn deep inside him, “You are smaller than most of your opponents.” there is a sound of derision from Violet but he resists the urge look in her direction as he continues, “Which means for the most part you will be at a disadvantage. I have a longer reach than you and bigger hands, legs and feet. I am able to grab you and get you close to me a lot easier than you would be able to do the same to me.” he reaches for Garrick showing the length of his arms as Garrick stands further and further away from him before returning to his original position, “You have precision when you throw your daggers but unless you’re going for the kill with them there is little point in throwing them.” He palms a dagger before holding it to Garrick’s throat, “There are places that you will struggle to reach. But there are others that you know are vulnerable that you can aim for.” He shifts his hand and points the dagger lower.

Violet watches, he attention fully on the pair, she is in awe of the complete and utter trust that Garrick has in Xaden. He doesn’t flinch once as Xaden moves his dagger to show her the best places that she should be aiming for while fighting.

“Poisons are effective, but in a real fight you’ll never be able to find out your opponent’s weakness or get close enough to poison food or water. So, you need to be able to hold your own.” his eyes lock with hers for a second and he watches as a shiver makes its way down her spine. She straightens slightly and nods at him to continue.

Xaden and Garrick show her ways that she can use her smaller stature to her advantage, using her speed to confound her enemy rather than overpower them.

A week later she’s back in the gym, Nolon managed to get around to seeing her and helped her arm. She has removed the bandage, and the wound is now little more than a pink line. She is the first to arrive, so she settles herself onto a mat and begins to stretch out her muscles, she is sitting with her legs apart with her arms reaching towards her toes as Xaden enters the gym.

He is alone and his eyes are fixed on her from the moment he walks in, he greets her with a nod as he allows a bag to slide from his shoulder and drops it onto the floor. There is a thin sheen of sweat already forming on her brow, Violet can feel the way her muscles are already protesting the pull against them that no matter what happens in the gym today, tomorrow she is going to be in a bad way. She doesn’t tell him this of course, no matter how trustworthy he seems to be she isn’t sure she’s ready to talk about the weaknesses in her body that cripple her occasionally.

Xaden’s eyes drift to where her bandage had been and he allows his lips to lift, “Looks like you’re ready to spar Violence.”

It is a statement, one that Violet doesn’t make a comment on as she continues to stretch. Once she feels sufficiently warm, she slowly climbs to her feet and glances over at Xaden who is using the corner of his shirt to mop his brow, the sight of his abs underneath his shirt causes her insides to twist withe desire. She forces herself to look away as her cheeks grow pink.

“You won’t need your daggers today, Violence.” his voice draws her back towards him, she watches as he methodically places daggers in sheaths at different places on his own body.

Violet frowns, “But you will be armed to the teeth? It hardly seems fair.” she can’t keep the annoyance out of her tone as she steps up to the mat.

Xaden’s eyebrow lifts a fraction, “These are yours...if you can get them off me.” he challenges while turning so that she can get a better look at them. The daggers he has sheathed look to be smaller than the ones she already has, and Violet wonders briefly where he could have got them from and if he had them made for her. Something in her shifts and she glances back up to look into his face. There is a mask in place over his true emotions. She’s spent enough time with him now to see when it slides into place.

“Why do you do that?” she asks as they both begin to circle each other.

“Do what?” he feigns ignorance.

Violet shakes her head, “You act like you don’t care, you act like I’m nothing to you and then you kiss me, or you do something sweet like this?”

His expression darkens and he shakes his head, “Sweet Violence? I’m not sweet.”

“Where did those daggers come from?” she challenges, he doesn’t reply, his lips are pressed into a tight thin line, “Exactly.” there is a note of ‘I told you so’ in her voice.

“Come on Violence. Show me what you’ve learnt this week.” he avoids the conversation, and Violet fights the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, he doesn’t want to talk about the daggers or the kiss. Violet shakes out her hands and blows out a sharp exhale as she prepares herself to take him on.

She looks for an opening, watching the way his muscles flex and tense as he circles her.

He takes her to the mat, again and again and again. By the seventh time Violet’s back hits the mat the wind knocked out of her and before she is able to push herself to her feet Xaden has followed her down and covers her body with his. He pins her hands above her head with one arm while he pulls a dagger from a sheath at his thigh and presses it to her neck.

“Violence.” he sounds exasperated.

Violet’s chest heaves as she tries to control her breathing, “Xaden.” she counters eyeing the blade carefully.

He exhales as he pulls the blade away from her neck suddenly all too aware of how close they are, “How would you get out of this if someone who actually wanted to kill you had you pinned?” His fingers tighten around her wrists.

Violet’s eyes slip down his body as she looks for a weakness or an opening, her eyes are still trailing his body as he suddenly releases her hands, lowers himself closer to her, drops the knife and captures her lips with his. Violet gasps which allows Xaden to deepen the kiss. She is frozen for a moment her brain short circuiting at the feel of his lips against hers and as the cog inside her brain begin to turn again Xaden pulls away and pushes himself to his feet.

“Fuck.” he whispers as he heaves in a breath watching her carefully.

“What the fuck Xaden?” Violet pushes herself up into a sitting position as she tracks his movement with her eyes, “What was that?” Xaden’s hand is raised to his own lips as if he cannot quite believe what he just did.

Xaden’s eyes meet hers, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” the apology is rushed, and he takes another measured step back away from her hoping that the distance between them would help to settle his racing pulse.

Violet pushes herself up again and stands in front of him, “Twice now you’ve kissed me and then acted like kissing me has burned you. What the hell is going on Xaden?”

There is guilt written on his face as plain as day and Violet is desperate to know why, “This can never happen.” he breathes out and feels his muscles lock into place as she takes a small step towards him, “For so many reasons Violet,” her step towards him falters slightly at his use of her name, “for starters Brennan would kill me.”

A small smile curves the corner of her mouth upwards, “Hmmm he probably would.” she agrees, “Not to mention whatever the General would do to you.”

A low noise in his throat sounds like a growl, the idea that being with her would really piss of the General is more of a temptation than she knows. She is within touching distance now and Xaden’s hands reach for her, his hands cradle her cheeks, “We shouldn’t.” He echoes her words from their first kiss, but any other objection is forgotten as she leans forward and presses her lips against his in a delicate kiss.

He sighs against her as one hand moves from her cheek to wrap around her waist and anchor her against him. The kiss is slow and careful as if both of them are afraid to get too carried away. Violet pulls away and presses her forehead against his, “This isn’t our dragons, this is me.” hearing her say the words cracks something in Xaden wide open and he closes his eyes and leans in to kiss her once more. This time the kiss has more fervour as he allows himself to lean into it and feel all those feelings that he has pushed down inside about this woman that he shouldn’t want but does desperately.

He’s known it for a while, but this kiss cements his status as well and truly fucked.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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Chapter 13: It still stings

There is an external growl in response as Xaden places the saddle in front of Tairn and backs away to what he hopes is a safe distance while Tairn inspects the saddle, smoke billows from his nostrils and Xaden feels a cold sweat begin for form on the back of his neck. He’s sure in that moment that Tairn is about to torch the thing.

“This will ensure the Silver One does not fall?” Tairn’s question is accompanied by a harsh stare from his golden eyes. Xaden nods in response and Tairn does as well, “And I can get it on and off myself?”

“That’s the idea. Do you want to try it out.” Tairn narrows his eyes in threat at Xaden, “Or not.” he vocalises as he lifts his hands to the dragon in surrender.

The black dragon lifts his head and blinks once, “It is acceptable.” he tells Xaden before lowering his mouth to the saddle and gently picking it up in his teeth before taking flight.

Chapter 13: It still stings

Leatherwork has never really been Xaden’s forte, but he’s been working on creating something that will hopefully help Violet keep her seat. Sgaeyl has assured him that Tairn won’t burn him alive when he approaches but there is still a nagging feeling in the back of his head that this is completely reckless and not something he should be attempting without Violet here to back him up.

“You wanted to meet wingleader.” the gruff voice of the giant black dragon fills Xaden’s head before he is able to see him.

Xaden heaves the large saddle towards him and feels something inside him settle as his massive blue dragon lands a short distance away, “I know she’ll never admit she has a problem and I can deny any knowledge or responsibility if need be but she won’t be able to keep her seat otherwise.”

“That’s the idea. Do you want to try it out.” Tairn narrows his eyes in threat at Xaden, “Or not.” he vocalises as he lifts his hands to the dragon in surrender.

The black dragon lifts his head and blinks once, “It is acceptable.” he tells Xaden before lowering his mouth to the saddle and gently picking it up in his teeth before taking flight.

Xaden blows out a breath before looking at his own dragon, “That was almost praise.”

Sgaeyl laughs in his head, “Don’t get used to it.”

Garrick is starting to feel like Xaden only comes to see him when he wants to make a quick trip home. When he finds his wingleader waiting outside his bedroom one evening he raises his eyebrow but wants to hear Xaden’s request himself.

“Something I can help you with?” he asks trying to keep his voice neutral.

Xaden sighs before nodding, “I need to go talk to Brennan. I’m sorry.”

The utter weariness on his face stops Garrick from offering his usual sarcastic comment, instead he reaches for his friend’s arm and nods, “I’m ready when you are.” he tells him. Xaden nods before they take a step together. The world blurs for a second and as with each and every trip Xaden’s stomach lurches.

Xaden begins marching towards the house, his house, the house that should be nothing more than a pile of ash and stones. Garrick follows a few paces behind until they reach an office two doors down from the library. The two men find Brennan with his head in his hands as he shifts through different papers, he jumps as Xaden enters the room.

“Is everything okay? Is she-”

The visceral fear on Brennan’s face is almost too much to bear, “Your sister is fine. A huge pain in my ass but fine.” Xaden sinks into a chair opposite the desk and Garrick does the same with a chair by a fireplace. Xaden exhales heavily staring up at the ceiling.

“So...” Brennan watches Xaden’s face, “what brings you home this late at night?”

“I just watched an update on everything.” Brennan gives him a glare, “And also I wanted to vent about how completely reckless your sister is.”

Brennan offers Xaden a small smile, he knows how infuriating his sister can be, he remembers all of the times that she would get herself into trouble or go against their parents’ wishes, “What has she done that has been frustrating you recently?” he asks unable to keep the delight from his eyes.

Garrick laughs, “I think Xaden is mincing his words. He finds Violet something else...”

Xaden gives him a hard look, “She’s had three attempts on her life the last week alone. She doesn’t seem to care that she has a target on her back. Every time we have stopped the attacks; she seems almost annoyed that we have intervened.”

Brennan looks between Garrick and Xaden for a moment but makes not comment on Garrick’s words, “Yeah that sounds like Violet. She’s always hated being rescued.”

“Go away!” her voice bellows at both of her siblings.

Mira sighs at the stubborn nature of her younger sister before looking up at Brennan for some advice or words of wisdom, “We’re only trying to help you. You can stay in there, if mom or dad find you, we’ll be in trouble.”

Violet has settled herself in the tree house that she has been banned from ever since it was built. One of her parents had muttered something about broken bones and the eight-year-old had respected those orders until this very afternoon. With both Asher and Lilith out of the house it had seemed the perfect time to climb up the ladder and pull herself into the treehouse above. That was until the wasps started swarming. The angry buzzing sound echos all around her, she feels as though the buzzing is reverberating through the wood.

“If mom or dad find me, I will be in trouble. I don’t need you to protect me.” she bites back before flinching as a particularly angry buzz grazes her ear.

Mira turns to Brennan, “She’s part right. But mom and dad will be furious with you for letting her get up that high. It’ll be the tree incident all over again.” Brennan winces as he remembers the pained yelp of his sister as their mother had pulled her from the tree.

With a heavy sigh Brennan begins to climb the ladder, he ducks a few wasps that try to dive bomb him before reaching the top, “Vi-” his voice is gentle, but he has to duck as a shoe comes flying past his head, “Violet! I know you hate this, we do too. But if you break a bone on my watch mom will be livid. I’m trying to keep you safe.”

There are unshed tears in her eyes as Brennan dares to lift his head up a second time, she looks so broken that Brennan is sure a small part of his own heart that fractures as well. Her bottom lip is pushed out in a pout as she says, “I just wanted to be brave like you and Mira.” Brennan shuffles himself forward and winces slightly as a sharp pain in the palm of his hand tells him he’s probably just squashed a wasp.

“Ow, shit.” Violet’s eyes grow wide.

“You said a bad word.” she admonishes before looking at where he is holding his hand, “Oh no.” she looks around them and tucks her arms around herself more tightly. As if in response to their squashed hive mate the wasps around them start whipping around even faster. Violet’s eyes are glued to the dead wasp, a wasp buzzes past her ear, and she ducks her head and tries to control her breathing.

“Vi,” Brennan tries again to get her attention, “we really need to get out of here. I don’t want you to get stung.” she looks up at him carefully and he can see the tears filling her eyes.

Her voice is small as she speaks, “Why is it always so hard?” she asks her voice cracking with the pain of talking.

Sadness flows through him, and he wishes he could give her an answer. He wishes he knew the reasons why their parents treat her the way that they do, but he can’t even give her a reassurance that they love her because he isn’t sure that they do.

Brennan recounts the story and watches Xaden’s expression as it shifts to one of empathy. Brennan can still feel the phantom pain from the wasp’s sting, he rubs his hand against his thigh before sighing.

“It’s probably a good thing you’re here; I appreciate the update about Violet but there are other things you need to be aware of as well.” Brennan says motioning to some of the paperwork which covers the desk in front of him.

Being away at Basgiath has its downsides, being unable to speak to the assembly and know what’s going on with the fight against the venin was a lot more than a little inconvenient. Xaden glances down at a few of the papers, “Liam mentioned that there was a report that he and Violet saw about an attack on Summerton.”

Brennan nods knowingly, “I’m sure the attack was blamed on Griffins and flyers?”

“The report was fairly vague. Liam and Violet were waiting for it to be talked about in battle brief, but it never was. I assume they were sure they couldn’t twist it enough for people not to be suspicious I guess.”

Brennan nods again, “That makes sense, Summerton is such a high-altitude base that it wouldn’t make any sense for a Griffin to be able to reach the area and attack it effectively.” he sighs before rubbing at the frown lines between his brows, “I imagine my sister was suspicious as well?”

Garrick snorts in reply, “Your sister is always suspicious Brennan. But yeah, that one didn’t sit right with her at all.” Liam had been forced to talk her down several times. She had suggested that they march into Markham’s office and demand answers.

“It’s bad Xaden.” Brennan’s expression is grave as he pushes one of the reports towards him, Xaden picks it up and scans over it. His brow furrows deeper and deeper as he takes in the words.

“How long before they can’t hide it anymore?” Xaden asks his onyx eyes locking with Brennan’s amber ones.

Brennan chews on his lip for a moment considering the question, “A year maybe less. Those in power who think they can hide behind their wards will find sooner or later that that the venin will be knocking at their door.”

Colour drains from Xaden’s face as he places the report back on Brennan’s desk, “I just hope we can get everyone through to graduation.”

“That reminds me, Tecarus wanted to have a meeting with you. He wants to renegotiate.” Xaden can’t help the urge to roll his eyes, he knows what Tecarus wants to negotiate but Xaden has already made his decision. Under no circumstances will he be entering another marriage contract for political gain. There is a war to fight, he doesn’t have time to think about heirs and dynasties.

“Yeah, he can’t wait until after graduation too. I’ve got to finish this year then we can talk logistics.” Xaden says the words with a finality.

“Do you really think that after graduation we’re just going to be able to deal with the real threat to the world? They’re going to dispatch you somewhere that you can fight. They definitely aren’t finished using you and won’t let you walk away.” Xaden grunts in response, “Please tell me you’d already thought about this. I know that I can always hop you back and forth at night if need be, but that might not be possible. If we get stationed far away from each other, I might not be able to jump us twice in one night.” there is real fear on Garrick’s face as he studies his friend.

“I have been thinking about it. I know it isn’t ideal, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.” once again he speaks with finality but this time Garrick does not reply, he shares a look with Brennan who is all too aware of Xaden’s stubbornness. Xaden pushes himself to his feet apparently having decided that this conversation is well and truly over.

Violet wakes with a start, she stares at her door wondering if someone had been trying to break it down again. She is grateful to see that the wood is undamaged and as she lies still in her bed, she realises there is no noise from outside. What she does feel instead is an overwhelming heat coursing through her veins.

Liquid fire is burning her up.

Violet lifts a hand to her face as she tries to steady her breathing, but it continues to come out in harsh gasps. She needs water to either drink or splash on her face. She pauses for a moment as her sheets fall into a pool around her waist, she stands a little unsteadily and heads for the door, she needs to get to a washroom to get some cold water maybe then she can get this fever to break.

She opens her door non too gently and is startled to see that the corridor isn’t empty, “Violet?” Liam, Liam is the one sitting on the floor in front of her. His tone is concerned.

The next wave hits her like a physical blow and Violet staggers slightly with the force of it. In that moment she realises what this is. She isn’t unwell, she is feeling arousal, more arousal than she has ever personally experienced before. Liam is reaching for her his brow furrowed in concern, his fingers are cold as they grip into her wrist.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” the question hits her almost as hard as the waves of arousal. She needs to get away, she pulls away from him and practically runs down the corridor. The person she wants isn’t here, she can’t feel him. An odd thought, but she is aware in that moment that Xaden isn’t anywhere nearby.

Another wave of lust slams into her and Violet presses her face into the nearest wall seeking the cold to sooth her burning skin. She continues her steps faltering every now and again as the force of the feeling hits her over and over. It takes her a lot longer than usual to make it to the flight field, the open-air whipping against her skin cools her momentarily. She stands staring up at the stars that she can see between the clouds, and it is like that Xaden and Garrick see her moments later as they step into the grass.

“Oh fuck.” Xaden doubles over before reaching for something in his pocket.

Garrick looks at Xaden before taking note of Violet’s state of disarray and undress, she has a cloak over her nightgown, and it has started to snow, “Oooooh mated dragon problems.”

Xaden has straightened his posture and gives Garrick a dirty look before using a match to light the churam that he has pulled from his pocket. He takes a long pull and looks over at Violet before giving Garrick a look. His friend grins at him before backing away.

“How the fuck are you just standing there.” she mutters, her skin still ablaze, “Is that churam?” she asks before taking a stuttering step towards Xaden, he reaches for her and catches her before her knees give out.

“It is...” he holds it out to her, but she shakes her head holding her breath clearly trying to push the thoughts that are racing around her head away from her, “Suit yourself but the way Sgaeyl and Tairn are going for it you’ll be feeling it for some time.”

There is a pause before Violet shudders and pulls away from Xaden, “I feel like I’m on fire.”

There is definitely a smirk pulling at his lips, “Yeah that happens.” he agrees before taking another drag as his eyes track her movements carefully.

“I practically ran away from Liam.” she mutters running a hand through her hair as snow begins to stick to her hair in places. Xaden’s eyes follow the moment of her hair, transfixed by it.

“Speaking of your bodyguard where is he?” Xaden asks.

“I think I terrified him when I came out of my room.” Xaden’s eyes narrow and Violet feels her pulse jump, there is a look crossing his face that looks like jealousy. Violet feels her own lips pulling into a smirk as she takes a measured step towards him.

Xaden takes his own step back before he locks eyes with her, he sees then that her pupils are blown impossibly wide, “Why the fuck aren’t you shielding?” he asks as he locks his knees to support her.

She laughs without humour, “I think Tairn only just started channelling, you don’t learn to shield before you can wield.”

Xaden scoffs but finds himself drawn towards her, “Yeah that rule never seemed to make sense to me. Okay,” he takes a deep breath, “I’ll give you a crash course in shielding because I know how intense those feelings are, and I’ve found myself in the wrong person’s bed as a result.”

Violet instantly feels herself relax even more so as Xaden’s fingers brush against her cheek before they sink into her hair at the back of her neck, “What is your obsession with touching things that don’t belong to you?”

Xaden allows himself a smile and Violet’s breath hitches as she stares at him, “Put it down to the benefit of poor judgement.” he leans a little closer and inhales, “Okay,” he exhales long and slow as he flexes his fingers in her hair, “I need you to imagine the place where you feel the most safe in the world. I picture my favourite hillside which overlooks what is left of Aretia.”

She hums for a second before asking, “Is that were Garrick took us to meet Brennan?”

Xaden’s grip on her head tightens a fraction, “What makes you say that?”

He knows she isn’t stupid but there is a glint in her eye, “He’s pretending to be dead, but he’s clearly working for you. It makes sense that you would make sure he was somewhere safe. Where would be safer than there?” Xaden’s expression shutters slightly and he has to stop himself from pulling away.

“You can’t-”

“Tell anyone, I know. I also doubt anyone would believe me.” she leans into his touch for a second before remembering herself, “Okay so imagining somewhere I feel safe.” The archives are the first place that comes to mind, she spent hours and hours there every day when she had been trying to impress her father. She closes her eyes, her head is tilted up towards Xaden’s face, “Got it.”

“Next you need to feel where the power is coming from.” Xaden’s fingers are itching to stroke against the soft skin of her neck, he manages to pull himself back into the moment, “Visualise a door or something that you can use to block off the power somehow.”

The archives feel like home and as Violet feels her feet firmly stand in the archives. She can smell the books and knows that if she reaches out to touch one, she will be able to feel it against her fingertips. Ahead of her she can see Tairn’s power, in her mind it is a massive roiling mass of black. It turns over on itself again and again, the sight of it alone takes her breath away. She shifts her vision and allows herself to imagine two massive doors on either side of Tairn’s power.

“I guess I have to close it.” her words seem to startle Xaden, his fingers at the base of her skull flex for a second.

“It won’t be easy, but you have to imagine that you are closing it.” he affirms with a nod.

Violet squeezes her eyes shut even tighter than before and imagines pushing against the doors, the weight of the power on the other side pushes back. Violet pulls in a deep breath and holds it as she focuses her mind and pushes even harder. The doors in her mind creak and shift before eventually slamming shut. The power that had been thundering through the open doorway now muted to little more than a trickle. Violet lets out the breath and steps away from Xaden. He allows her to step out of his grip and stares at her for a moment as she catches her breath.

Violet reopens her eyes, and they meet Xaden’s, “Thank you.” she whispers as she feels that she is finally in control of her body once more.

“You are incredible.” the words are filled with a genuine awe that knocks Violet off centre. She was expecting derision or mocking from him not whatever this is, “It took me weeks to learn how to do that.” he clarifies as if understanding the source of his awe would explain it fully.

Up until this moment Violet had been sure that Xaden merely saw her as an inconvenience, one that he wished he had managed to do away with before Threshing. But now, seeing the look of wonder in his eyes she allows herself to question how he really sees her. Violet aims for nonchalant as she says, “I clearly had a better teacher.” As she says the words, she notices there is a heat in his gaze that hadn’t been there before.

A smile curves his mouth upwards, and he steps towards her before stopping himself. Violet takes a half step back towards him and he reaches for her as if a magnet is drawing him back in. His hands cup the back of her head once more, “Did I mention that you have incredibly touchable skin.” Violet has the urge to snort as she puts it down to more poor judgement on his part. His fingers begin to stroke the soft skin behind her ears and Violet feels her stomach flipflop as Xaden closes the distance even more, “Touching you was a bad idea.” he whispers before brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“The worst.” she agrees as her eyes flick from his eyes to his lips. Violets tongue darts out and wets her lower lip.

Xaden groans as his pupils blow wide in response, “Kissing you would be a cataclysmic mistake.” his voice is still low but there is a rougher edge to it which ignites something in Violet’s stomach.

“Calamitous.” Violet’s agreement sounds like a challenge to Xaden’s ears.

The space between them can be measured in breaths, Violet knows that if either one of them were to lean in, close the distance, their lips would meet and the tension she is feeling coiling in her stomach would be set free.

“We’ll both regret it.” Violet forces herself not to smile as she hears the way his voice shakes. He doesn’t believe the words he’s saying.

“Naturally.” she agrees again and wonders if they have ever agreed this much about anything before this moment.

Xaden releases her and wrings out his hands before pacing around in a small circle. Violet watches his every move; she can practically hear his thoughts as he takes a steady breath before glancing up at her. They both know this is a very, very bad idea. But in this moment neither of them can bring themselves to care.

“Fuck it.” he definitely moves first but she catches him, her hands are around his neck while his cup her face as he brings his lips crashing down onto hers. A mistake, foolishness, definitely idiocy as well. His lips move against hers with an urgency. The feelings that have been twisting inside him whenever he sees her overwhelm him in this moment. He’s tired of fighting whatever this is.

The kiss feels reckless and wild and Violet is sure that if they hadn’t been in the middle of a field, she would’ve been quickly pressed against something. Instead, she finds herself held fast against Xaden’s body, the hard planes of his chest shift as his hands tangle in her hair. She gasps, opening her mouth a fraction, which is all the invitation that he needs to probe his tongue into her mouth. They battle for dominance and Violet uses her arms around his neck to hoist herself up as she wraps her legs around his body. He shifts a hand from her hair to underneath her thighs supporting her weight effortlessly.

He pulls away for a second to pull in a breath and whisper, “Violence.” before kissing her again with an intensity that has her core turning molten. His tongue licks into her mouth once more and Violet feels like she is floating as the kiss continues, her skin heats and a blinding flash of light fills the sky. It takes a while for her thoughts to return and her brain to work once more, she then rips her lips away from Xaden’s and they both gasp and Violet is sure she sees panic flare in Xaden’s eyes as he sets her back on her feet.

Violet takes an unsteady step back, her pupils are wide, and her core is still molten, and she isn’t sure she can blame Tairn and Sgaeyl for that anymore, “We shouldn’t-” she starts to say.

“I shouldn’t have done that.” Xaden speaks over her; he is still breathing hard as he looks her up and down for a moment as if he is remembering that she is dressed in very little.

Violet frowns hearing him taking responsibility for the kiss, “I mean we both did it.”

Xaden shakes his head and steps further away from her, “You are in no position to consent to this right now and I-” he breaks off seeing the hurt in her face, “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your dorms.”

The hurt shifts into something that looks a lot like rage before Violet pushes it back down, “I don’t need you to-”

Xaden reaches for her and Violet is silenced as his hand wraps around her wrist, she swallows as she stares down at his large hand, “I know you don’t need me to walk you back.” his eyes sweep down her body and he notes that she is shivering now, “Please, don’t fight me on this.”

The silence that hangs between them as they walk back towards the dorms. Violet’s skin is ice cold and by the time she reaches her room her fingers are numb she fumbles with her door handle before pushing it open with a grunt. She turns to look over her shoulder and sees Xaden’s retreating form already heading down the corridor away from her. She could probably convince herself that she had imagined the kiss and the way he had looked at her were it not for the way her lips remembered the imprint of his perfectly.

#fourth wing fanfic #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #fanfiction

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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I was going to do some writing but Tino had other ideas

#writing #cat #ouch his claws are so sharp

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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"just write a little every day" ok but what if i write nothing for 3 weeks and then suddenly type like i’m being hunted by god

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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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Chapter 12: A moving target

Violet smiles and reaches for the books, in doing so her collar shifts and Jesinia’s eyes are drawn to the green and yellow necklace of bruises which decorate her throat. A gasp is pulled from Jesinia and the noise of it almost causes Violet to drop the books, “Gods Violet,” her signs are sharp as her eyes stay glued onto the bruises, “your neck.” Violet shifts uncomfortably under the gaze of her friend.

Scribes aren’t used to the blood and guts that being a rider entails, and Violet envies her friend in that moment. This is what she was supposed to be. She was supposed to live a sheltered life amongst these shelves away from the pain of the real world.

Violet wants to brush it off, tell her not to worry, tell her that she’s fine. But there is something in the way she is looking at her that stops her, “Yeah, riders are ruthless.” she whispers shrugging her shoulder slightly so that she can reposition her collar, “I’m on the mend already.” she signs shyly.

Chapter 12: A moving target

Violet refuses to let Liam push the book cart, he’s been altogether too helpful already in his mission as her shadow. The cart’s wheel which had squeaked and squealed and been oiled and fixed by him on his second day in the archives. She is annoyed by his sunny disposition and his general need to be helpful. Neither of them have spoken about Dain’s admissions at the dinner table but Violet can tell he wants to.

She approaches Jesinia with a warm smile, “Hey Jesinia.” she signs.

“Good morning, Violet.” she signs back.

“Good morning.” Liam signs and just as Jesinia is about sign to him in reply Violet shakes her head.

“You don’t need to acknowledge him today. Today we’re cross with him.” she signs quickly.

Liam snorts as he watches her hands, “Only today?” Jesinia asks tilting her head to one side in a question.

Violet purses her lips, “That is yet to be decided.” Jesinia offers Liam a small smile as she takes the list of books from Violet and busies herself with trying to find them.

“You know it isn’t fair of you to be angry with me.” Liam says in a conversational tone.

Violet rolls her eyes, “You would say that.” she chews on her lip watching his side profile for a moment before asking, “Xaden must really trust you for you to be my shadow?”

Liam nods, “Ask the question you really want to Vi.”

She wrinkles her nose in annoyance, “How do you know each other?”

Liam turns to look at her for a second, “We were fostered together after our parents were killed.”

“I...I hadn’t thought about what happened to the children of those involved in the apostasy. At the time I was consumed with rage and grief.” she pauses and looks around, but they are alone, “Grief that I now know was wasted.” She doesn’t ask the question that she is desperate to. Even if Liam knows why her brother faked his death, he’s the one she should hear it from.

A moment later and laden down with many books, Jesinia returns. She places the books down before signing to the pair, “I have everything here for you.” she then gestures to a scroll which is balanced on the top, “And that is for Professor Markham.”

Violet turns away as her cheeks heat, “Xaden taught me to fight while we were fostered together.” the change in subject is clunky but Violet is glad for it, she offers him a weak smile before they start to head out as they move the scroll rolls from the top of the pile and unfurls slightly as it bounces on the ground. Violet’s ribs protest as she bends to snatch it up.

The conditions at Summerton are of particular concern. A village was ransacked and a supply convoy looted last night -

Violet pulls her eyes away from the scroll and glances up at Liam who is watching her with a question written on his face, he doesn’t need to ask, “Summerton was attacked.” Violet’s own knowledge of geography kicks in and she frowns, another high-altitude attack.

Liam shrugs, “I guess it’ll be brought up in battle brief today.”

Violet nods of course he’s probably right. Only he isn’t.

A thumping in the middle of the night causes Violet to jolt awake. She slips her hand under her pillow and wraps her hand around her dagger. The familiar weight of it is a comfort that surprises her. Despite the comfort her dagger brings her heart rate spikes and a cold sweat trickles down her spine. The wood of her door splinters and cracks but the door remains whole.

“Tairn?” She reaches out in desperation, “What is happening?”

There is annoyance in Tairn’s tone as he replies, “I can’t see, but I think perhaps someone is trying to break in.” he pauses and Violet wants to rage at him for stating the obvious, “But the wingleader has warded your door. No one is getting through that door.”

Violet feels relief overtake the fear as she hears a voice shouting outside her room quickly followed by several thuds. With each bang Violet flinches, her grip on her dagger never falters. She pulls her legs from beneath her blanket and stalks carefully towards her door, she chances pulling it open and grimaces at the sight that meets her. Liam is standing over the unconscious form of an unbonded cadet. There is a smear of blood near the cadet’s temple.

“Was this an attempt on my life?” she asks her tone bored.

Liam shrugs, “A poor one, but yeah. Xaden already made sure that no one can get into your room.”

Violet looks at the door, the wood of it is dented slightly, she pulls an annoyed face, “I guess that’ll need fixing.” she pauses looking down at the unconscious cadet, “What are you going to do with him?” she is reminded of when Tairn told her to kill an unconscious Oren and he returned to cause the now green bruises which adorn her throat. She absentmindedly allows her fingers to trace them as she waits for Liam’s response.

He does so with another shrug, “He’ll wake up in the morning with a bump on his head grateful to still be breathing.”

“Be honest with me, is this my life now?” she knows that he is in the loop with Xaden, Liam must know about her mother’s plans, “My mother is going to send people after me and now that I’m connected to Xaden his death will just be a handy side effect.” There is a bitterness in Violet’s voice mixed with frustration, “Am I just supposed to accept that?”

Liam offers her a look of sympathy, “I know it must feel frustrating to be a pawn in someone else’s game. And if Dain is to be believed,” Violet snorts but offers no comment, “it would seem that even your mom is a pawn in Melgen’s game.”

“This is why I wanted to be a fucking scribe.” she bites out stepping away from him, she leaves her door open as an invitation for him to step inside. Liam smiles rubbing his hand on the back of his neck as he steps up to the doorway but stays outside, “What?”

“I...uh I wasn’t kidding when I said Xaden warded your door. You have to be touching someone for them to be able to come into your room.” Violet’s eyes open wider as she stares at him in disbelief. He demonstrates by placing his hands against what appears to be an invisible wall.

“He’s going to have to teach me that.” she says before extending a hand towards him. Liam takes her hand and steps into her room.

“You were saying...this is why you wanted to be a scribe?” Liam asks as he allows his eyes to scan her bedroom.

Violet huffs out a breath as she sinks into her bed, “My dad was a scribe.” Violet has a faraway look in her eyes as she continues, “I always hoped that if I learnt enough, read enough, somehow, he would notice me or be proud. Markham was ready to have me as a scribe but then dad died and I didn’t have anyone to impress anymore.” she pauses for a moment with a frown, “Brennan dying was probably the worst thing that ever happened to me. So, I’m sure you can imagine how completely angry I was to discover he isn’t actually dead.”

There is a pause, and Liam feels the need to fill the silence with something, “He’ll explain his reason to you for that, I’m sure.”

Violet shakes her head slowly, “He can save his words. I don’t need to hear it." Her face is now suddenly closed off, the hurt from before closed away behind a mask of indifference.

Liam realises that he is about to overstay his welcome, but he has one more seed he needs to plant before he goes, “It was strange that they didn’t mention the Summerton attack in battle brief. Why do you think that is?”

“It wasn’t marked as confidential so there must be another reason.” Violet studies Liam’s face for a moment and he schools his features knowing that giving something away now would be dangerous for everyone.

“I should...deal with the guy outside. I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast?”

Violet nods and stands to place a hand on his shoulder so that he is able to step out of her room. She doesn’t hesitate as she closes the door behind him. Sleep is hard to come by as she curls herself in a ball, memories of her brother swirl around in her head. She wishes she could speak to him now, despite her words to Liam she wants to know why he faked his death. She deserves to know the truth.

The knock on Xaden’s door the next morning pulls him from a dream of twisting shadows momentarily illuminated by bright flashes of light. He jerks awake his heart hammering in his chest a cold sweat clinging to his brow, he swipes the sweat away as he pulls himself out of bed and yanks the door open. Liam stands there looking nervous.

“What? What’s going on?” Xaden asks stepping aside so that Liam and come inside.

Liam gives Xaden the once over, “You look like hell, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well. What do you need?” his onyx gaze is steely, apparently whatever dream he has had has left him with very little patience.

“Someone tried to kill Violet last night.” Liam informs him with a grimace.

“I’m going to guess that because you’re telling me now that they were unsuccessful.”

“That and you aren’t dead should give you a clue Xaden.” Sgaeyl’s tone is sarcastic, and Xaden bites his tongue.

“It was one guy, and he didn’t even get through her door. The noise woke her up, so I spoke to her. She told me a few things; she also had an interesting book on her desk.”

“What book?” Xaden asks his brow furrowing.

“The Fables of the Barren.” Xaden looks at him in confusion as if the title means nothing to him, “You’ve never heard of it?” Xaden shakes his head, “It tells the story of venin and wyvern – but it’s a fairy tale.”

Xaden’s eyes narrow in concern, “This woman is just full of surprises.” he sighs, “Anything else?” Liam shakes his head, “Tell the others to meet here at the end of the day, we have to work out how we’re going to keep her stubborn ass alive.”

“It must be nice to have finally met someone who is as stubborn as you.” Sgaeyl’s tone is singsong, and Xaden knows better than to rise to the bait.

That evening Xaden is resisting the urge to pace his rug once more as he waits for his friends to assemble in his room.

Imogen is the last to take her place, she gives Garrick a none too gentle shove to take a spot on the bed. There is a heavy silence in the room which Imogen breaks with a sneer, “I have a complaint.”

“You do?” Xaden sighs and taps his foot in annoyance.

Imogen’s eyebrow arches, “I do. You asked me to get Quinn involved, you asked me to make her an accomplice and convince her to fake mini Sorrengail’s death...and then you fucking come back with her? What was that all about?”

Xaden pulls in a breath, he knew the question was coming, “We couldn’t kidnap her, she refused to stay safe, so we brought her back.”

“You absolutely could have kidnapped her!” Imogen bites back with a glare, “You and you,” she points as Garrick, “are at least three times her size. You could easily have taken her to Aretia and kept her there. Xaden, we don’t have time for your fucking morals. That little bitch is going to get us all killed.”

Xaden bristles with indignation and bites his tongue from defending Violet, “She’s nothing like her mother Imogen. We can’t blame her for who her parents are. She’s actually really intelligent and cares about her squad and the people around her.” Xaden’s eyes move to Liam as he speaks, there is a fondness in his tone and Xaden absolutely refuses to acknowledge the ugly emotion that twists in his stomach in response.

Imogen’s eyes are molten as she shifts her anger to Liam, “I don’t care if she’s smart or kind. Neither of those are attributes that will keep her alive.”

Xadem swallows, “Yes regarding that. We do need to keep her alive. Even more so than before, my life depends on it. Imogen I was hoping you would train her.”

Imogen laughs, it is a bark of derision, “You’re joking?”

He shakes his head, “I wasn’t actually.”

“I’m not going anywhere near that little bitch. If you want her trained, you fucking do it.” and not for the first time, Imogen pushes herself from Xaden’s bed and marches from the room slamming the door heavily behind her.

Garrick takes the opportunity to shift himself from the floor and into her vacated spot before saying, “You didn’t really think she’d agree to that did you?”

“I thought maybe the threat to my life would persuade her.” he mutters before moving a hand through his dark hair scratching at his head in frustration.

“Maybe she’s right Xaden. The only person Violet will probably trust is you or maybe Liam.” Bodhi’s voice is reasonable, “She doesn’t really know the rest of us and her only other interaction with Imogen was when she broke her arms.”

Xaden glances at Liam who is wrinkling his nose, “You make a good point.” he concedes with a sigh, “Liam?”

“You’re on your own for this one Xaden. She’s already been grilling me about being her shadow. If you want her to be tougher you should train, her yourself.” Liam replies his blue eyes are full of challenge but Xaden nods knowing that his brother and cousin are right.

Xaden turns away from Liam but makes the mistake of making eye contact with Garrick, his expression is full of mischief as he looks at his friend, “Just one quick question.” he says with a smirk pulling at his lips.

“I’m not sure I want to hear it but go on.”

“Are you agreeing to train her simply as an excuse to touch her again?” Xaden doesn’t offer him a response simply glares and waves everyone from the room.

The sun is blaring down into the courtyard as midmorning shifts towards the afternoon. There are only a few clouds in the sky and the November temperature is threatening to dip lower as the day wears on despite the sunshine.

Violet is crossing the courtyard between classes when a shout draws her attention. Liam a couple of steps behind barrels into her knocking Violet forwards a few steps as a body from the left goes flying towards her. As she stumbles Violet’s eyes zero in on the glint of a blade. Violet’s heart begins hammering as she ducks her head and tucks her shoulder before rolling her body forwards. She turns, wincing at the way her muscles pull and ache at the sudden movement. Once she has regained her footing, one knee braced on the ground the other prepared to push her into a standing position once more, she turns to see that Liam is standing between her and her would-be attacker.

“What the fuck was that?” Violet asks rubbing her shoulder.

The cadet with the knife looks over Liam’s shoulder at her and bares his teeth full of menace and threat, “The bitch needs to die.”

“Oh great.” she mutters allowing her body to relax as she falls back onto her backside, “Another attempt on my life.” she sighs and then feels her blood turn to ice as the attacker readies his knife to throw. There is no way she is going to be able to get out of the way, Liam won’t be quick enough to block it and she won’t be pulling on Andarna’s power again for this asshole.

Violet pulls in a breath and watches the blade as he pulls his arm back and readies the throw a shadow passes over her shoulder before completely engulfing her. There is a moment before Violet realises what is happening, she allows herself a glance over her shoulder where she sees Xaden, his eye murderous as he marches across the courtyard with his shadows reaching out in front of him. One shadow has already caught the blade and is tossing it away before Violet looks back over her shoulder at the attacker. The next second Liam is charging at him and Xaden is standing in front of her offering her a hand.

Something flashes in her eyes that looks like venom as she shoves his hand away and climbs to her feet, “Another rescue Xaden?” she eyes the man that Liam is still grappling with before looking back at the man standing in front of her, “I’m going to start thinking you’re setting these up.” she knows he isn’t but she wants to say something that will get a rise out of him, she’s pissed off and her knees hurt and she wants him to feel something as well.

Xaden watches her for a long moment, he is aware that he is staring, he is also aware that Liam is bundling the cadet who has rushed Violet out of the courtyard, “I don’t particularly enjoy having my own life threatened Violence.” he glances up and down at her assessing for any other injuries, he can tell by the way she is holding her shoulder that she’s feeling a little sore but perhaps nothing more than that, “I’m going to make sure that you don’t need to be rescued next time.”

Violet looks at him incredulously, “And how do you plan on doing that?” she asks her eyebrow quirked in disbelief.

Xaden takes half a step towards her closed the gap and lowering his voice as he steps into her personal space, “I am going to train you. I’m going to make sure you get stronger so that you stop falling off Tairn’s back.” her eyes glaze over slightly and Xaden can tell that she is having a discussion with her dragon, he wonders for a second if she is arguing with him, when her eyes clear she looks just as irritated as before.

“Do you think my mother sent that one or were they after you?” she asks looking around him to see if the man in question was still in the courtyard.

“Violet,” he pauses, and she snaps her gaze back to him, clearly stunned that he has chosen to use her real name, “this is serious.” he catches her wrist in his hand and once again cannot stop himself from grazing his thumb against her pulse point, “I know you’re angry. You have every right to be. But I don’t want to fucking die. And me not dying means I have to keep you alive.” she pulls a face but says nothing her eyes drifting to where his hand is still holding her arm before locking her eyes with his once more, “Someone important wants you dead.” his voice is so quiet now that Violet has to take a half step forward to hear him, “We will work out who eventually. But before that, you need to be stronger in every single way possible.” Xaden releases her wrist with Garrick’s words still echoing in his head. He turns away from her for a second before turning back, his voice still impossibly low, “Also, you need to stop poisoning your opponents. Someone is going to work out that you’re doing it eventually.” a strand of hair slips from behind her ear as it is caught by the wind and Xaden’s eyes follow it, he is gripped by the irrational need to snag the strands between his fingers and replace it behind her ear.

He resists. But it doesn’t stop his mouth from going dry at the thought. Did he agree to train her because it would mean he could touch her? He wasn’t sure that he wanted to answer that question because he already knew he didn’t like the response.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

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Chapter 11: The Truth Hurts

“Tairn, you’ll wake the whole college if you keep that noise up.” Violet admonishes, “I’m fine. I am unhurt.” She directs the second part to both dragons as Andarna moves closer and presses her nose against Violet’s ribs which still hurt but are no worse for wear after her journey.

“You knew that I did not approve of you taking her away.” his tone is gruff and is clearly directed at Xaden.

Violet flinches as she hears his voice in her head, “We didn’t have time to discuss it.” Violet looks quickly between Xaden and the dragons, “Yes you can speak to me like this as well.”

Violet frowns before leaning heavily on Andarna who accepts her weight with no complaint, “I need to sleep, or I will be in agony in the morning.” Violet wonders if being honest with Xaden is the best move, it seems he is being honest with her for the moment. She also realises that even if she manages to get any sleep tonight, she is probably going to be in agony.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/169731181

Chapter 11: The Truth Hurts

Violet’s stomach revolts for a second time as she, Garrick and Xaden step back onto the flight field at Basgiath. There is silence for all of three seconds before Tairn roars both in Violet’s head and out loud. The trio all cover their ears in response to the ear-splitting noise of Tairn’s displeasure.

“I’ll, let you handle that.” Garrick says with a grimace as he slouches away heading back towards the dorms and his bed.

“You knew that I did not approve of you taking her away.” his tone is gruff and is clearly directed at Xaden.

Violet flinches as she hears his voice in her head, “We didn’t have time to discuss it.” Violet looks quickly between Xaden and the dragons, “Yes you can speak to me like this as well.”

There is a pause before Xaden nods and walks towards her, “We still need to properly discuss all of this.” he tells her before placing his hand low at the small of her back and leading her back towards the college, Violet expects to turn left towards the first year dorms but Xaden leads her to the right.

“Where are we-”

“Your room was pretty trashed Violence. You couldn’t sleep in there tonight.” Violet sways slightly and her footsteps falter, Xaden slows his pace and allows Violet a moment to regain her breath and steady her steps.

Violet resists the urge to make a snarky comment as they walk together eventually, they reach his room and Xaden pulls her in. She stands awkwardly realising now that she has a cloak over her nightgown and Xaden’s flight leathers but little else. Xaden moves around her, he removes his cloak and continues with his preparations for bed.

“Are you waiting for something?” he asks with that infuriating smirk lifting his lips slightly.

Seeing her wrong footed seems to bring Xaden joy, “I was...I.” she huffs, “Am I expected to sleep in your bed?” she asks her cheeks glowing in the low mage lights.

Xaden pulls back the covers of his bed, “I can keep my hands to myself Violence, if you can.”

Rage bubbles up from somewhere deep in her stomach and she has to stop herself from shouting at him, “Do you really think I’m in the mood to joke with you right now Riorson? You practically kidnap me after coming to my rescue after my room was broken into and you tell me that my mother told you to fucking kill me and make it look like an accident.” she inhales deeply and has to push away the urge to cry as she finally admits how completely overwhelmed she is by it all.

Xaden nods, “You’re right, that was uncalled for.” he shuffles himself under the covers and tries not to watch as she removes the cloak from her shoulders and unlaces her boots before stepping out of them, “You never did tell me how they got into your room.” Realisation slams into her in that moment and she looks up at him in shock, “What?” she hesitates and Xaden sighs, “You really have to start trusting me, Violet.”

She isn’t sure whether it is his tone, or because he has actually uses her name but she nods and tells him exactly what she saw before everything went to hell in her room only a few hours before.

Amber Mavis pays the price for her vengeance with her life. Her scream continues to echo in Violet’s ears as she sits in battle brief a little later that day. Liam, who had been close to the group already now finds himself almost glued to Violet’s side. Rhiannon eyes the pair of them cautiously assessing the sudden closeness.

“So let me get this straight-” she repeats back to Violet the edited tale of her night’s escapades, Violet had been careful about what she had informed Rhiannon, Ridoc and Sawyer. They knew about her attack and Mavis’ involvement, and they knew that Xaden had come to her rescue, but she had kept her little journey thanks to Garrick to herself. As she had recounted the story, she could feel Liam’s eyes on her and she wondered how much exactly he had heard from Xaden.

Waking in Xaden’s bed had been strange, Violet had been sure she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep at all. Afterall Xaden had literally told her hours earlier that her own mother had asked him to kill her. Even with his reassurance that their lives were tethered, and he wouldn’t kill her she had been sure sleep would evade her. As it was she fell asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. Apparently, her mind, body and soul were all completely worn out. She slept without dreaming and wakes with the sun to find that Xaden is already up and dressed ready for the day. She awkwardly shuffled around his room pulling the cloak from the night before back around her shoulders before Xaden insists on walking her back to her room. She had just managed to get herself dressed for the day when Rhiannon had knocked on her door. The night before felt entirely surreal. It was only when she opened her door to Rhi and saw the look of complete horror on her friends’ face that she realised it hadn’t been a strange collective hallucination.

As the group leaves battle brief Violet pulls Liam to one side, “I have a question for you.” she nods over her shoulder at the others telling them to carry on walking.

Liam allows his features to scrunch in apparent discomfort, “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this question?”

“Because you probably won’t. I need you to be honest with me. Xaden asked you to be my friend, didn’t he?” Violet doesn’t wait for him to respond before she is giving him the evidence, she has gathered like he is on trial, “You were moved into our squad, on his request and then the next day you just became part of the group. None of us questioned it because...well to be honest you’re so nice.”

Liam has the decency to blush before he shrugs, “You want honesty?” she nods, “Yeah, he wanted me to keep an eye on you when he couldn’t. He didn’t want your mother to think it was weird, so he asked me to do it basically straight away.”

Violet has a faraway look on her face for a moment, “You know about my mother’s request?” his nod is shy and full of regret. Violet isn’t sure if he is regretful that he hadn’t been able to tell her before or if he is regretful that her mother wanted her dead.

“Violet!” the voice that calls Violet’s name is unexpected, she turns around to make sure that she heard right, and she is shocked to see Dain Aetos marching towards her. He had been particularly upset this morning when she had accused Amber Mavis of being the one to unlock her room to allow the unbonded in to attack her in her sleep. Even with the proof being shown to him he had seemed to cling on to his disbelief. To have him standing in front of her now, looking a little flushed but clearly wanting to talk to her tugged at something in her chest. This was what she had wanted from Dain from day one. His disdain and disinterest had stung. When Violet had had no one, she had always thought she would still have Dain.

Her features harden, “Dain? Oh, so now I'm worth your time?” Liam loiters nearby his eyes jumping from Violet to Dain and back again.

Dain’s eyes flicker to Liam before focusing on Violet, “I need to explain. I need to talk to you, alone.”

Violet considers him for a moment, she considers dismissing Liam before narrowing his gaze and taking a measured step back, “Whatever you want to say to me you can say in front of him.” There is a flicker of emotion in Dain’s eyes before he exhales slowly and steps toward her his expression one of remorse.

He looks around the courtyard as if suddenly aware that they are out in the open, “Not here...I’ll come and find you later.” and with that he’s gone. Leaving Violet feeling stripped bare and raw emotionally.

“What do you think he needs to explain?” Liam has moved closer and is studying her face.

Violet takes a moment before turning to look at Liam, “I have no idea. He hasn’t spoken to me since I arrived, we used to be friends.” there is a pause as Violet pulls in a sad breath steadying herself, “Other than my siblings he was the only one I had to talk to. I was expecting him to be the same when I arrived, but he treated me like I was little more than dirt on his shoe.”

The scraping sound of metal against wood as Violet uses a butter knife to scrape a pattern into the underside of her desk. She’d been sitting underneath it to do some reading after eating her dinner at her desk alone but the knife from her meal had been calling her and she had begun to scratch out an image on the underside of her desk. She’d been working at it for a while before realising that it appeared that she was drawing a dragon. She stares into the single eye that she had drawn when a knock on the door startles her from her thoughts. She jumps slightly and bumps her head before calling out, “Come in.” she instructs while rubbing her head as she crawls out from beneath her desk.

Dain’s head is just starting to poke around the door as he pushes it open, “Vi?”

Violet rushes to the door and tugs him into the room before closing the door behind him, “What are you doing here? I was told I wasn’t allowed any visitors.”

Dain’s expression is cautious, “My father had a meeting with your mother. I wanted to see if you were okay.”

Violet isn’t sure if he’s making fun of her in that moment, how can she possibly be okay, her brother is dead, “If you’re just here to spy you can see yourself out.” she spins away from him meaning to go back to the carving under her desk but Dain catches her wrist and holds fast.

“I have no ulterior motive. I know I’m not even supposed to be here.” he pauses and tugs her wrist until she turns back to face him, “I was worried about my friend.”

There is a heavy sigh from Violet which is filled with the grief and rage she has been bottling up in the weeks since the funeral, “Mira trains every day, I’m not even allowed in my father’s office anymore because I get in the way. Lilith hasn’t looked at me since the funeral. I think if she could she would have found a way to blame me for the whole thing.” Violet tugs her wrist from his grip before throwing herself toward her bed, she feels a sense of satisfaction as the springs of the mattress bounce her slightly. “I’ve had times when I’ve felt lonely here, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this completely alone.” Dain’s expression is one of empathy.

“Well, I’m here now, what do you want to do?” he asks hoping that his presence is enough.

Violet sighs wistfully, “Give me stories from the outside world. What is happening with the Tyrrish people? Is it true all of the adults involved have been executed?” If there is one thing Violet loathes it is being out of contact with the outside world. She doesn’t trust that her mother or father would give her an accurate account of what is happening, so she doesn’t even bother asking them.

Dain nods slowly, “They’ve all been killed yes. The son of the great betrayer has apparently made a deal for the lives of the children. My father was furious that your mother agreed to it. She didn’t listen to his counsel and went ahead with it without him.” There is something in Dain’s tone which makes him sound like his father, there is a heavy judgement from the fifteen-year-old that Violet is sure is coming directly from his father’s words.

“She made a deal with Fen Riorson’s son. Fen Riorson who killed Brennan?” Violet wants to feel disbelief. She wants to think that her mother has more integrity than this but she knows she doesn’t. The woman who has never even shown her youngest child an ounce of care would have no problem making a deal with the child of her son’s killer.

Pity colour’s Dain’s expression and Violet is forced to lie back on her bed to avoid looking at him, she doesn’t want him to feel sorry for her, “The very same.” he confirms, “I know this isn’t easy to hear. My dad thinks she has a plan, but she hasn’t told him anything about it.” Violet holds onto that nugget of information like it will help her somehow.

When Lilith finally looks at her a week later it is only to tell her that her father has died. When she says the words, Violet feels something inside her shatter. He may have afforded her the same level of attention that Lilith had but that didn’t mean she hadn’t looked up to him. She had wanted to be like him in every way, she read and studied and filled her brain with as much information as she could hoping that one day he would tell her he was proud of her. The pain in her mother’s face is unfamiliar, Violet is used to seeing a cold, detached, mask from her. Any sign of emotion on her mother’s face feels strange and wrong. Violet has to push down her urge to question her mother. She wants to know how he died, who found him, where he was. She wants to know everything, but she also knows that her mother is the last person who would tell her.

That evening at dinner Violet collects her food on her tray before her eyes scan the crowds and she quickly sees her squad. She also sees that Dain has positioned himself right next to her squad. Violet sighs to herself as she moves over and places her tray beside him before lowering herself into a seat beside him.

“Evening Vi.” Ridoc greets before stealing a roast potato from her plate. Violet makes a sound of indignation before narrowing her gaze while fighting a smile.

The group falls into an easy conversation about their day. Violet tries to ignore Dain but before long his persistent gaze becomes impossible to ignore.

“What?” she bites out at him under her breath.

A thought crosses Violet’s mind that Dain should never be a spy, he is not very good at being discreet, “I wanted to explain.” he pauses as his eyes scan the room slowly, “There are so many things I have to apologise for. My father told me that you were joining the rider’s quadrant, and he also told me to stay away from you.” Violet has the urge to question him about that, but she knows there is little point. Of course he would do whatever his father asked him without question. He worships the codex and abhors rule breaking of any kind, “He told me that Melgren said something about you and destiny and that you wouldn’t be around for long.”

Violet stares at her plate before chancing a look at Liam, the way his fork is tapping against his plate tells her he has been listening to everything Dain has said, “Melgren?” she breathes his name in disbelief, “Why would you come to me with this now?” she asks finally looking at him.

Violet watches as his eyes drift away from her and linger for a second or two on a group sitting a few tables over, she doesn’t need to follow his gaze to know he’s looking at Xaden, “The target on your back just got ten times bigger Violet. You’ve already had a whole group of unbonded try to kill you. Now anyone with a score to settle with him is going to try to snap your neck to settle it.” Violet fights the urge flinch at the image of someone snapping her neck. She lifts a hand to the bruises that decorate her throat, she had refused a healer choosing to wear them with pride.

“So, you think that explaining why you’ve been distant is going to somehow save me from the hordes of people now vying for my death?” she can tell by the way he winces he knows she doesn’t buy what he’s trying to sell.

“I know that I could’ve come to you with this at any time. I know that I’ve fucked up,” Violet tilts her head like she is listening to someone and Dain wonders if her dragons are talking to her, “I just want you to know that I’ve got your back. I know the whole situation with Amber...I didn’t react in the best way.”

She snaps then, her patience feeling like a taught rubber band, “No shit. You have been my friend for years and you believed her over me without question. You only believed me once you could see it with your own fucking eyes.” she flexes her hand, curling and uncurling her fist as rage courses through her, “You were the one person I thought I could rely on beside Mira.” Violet wants to say more, she wants to scream at him about trust, but she knows she should probably walk away. She gathers her tray and stands to put her rubbish in the bin. Liam follows her and is on her heels like a shadow as he follows her out of the dining hall.

“Vi,” he reaches a hand out for her shoulder before pulling back, “hey, Vi.”

She spins on the spot her expression murderous, “I don’t need your fucking platitudes Liam. Leave me alone.” she’s drawing attention, and she knows it. Her skull tingles for a second and she knows without looking that Xaden’s eyes are on her. She doesn’t wait for Liam to speak again before she storms away from him. Liam turns to look at Xaden to find that the man in question is already on his feet and has reached Liam in a few strides.

“You’ll tell me what that was about later.” it isn’t a question as he follows Violet out of the dining hall and towards the dorms.

#fourth wing fanfic #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #fourth wing #I'm a week behind ooops ch12 will be this weekend probably

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

Text

Chapter 10: Easy way out

Xaden forces himself to swallow and take a deep breath, “Nothing’s broken but you’re going to have some nasty bruises.” he tells her before expertly re-lacing the corset and stepping away as she lets the night dress fall to her mid-thigh. She is shivering, Xaden isn’t sure if it is from the cold or the adrenaline, but he shrugs off his flight leathers and places them around her.

She opens her mouth to object but stops as the warmth from the item must seep into her, “Th-thank you.” she whispers before gasping as he kneels down in front of her, “what are you-” it takes her a second to register that he has placed her boots on the ground in front of her and is loosening the laces so that he can help her into them, “Are we going somewhere?” she asks. Her head feels hazy, and she feels like she could sleep for a week, and he wants to go for a walk. Violet lifts a foot and places it into the boot before doing the same with the second one.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/168925951

Chapter 10: The Easy Way Out

It is dark out and Violet is trying desperately to get her father’s attention from where he sits at his desk. Her voice feels impossibly small and she herself feels dwarfed by the desk before her. She reaches and each time she does she feels like the desk grows another inch and her father moves further and further away from her.

She opens her mouth to speak, to call out to him and pull his attention away from whatever he is reading so that he will finally look at her. Her words won’t come. Her mouth opens and shuts in frustration as she remains silent and invisible.

A shiver makes its way down her spine and Violet feels it shudder through her just as a voice cracks her open, “WAKE OR DIE.” her eyes flash open and Violet realises the voice is that of her dragon she is then acutely aware of the other people in her room.

“Shit, she’s awake.” a voice hisses.

“Do it. Do it now!” a second voice before footsteps and someone running away closing the door behind them with a bang.

There is a breath before hell breaks loose, someone stabs forwards with a sword, Violet grunts in pain once again more grateful than ever to Mira for her armour. Violet glances for a second behind her and wonders if she could jump out the window, “I’d never get to you in time. Stay alive. He’s coming.”

Violet wonders to herself for half a second who is coming. She then focuses on the instruction before that. Stay alive. To do that she is going to need to move. There is space under the first attacker’s arm, she dives for it slamming her elbow into his gut.

“He will only respect us if we kill her.” one of them says, Violet has to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Do they really think that Tairn would bond with them? Would they end up fighting each other for the honour. Violet rolls forwards catching a boot to the ribs on her way down. The air is knocked from her lungs as she pulls two daggers from her desk, she hurls one straight away and feels satisfaction as it sinks into the arm of one of the attackers effectively pinning them to the wall.

“Unless you have another 4 of those, I would suggest you hold on to that one Silver one.” Violet huffs out a breath before launching herself towards one of her other attackers. They swear loudly and blood blooms from the wound in their stomach that Violet has caused.

A heavy hit knocks her to the floor and Violet recognises Oren’s grunt before she spins to face him. She isn’t sure how she has managed it but her fist is still clenched around her dagger, blood drips from the dagger before pain lances through her as she is thrown up against the wall. “Ow fuck.” her head cracks against the wall and she sees stars.

Oren tries again to stab her in the ribs before letting his knife clatter to the floor, “I should’ve killed you at threshing.” she forces the words out spittle flying across his face as she does so. She pulls in a breath ready to hurl more insults as his hands close around her throat.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

His fingers tighten. Violet refuses to panic. The dagger still clutched in her hand spins as she turns it inward and stabs it into his side. There is shock and pain written on his face, she pulls the blade out and stabs down again. His grip does don’t falter. “I’m fixing the mistake you made.” he grits out the pressure on her neck increases and she sees spots of black creeping into her vision.

“MINE!” the voice is Andarna’s and the power that comes with it is instantaneous. Violet feels it fill the room and fill her and, Violet feels like she can breathe. She pulls in a breath and fills her lungs, “Go!” Andarna again.

In that moment Violet realises two things, one everyone in the room is frozen and two she is the only one who can actually get out. Violet pulls in another unsteady breath before ducking away from Oren she still clutches the dagger which is now dripping blood onto her floor and heads aimlessly towards the door. She slams her shoulder into the door and feels it pop as she barrels into the corridor. She runs into Liam who had apparently heard the noise.

“Violet, what the? Oh, fuck Violet.” he catches her as she sags against him as the room returns to life behind them and the sound of thundering footsteps echo along the hall ahead.

“Where the fuck did, she go?!” Oren’s voice rebounds off the wall.

When Xaden rounds the corner Violet is loath to admit that relief floods her system, there is rage brimming in his eyes. He sweeps his gaze over her once his eyes focus on the dagger and her bloody hands before he brushes past them and into her room.

“You’re all fucking dead.” Violet is fairly sure she hears him say. Her legs are shaking, and she isn’t sure she will be able to keep herself upright for much longer.

Her fingers finally let the dagger drop to the floor as her knees give way. Liam holds strong before sinking with her to the floor, “Hey, you’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Violet blinks slowly and a second later Xaden is in front of her, “Violence look at me.” she is pulling air in slowly and struggling to get her eyes to focus on Xaden’s face. “Violence.” he calls her again.

She can’t stop thinking that she’s alive. How the fuck is she alive?

“Yes, you’re alive. Now are you hurt?” her eyes snap to his suddenly looking at him.

“I wasn’t aware I’d said that out loud.” Violet’s hand lifts to her throat and Xaden’s eyes are drawn to what probably is a necklace of bruises adorning her neck.

Violet is sure that his eyes narrow before he says, “I should’ve killed them slower.” he pauses before adding, “Where are you hurt Violence.”

“I’m fine.”

Xaden feels something twist in his gut. He knows that she is lying, “Never lie to me.” he tells her with severity. Garrick and Bodhi appear at his shoulder; they mutter something to Liam about clean up. For a moment Violet wonders what could need cleaning up.

Bodies.

“You’re breathing like crap so I’m guessing-”

“My ribs.” she confirms, Liam has opened his bedroom, and Xaden is helping Violet to her feet and walking her into his room a second later.

There is a pause and Violet and Xaden stand in front of each other in silence for a few moments, “Show me.” heat rushes to Violet cheeks.

She isn’t sure that she can trust him yet, he may have come to her rescue, but trust is not easy to come by.

“Trust him.” Tairn’s tone is insistent.

“How can I be sure that he is trustworthy?” she asks.

The grumble that follows is all petulance, “Trust him with this.”

So, she does. She swallows hesitantly, “Mira had dragon scale armour made for me. It is how I’ve survived this far.”

Xaden’s scarred brow lifts in surprise, a look akin to hunger then crosses over his face as she lifts her night dress and gives him access to the laces at the back of the corset. He delicately unloops each thread biting his tongue slightly as the pad of one of his thumbs brushes against the bare skin of her back.

“How do you get yourself into this thing?” he asks before he can stop himself.

“I’m freakishly flexible.” the answer causes Xaden’s blood to head south and he has to take several breaths to calm himself. Brennan had already explained about her joints and the way her bones tend to snap more than the average person’s. He pulls at the laces of her corset exposing more and more of her flesh until he is able to see the purpling bruise against her ribs. “One side was a sword the other took a boot. Both fucking sucked.” she mutters, Xaden grunts in response and has to stop himself from running his hand down the length of her spine. Her skin looks deliciously touchable, and he is sure her hair is probably softer than silk. She has scooped it up and pushed it over one shoulder, but he can’t stop staring.

Xaden pulls the laces tight, and Violet reaches out to steady herself, she finds her fingers gripping Xaden’s shoulder for a second before she recoils remembering herself, “Yes. We need to have a little chat.” he stands and accepts the cloaks that Liam extends to them, he pulls his on before wrapping a second one around Violet’s shoulders. He allows himself a moment to look at her face, she looks pale, even in this low light Xaden wonders how close she is to throwing up. Her hands are still trembling slightly as the adrenaline from the fight slowly leaves her system. His eyes keep returning to the ugly purpling bruise at her neck and the broken blood vessels in her eyes. They serve as a stark reminder that he had almost been too late.

“Is there a reason we need to go outside to talk?” she asks as she moves to follow him from Liam’s room. He doesn’t reply as they take a meandering walk towards the flight field.

“Keep up.” he tells her casting at look at her over his shoulder.

Violet has the urge to stab him but knows that she is regretfully unarmed, “I was almost strangled less than half an hour ago.” she surely imagines the way he winces at her reminder. She definitely imagines him slowing half a step so that she can catch up. It isn’t until they are almost there that Violet realises where they are going. When they arrive, she is only slightly surprised to find three dragons waiting.

“What’s going on?” she directs her question at Tairn. He huffs out a warm breath and Xaden halts his approach eyeing the massive black dragon warily.

“There are a few things that you need to understand Silver One.” Tairn’s voice rumbles in her head she suppresses the shiver that wants to run down her spine.

Andarna is scampering forwards in the next moment, she reaches Violet’s side and noses at her ribs in concern, Violet reaches out and places a hand on her nose, “I’m fine, no broken bones.” she reassures her. Andarna presses her nose back against Violet’s hand for a second before drawing backwards.

“What the hell was that? How did she get out of there?” Xaden hadn’t seen the time stop but he’d seen the bruises on her neck and knew for sure she wouldn’t have escaped that hold without a little assistance, “What the hell kind of powers are you channelling to her?”

Violet feels Tairn’s indignation ripple through her and knows that his response is going to be biting before he grouches in her head, “None of your business what I choose or do not choose to channel to my rider.”

“He said-” Violet begins but Xaden cuts her off.

“I heard him.”

Her eyes blow wide, and she glances at Tairn before looking back at Xaden. The mating bond clearly works in other ways. Violet doesn’t have time to think on it as Xaden is speaking again, he’s asking what happened in the room.

Violet frowns, “Time stopped.” she manages to say, “Or they stopped. I don’t know. One second Oren was about to choke me to death and the next I could breathe, and I got the hell out of there.”

“What the hell does that mean?” he’s irritated looking from his dragon to hers and back to her again, “Is stopping time the signet you have manifested with Tairn?”

Violet shrugs, “I don’t know.”

“Nature likes all things in balance,” Andarna’s voice is soft, and it sounds like she is reciting something from a lesson, “That’s the first thing we are taught.” she pauses, and Violet turns to face her Xaden’s expression is still one of barely contained confusion teetering on the edge of anger. Violet repeats her words and his brow furrows.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he isn’t wrong, it sounds like a riddle that they are supposed to solve.

There is a rumbling which appears to be coming from both Sgaeyl and Tairn who turn to look at each other before looking down at the small golden dragon, “Okay, enough secrets you two. Spill!” Violet demands her eyes narrowing in frustration.

The soft female voice which then fills her head in new and Violet’s gaze meets Xaden’s as Sgaeyl speaks directly to her, “She will explain.”

Andarna preens slightly at the attention, she shuffles from paw to paw, “Feathertails shouldn’t bond because they can accidentally gift their powers to humans.” Xaden looks over to Violet in confusion as she relays the message, “Dragons can’t channel – not really – until we’re big, but we’re all born with something special.”

“Until you’re big...” Xaden repeats.

“She gave me her gift directly because she’s still a feathertail...” Violet trails off catching onto what Xaden had already focused on, “Still? What do you mean still? You’re a hatchling?”

There is a roaring in Xaden’s ears at the thought that a baby dragon had bonded, “She’s a what?” The silence that then hangs between them is thick with frustration; Xaden waits and waits and waits as they continue their conversation internally.

He reaches for the shimmering blue in his head, “Please tell me she isn’t a hatchling?”

He can feel the smile from Sgaeyl in response to his desperation, “She would say she isn’t but compared to me...” the blue dragon huffs out a breath, “Are you planning on telling your girl about your plans to abduct her? This would be the best time to fake a death.”

Xaden feels his heart clench painfully, “I had been focusing on keeping her alive. I hadn’t really thought about it but you are right. Ask Chradh to send Garrick here. Does your mate know about our plans? I would like to not be burnt to a crisp by him.”

“Don’t sound so surprised, I already asked, and your friend will be here in moments.” there is a pause before she addresses the second part of his request, “Tairn is aware, but he thinks that his rider can out last her mother. You may face some resistance from him.”

That thought alone leaves Xaden with ice trickling down his spine, Garrick draws level with him as Violet finishes her conversation with her dragons. She looks up at the two men and raises an eyebrow, “What am I missing here?” Her gaze switches between the two of them as she waits for a response, “Care to share? Or did you just come out here to stare at me?”

Garrick fights a smile for a second before nudging Xaden forwards, “You can explain it.”

Xaden sighs and glances at the ground for a moment before taking a step towards her, “We...we need you to come with us.” She frowns her brows pulling together in confusion, “You aren’t safe here and if what happened tonight is any indication even if your dragons can save you in small increments but that saving you could cost her, her life.” Violet is still staring at him with her eyebrows drawn together.

“I’ve never been safe here Riorson, where exactly would you be taking me that would be safe?” her tone is cold, she glances at Garrick for a moment who tries to offer her a sympathetic smile.

Xaden wonders for a second if the truth really will set him free of if it will only serve to hurt her more, “Violet, I need you to trust me.” he pulls in a shaky breath before continuing, “Your mother-”

“My mother?” she cuts him off and turns away lifting her hands to her hair, “She told you to protect me, did she? Told you that breakable little Violet would need your help to survive.” she scoffs and before he is able to correct her, she continues, “That explains everything. For fuck’s sake. Of course she did this. Why else would I still be fucking breathing. Lilith fucking Sorrengail strikes again.”

There is something unrecognisable shining in Xaden’s eyes, he could let her believe what she’s said. He could save her the heartache. But coddling her won’t help her, “Your mother,” he repeats slowly, “asked me to make your death look like an accident.”

The colour drains from her face, and she shakes her head at him in disbelief, “No.” she whispers as Xaden nods to Garrick, and he marches forward placing a hand on Xaden’s shoulder and then Violet’s and taking a step with them both. A roar echoes in their ears and Xaden knows that Tairn is pissed.

When the world stops spinning Xaden takes a deep breath, but Violet takes a little longer to recover. She stumbles forwards a few paces before emptying the contents of her stomach all over the grass.

She coughs before looking up, “What the fuck. Where are we?”

“That isn’t important right now.” Xaden tells her, he can already hear the sound of grass whipping against legs, and he knows that Violet is about to have her world rocked in an entirely different way, “Violence...I- I’m sorry.”

She narrows her eyes at him as the sound of approaching footsteps comes to an abrupt stop, she turns to look at the person who has joined them before taking an uneasy step backwards in shock, “You’re...you’re dead.” she whispers swallowing back the bile which threatens to spill from her lips once more.

Her brother stands before her looking just as she remembered, the shadows under his eyes are darker than she remembers and there is stubble on his chin but he’s the same. Brennan’s eyes are glued to the bruises she knows that sit around her throat, concern colours his expression. She shakes her head and takes another step away from the men, “What the fuck is going on?” her hands are shaking, and her voice is hoarse.

“I wasn’t lying to you Violet; your mother told me to kill you.” Xaden’s voice is softer than Violet is used to his kindness makes her skin crawl she doesn’t want kind. She wants real.

“He came and told me-”

“You don’t get to speak.” Violet cuts Brennan off her tone sharp as she refuses to look at him, “You will take me back to my dragons and you will do it now.” she demands of Garrick who has lowered himself to the ground and appears to be catching his breath.

He looks up at her, “Even if I wanted to I couldn’t right now. Bringing two people this far is exhausting. I need a moment.”

Violet begins pacing backwards and forwards through the grass as she considers her options. Brennan can’t help but feel his heart warm at the sight of his sister after all these years. Even if she isn’t exactly, please to see him.

“She wants me dead?” Xaden nods in response to her question.

“Or ‘disappeared’ she came to me before Threshing and wanted to know why you were still alive. If I’m honest she seemed a little shaken.” Xaden gives her a little more information hoping that the details will help her to trust him.

Violet looks at her brother, “Her wanting me dead is the most she’s been interested in my existence in years. After he died, I was little more than a ghost.”

The room is cold as Violet curls in on herself, she’s been in her bed for days, her hair is near enough matted to her head. No one has checked in on her since Lilith informed her that Brennan was dead. The numbness which echoed though her bones was enough to end her here and now. There was no point in getting up. There was nothing left for her outside of this bed.

Violet’s tears had already run dry, there was no use in wasting any more of her tears on something that was over now. Her body aches in a way that tells her she should probably move. Her muscles stretch and pull as she reaches for the edge of her covers. She has to get up, she has to eat, she has to get clean and find a way to carry on.

She is stepping from the shower when her mother passed by. There is barely an acknowledgment from Lilith. Her eyes scour her daughter’s soul for a second before she continues walking and closes the door to her office behind her with a click.

Isolation burns and Violet feels it behind her eyes and at the back of her throat. Violet wonders how different it would have been if she had been the one to die instead of Brennan. She is certain the heavy sadness which lingers in this place would be gone and left in its place would be an empty sense of relief.

There is sadness written all over Brennan’s face, he had been sure that Violet’s life after his ‘death’ wouldn’t have been any easier but to hear her say it guts him in a way that he wasn’t prepared for.

“I can’t just disappear Xaden, and no matter how much you want to protect me, you can’t because you’re dead.” she glares at Brennan, “You have to graduate. I only just bonded my dragons, if I ‘die’ and you don’t people are going to ask questions Xaden.” before Threshing the plan to fake Violet’s death had been the best option they had, but she was right. Their lives were now tethered in more ways than one. Lilith would know that Xaden couldn’t follow through with her request but that would mean she would send others.

“You are right,” there is a smug look that crosses her face that pulls on Xaden’s heart for a fraction of a second, “but I can’t just leave you to the people who are definitely going to come after you.” he pauses before adding, “Not least of all because it’ll kill me too.” there is a bitter annoyance in his last sentence which causes Violet’s nose to wrinkle.

“So, we have to go back.” There is a grimace on Garrick’s face but it is a resigned one. He at least seems to see that she is right about her assessment of their current situation. “I refuse,” she pauses and glares in her brother’s direction, “to be a coward.”

#fourth wing fanfic #violet sorrengail #the empyrean fanfic #fourth wing #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 4 months ago

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Chapter 9: Flying or falling

Xaden’s eyes blow wide, “The whole truth? Venin her brother? All of that?”

Liam shrugs trying to look noncommittal, “If that’s what it takes? Yeah.” The room erupts as everyone else expresses their discomfort with his suggestion.

“That’s a death sentence.”

“No way.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind?”

Liam lifts his hands in surrender, “I’m just saying she’s incredibly intelligent and honestly, I think she could help us. I wouldn’t dream of telling her anything without your express permission. You asked me to keep her safe, that meant following her and getting to know her.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/168403249

Chapter 9: Flying or falling

It was starting to feel like a recurring habit now for Xaden to be pacing his bedroom anxiously. Garrick watches as he moves backwards and forwards across the rug on the floor.

“You going to make a hole in that thing.” Garrick quips unable to hide the smirk on his face. Xaden’s expression is murderous as he turns to look at his friend. He stares for a beat before continuing to pace.

Before long, Bodhi, Liam and Imogen have joined them, and they all watch as Xaden marches back and forth across the rug. Imogen is the one who eventually dares to break the uncomfortable silence, “So when are we going to address the elephant in the room?” she asks her green eyes flashing in challenge towards Xaden.

Garrick pulls in a breath and holds it as he watches his oldest friend, “You mean Tairn.”

Imogen lifted an eyebrow at him, “Yes, I mean the fact that the mate of your dragon decided to bond with the woman that you have been told to kill. How are you going to explain her apparent ‘death’ with you still being alive?” They all see Xaden visibly flinch as she verbalises the problem that they all knew he was waging an internal war with inside his head.

“Any ideas?” there is a panicked quality to the question that he asks his dragon, she has been listening in the blue shimmering that sits somewhere in his mind shifts slightly and he can tell she’s thinking.

“Take her home?” he feels confused for a second before shaking his head.

“I can’t just abduct her.” not to mention what would her brother say if she just showed up.

“Her mother said she could just ‘disappear’ maybe that’s what needs to happen.” Sgaeyl’s voice is smooth. Xaden wonders if she really believes that it could be that easy. There is no way that they will be allowed to leave.

Xaden realises he’s been staring at Imogen the entire time he’s been having the conversation in his head and that he probably looks a little crazy, “General Sorrengail came to see me before Threshing.” there is a gasp from one of his friends, “I thought she was going to call me out for not killing her daughter and that is how the conversation began...but then something changed, I don’t know why she asked me to kill her but I think someone else told her to.”

Garrick’s eyes narrow, “So what does this mean for us?”

“She said gone is as good as dead. We could make it look like she ran away? I need to go and speak to Brennan tonight.” he glances at Garrick who sighs before nodding, “I know we don’t like to think of Lilith as anything but the monster who oversaw the executions of our parents but there was something off with her today when she came to see me.”

“She was definitely arguing with Melgren when Violet announced that she’d bonded two dragons.” Liam pipes up, he has a small knife in his hands, and he has been nervously spreading woodchips over Xaden’s bed and floor.

“Why do we care again if they’re pissed at each other?” Imogen asks, her green eyes flash and she pulls a disgusted face.

Xaden sighs, “Because originally, she told me if I didn’t make her daughter’s death look like an accident the lives of the marked ones would be in danger. I am beginning to wonder whether anyone else was even aware of her ‘favour’.”

“So, what was her motive? Self-preservation? Is it just because she’s an absolute fucking monster?” Imogen’s rage slips slightly, and she pulls in a deep breath in order to get herself under control.

Liam brushes the woodchips off his lap and looks up at his foster brother, “She won’t agree to leave. She’s more stubborn than even you are Xaden. If you want her to leave Basgiath you need her to agree to it.” He has picked up on a few things since Xaden asked him to shadow her, “She’s nothing like her mother, she’s strong and brave but also vulnerable and kind. I think the truth is the only way you’re going to get her on your side.”

Xaden’s eyes blow wide, “The whole truth? Venin her brother? All of that?”

Liam shrugs trying to look noncommittal, “If that’s what it takes? Yeah.” The room erupts as everyone else expresses their discomfort with his suggestion.

“That’s a death sentence.”

“No way.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind?”

There is something unpleasant twisting in Xaden’s gut and he pushes the jealousy away, “I can’t in good conscience just bring her in like that. Brennan would kill me for one. Not to mention how the Assembly would react.” his eyes linger on his brother for a few seconds longer before he addresses Garrick, “The sooner we go the sooner we can be back.”

“You want to speak to Aisereigh tonight?”

Xaden’s response is a short sharp nod and Garrick sighs before taking his friend’s hand. Garrick rolls his eyes; it seems that the time for talking is over. Garrick closes his eyes then gets to his feet and takes a single step. The world around them blurs, Xaden’s heart lurches, he wonders briefly if Garrick deliberately made the journey particularly rough. His stomach is still rolling as the world comes back into sharp focus once more. Brennan’s footfalls are heard as his legs whip through the long grass, he had been waiting for them.

“Did she live?” Garrick and Xaden meet his eyes and there is something to be said for his wide-eyed brotherly panic. Xaden nods solemnly, “Did she bond?” the second question comes out in a rush.

“She did.” Xaden allows before slumping into the long grass, “You won’t be happy with who she bonded with.”

Brennan’s eyes narrow, “Xaden I don’t have time or patience for your cryptic bullshit. Tell me who-”

“Tairn.”

“Fuck off.”

“And Andarna”

His eyes are wider than either Garrick or Xaden have ever seen, “And...what do you mean and Andarna?” there is a beat, both men wait for Brennan to work it out on his own, “Two...two dragons? She bonded with two?” Both men nod, “I’ll get onto the Tairn issue in a second. Tell me more about Andarna.”

There is a pause as Garrick looks down at Xaden who has ripped up some of the grass around him, “She’s a feathertail. Never been seen before. Sgaeyl won’t tell me anything else, she’s been unusually quiet.”

“How exactly was any of this allowed to happen?” Brennan asks fear colouring his voice.

“The dragons overruled the people on this one. Melgren was furious about the whole thing.” Garrick supplies his teeth grit as his spits out Melgren’s name.

“How did my- Lilith react?” Brennan’s eyes drift back to Xaden who is still pulling up grass.

“She came to see me before Threshing.” Xaden pulls a face considering the grass in his hand, “Something was weird with her, like she was sad or something. Not really an emotion I think she’s used to feeling.” Brennan flinches slightly at the thought that his mother is a heartless monster, “She wanted to know why Violet was still alive but more than that she was saying something about her being gone was as good as dead.”

Brennan’s Adam's apple bobs as he swallows, “Did she give you any clue as to why she even wanted Violet dead in the first place?” Xaden shakes his head before bushing the grass from his hands and standing, “So what now? Tairn is bonded to her, which means your life is tied to hers.” Garrick makes a strangled noise; Brennan is the first one to actually say it out loud. They’d all been thinking it of course; they knew that the mating bond between two dragons was strong. They also knew that Tairn had almost died when his last rider died. Brennan’s expression suddenly becomes closed off, thoughts of Naolin made his heart clench painfully. It has been a long time since he thought about the man who sacrificed everything for him.

“If I bring her here, what do we do?” Xaden asks hesitantly, he can tell by the look on Brennan’s face that he is lost in his own grief.

There is a pause as it takes a moment for his words to filter into Brennan’s brain, “What do you mean bring her here? Why would you do that?” he stares in confusion.

“Your mother made it quite clear that she isn’t safe in the riders' quadrant. Now that she’s bonded to Tairn the target on her back is going to be much larger. If we don’t get her out, she’ll be dead by the end of the month.” Xaden’s voice is firm but not unkind.

This time Brennan is silent for an entirely different reason, his brows knit together, “She’s tougher than you give her credit for Xaden.”

“I know that she’s tough-” Xaden may not have seen her take on three cadets bigger than her, but he saw the damage they did to her and saw that she was still standing after it.

“You don’t understand half of what she’s been through.” Brennan snaps with what appears to be guilt written all over his face.

Xaden frowns before replying, “Maybe you should enlighten me.”

Being ignored was one thing, Violet was used to being treated like a second-class citizen in her own home. She’s used to be told that she can’t do things. Climbing trees was one thing but when her daily activities were eventually limited to reading and only reading indoors Violet knew that before long, she would certainly be going stir crazy. Brennan and Mira try to bring her stories from the outside world and Dain comes to see her most evenings, but it isn’t enough, it is never enough.

There is an ache burrowing its way into her chest, a feeling of loneliness which cannot be soothed by their words or actions. It feels like the only thing that could make her feel more human would be the acknowledgment of a parent. It is the only thing that she truly craves.

“Dad?” her voice carries into the room which is being used as Asher’s study. He looks up at her from what he is reading, his eyes take in her appearance for a fraction of a second before returning to his reading, he wrinkles his nose and turns a page.

He replies in a absent tone, “Whatever it is, go ask your mother.” the dismissal is absolute, and Violet feels tears prick in the corners of her eyes. She knows without even asking that her mother wouldn’t be interested in her most recent discovery. She heaves in a deep breath before pushing herself away from the doorframe. The urge to leave, escape, get as far away as she possibly can overwhelms her in that moment. She runs. Her limbs pop and click in complaint at the sudden movement. She pushes against the front door and keeps running. Her lungs burn and her knees creak ominously, but she doesn’t stop. She can’t stop.

She isn’t sure for how long she runs, tears blurring her vision so that she doesn’t see a rock directly in her path. Her toe catches it and she goes flying, her hands shoot out to catch herself but scrape painfully against the ground her knee smacks into the floor and she’s sure a tendon has torn as pain rips through her.

“AH. Ow.” she gasps in pain, blood on her palms is smeared onto her trousers as she holds onto her knee.

It is like this that Brennan and Mira find her hours later, their voices call out for her in anxious urgency. Violet knows without even asking that neither of her parents had bothered to come. She wondered if they had even noticed that she was missing before one of her siblings mentioned it. Brennan is twenty and a year away from the riders’ quadrant. He finds her first and calls Mira to him.

The blood on her hands has already dried, Mira pulls her sister’s hands towards her and frowns looking at how the mud and dirt has dried into the cuts, “I’ll need to wash these, and they’ll probably start bleeding again.”

“Whatever.” is Violet’s stoic reply, her eyes are glazed over, and she seems to have completely shut her emotions off.

“Vi,” Brennan’s palm cups his sister’s cheek, “what happened.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Violet’s muttered reply tells both of her siblings everything they needed to know. Their 12-year-old sister has been being ignored by their parents for years. Brennan and Mira had always tried to make up for it by giving her their attention, but their love didn’t make up for their parent’s disinterest.

“Vi-”

“I said it doesn’t matter.” there is a steel edge to her tone that makes both of her siblings back off. She pushes herself up and begins hobbling towards their shared quarters. Mira positions herself at Violet’s elbow, ready to offer support if she needs it but neither of them say another word.

“Neglect is just as bad as any physical abuse.” Brennan sighs, “It wasn’t really until that day that I fully saw the impact that our parents’ were having on her. I mean I’d understood before that they treated her differently but something about the way she pushed me away always stuck with me. She’s had 6 years without me and five years without Mira around all the time. I don’t imagine after dad’s death that Lilith became suddenly warm and fuzzy.”

Garrick and Xaden look contemplative and sad, neither offers a comment. They have of course both suffered their own heart ache at the hands of his mother. Even hearing a small snippet of what was surely daily neglect caused both men to reflect on what they already knew about Violet.

“Okay so she’s got the mental fortitude. How exactly do you think she can help?” Xaden’s question is cautious.

“I’ve already told you; her mind is the sharpest of anyone I have ever met. If anyone can work out how we can actually defeat the venin it is Violet.” Brennan stresses his point with a glare.

“So, you’d be happy to bring her in?” Xaden remembers that earlier that evening Liam has suggested the very same thing.

Brennan’s face is pinched into a grimace, “Happy wouldn’t be the word I would use. But we don’t have a choice.” there is a pause, and Brennan has a faraway look in his eyes. He is remembering the pain of his 12-year-old sister, dwelling on it now will do little to help the pain of his 20-year-old sister now. “Bring her here. She can make her own decisions.”

“And if she decides to punch you in the face for pretending to be dead for 6 years?” Garrick’s question is met with a snort from Xaden.

Brennan’s expression softens, “I’d probably deserve it.” Both men shrug but don’t deny it, “You should head back, bring her to me by the end of the week. Try to get her to agree to it but if not...” he pauses and glances over at Garrick who gives a reluctant nod.

Garrick offers Xaden his hand, Xaden takes a second to brace himself before reaching out and holding onto his friend’s hand. The world blurs and shifts and tilts on its axis as they take one giant step together and return to Xaden’s bedroom. The others have cleared out and Xaden stands in silence for a moment the mage light on his desk flickering.

"You can’t carry everything all of the time Xaden.” Garrick reminds him and watches as his friend’s shoulders slump in defeat. Xaden kicks off his boots and throws himself into his bed with a heavy sigh.

“My father’s rebellion, my responsibility.” he stresses as he covers his eyes with his forearm.

Garrick’s face pulls into a sympathetic look, Xaden doesn’t see, “You can lean on me sometimes too.” he reaches out for Xaden’s foot gives it a shake and huffs out a breath before leaving the room.

The morning after threshing Violet wakes in her new dorm feeling both achy and refreshed. The beds were undeniably more comfortable, but the effects of the previous day lingered deep beneath her skin. Nolan had come to mend her arm, but she had been left with a large pink scar in either side of her forearm where the blade had gone straight through. Her joints click and pop as she stretches her arms up above her head and her vision swims as she sits herself up. Today she has her first flying lesson, and she is sure that she is going to fall again.

“Then I suppose I will just have to catch you Silver One.” Violet jumps as a gruff voice fills her head.

“Can you hear my every thought?” there is indignation in her tone as she bristles slightly at the idea that he and Andarna can hear everything.

“If you will think it so loudly.” there is a smugness to his tone that causes Violet to take a deep steadying breath.

Violet dresses and brushes her hair before braiding it into her usual crown on top of her head as she steps from her room, she sees Sawyer in the corridor looking sheepish as Rhiannon’s bedroom door slowly closes. Violet smiles and lifts her hand to wave, “No judgement here. However, you chose to celebrate last night is on you.”

He blushes scarlet as he scampers away. Sawyer has managed to disappear as Rhiannon’s door reopens, “Good morning Vi.” she yawns.

“And a good morning to you too.” she wiggles her eyebrows and Rhiannon smiles in response.

“I will not apologise for how I celebrated being alive and bonded to a dragon last night.” Rhiannon grins, “Speaking of celebrating, I didn’t hear anything from you last night? I did however see the way you dismissed both the squad leader and the wingleader. They looked like kicked puppies.”

Violet rolls her eyes, “I’m sure neither of them looked they hurt by me sending the away.” she scoffs, “Anyway, let’s go get some breakfast, I’m going to need all of my energy if I’m going to spend my day falling off Tairn.”

Rhiannon laughs but doesn’t bother trying to correct her. After breakfast the squad heads out towards the flight field. There is a biting wind uncommon for the beginning of October. Violet is sure she is going to freeze on Tairn’s back.

“Have you considered more layers, Silver One?” Tairn’s gruff voice filters into her head. The riders all split up and stand beside their dragons.

Violet marvels at the size of Tairn once again as she stands beside him, “Did you grow overnight?” a huffed breath of warm air from Tairn is definitely a warning. Violet keeps her mouth shout both internally and externally.

Professor Kaori begins to explain the manoeuvres that they are going to attempt today. Violet feels the colour drain from her face as she pictures attempting any of them. Once Kaori has finished his explanation, he instructs everyone to mount up.

Violet swallows as she glances up at Tairn’s leg, even with her newly mended ankle she’s going to struggle. The last section of the Gauntlet is designed to prepare riders for mounting their dragons. Violet only managed to complete the last section by sticking a dagger into the wall.

“You will not be sticking a dagger into my leg Silver One.” Tairn tells her as he lowers himself, his leg now resembles as ramp and Violet doesn’t hesitate as she runs up and positions herself in the seat. Her thighs pull and stretch over Tairn’s back, the ache is pronounced now, and Violet has to take a breath as she pushes the pain into a box inside her head.

Kaori orders them again as his dragon takes flight.

“Hold tight.” Is the only warning Tairn gives before following him into the sky. Violet feels herself slipping, she clenches her thighs, but it isn’t enough to keep her still. As she begins to slide backwards, she feels invisible bands wrap around her thighs holding her in place. Violet is sure without asking that Tairn is holding her down.

“How will I ever learn to stay on your back if you hold me here?”

“It is the first day Silver One. Let’s get some of the basics done before you worry about that.” Tairn’s reply is dismissive.

Violet huffs, “Being able to keep my seat is the most basic.” Tairn snorts and the bands fall away, as they do so be banks to the left and Violet feels her stomach drop out of her as despite her trying to grip onto Tairn with all of her strength she still slips.

“Oh shit.” she’s falling, cold air whipping against her face, the hair that has escaped the coronet braid flies around her face. She is in freefall for a few seconds before Tairn catches her. He shifts and places her back on his back.

“Are you going to continue to be stubborn Silver One?” Violet doesn’t need to reply, he already knows the answer, he releases the bands from around her thighs and he lets her fall again, and again, and again.

He catches her every single time.

#fourth wing fanfic #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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caroline-writes · 4 months ago

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Chapter 8: Shimmering Gold

“Repeat that again, say it to me like I’m five years old.” Xaden’s heart is hammering angrily against his ribcage.

“You heard me and I know you know what this means.” Sgaeyl’s reply is clear and without judgement.

“Please.”

“My mate, has bonded with the Sorrengail girl.” of course he knows what this means and once General Sorrengail finds out she will know what it means as well. There is absolutely no way that he can kill her now. “If she dies, so do you.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/167807011

Chapter 8: Shimmering Gold

Hours have passed; Violet has been marching through the valley and has come across several dragons none of them hers. None of them fit and none of them even really seem to notice her.

Her lungs burn in a way that certainly doesn’t feel healthy. Violet’s body needs a rest; she needs to sit or lie down but she also knows that doing that is a death sentence. Voices drift over to her, and she shudders, Jack Barlowe along with Oren and Tynan. Their voices carry through the trees and Violet freezes as she realises what they are discussing.

“I’m telling you; it was definitely this way.” Tynan’s voice is confident.

“It’s so small, it would be a kindness to put it down.” Jack’s voice carries and Violet’s heart skips. The feathertail, they’re discussing the small golden dragon.

“You’re sure it was this way?” Oren’s deep voice asks as he uses a sword to hack and cut at the long grass which is mid-thigh on Violet and probably up to the knees on almost everyone else.

Violet knows what she has to do and sets off in a sprint. The long grass whips against her legs as she runs towards the clearing that the three men are heading towards. The sight of shimmering gold scales glinting in the sun causes her step to faulter. Her ankle twists and she lurches forwards, both arms out to catch herself skid along the ground cutting up her palms. Violet looks down at her ankle, it is already turning a nasty shade of blue and she is sure it is either broken or badly sprained. She doesn’t have time to worry about it, the voices are approaching and she needs to get the feathertail to leave.

Violet pushes the pain away and packs it neatly into a box inside her head, she grits her teeth and forces herself to stand. The eyes of the golden dragon are already on her, “Hey,” she greets as she hobbles forward, “you need to get out of here.”

Its head tilts to one side. There is intelligence behind the eyes but a playfulness that Violet recognised when she first saw this magnificent creature.

“You’re in danger.” she stresses trying to wave at it and make it fly away. The feathertail takes a step towards Violet with an inquisitive look on its face. The dragon steps towards her the feathered tail swishing behind it.

“We’ll make it painless.”

Violet is sure that Jack will not be following through with that particular promise. She wonders how exactly he would painlessly kill this beautiful thing. The footsteps of the trio come to an abrupt halt and Violet can practically hear the cruel grin on Jack’s stupid face, “Oh this is excellent. Two birds with one knife. I always knew I’d get to kill you Sorrengail.”

Fuck.

Violet shuffles her body until she is able to put herself between the three men and the feathertail. Her right-hand twitches as she moves towards one of her knives ready to throw it at a moment’s notice. “Not happening.” her voice sounds a lot more certain than she feels.

Jack laughs, a venomous sound which makes her blood run cold, “You and that thing have a lot in common you know. Neither should be here. Both of you are going to get someone killed because you are so weak.” Oren begins to move around her to get a better angle.

She pivots pulling out a knife, “Stay back. I won’t let you do this.” she hisses through her teeth as she palms a second knife.

Jack’s grin is feral as he ducks his head ready to charge at her, Violet’s aim is true and it strikes his arm right in the joint where it meets his shoulder. There is a roar of pain from him as his hand reaches up to protect the shoulder.

“You bitch! She’s ruined my arm!” He roars again. Blood seeps from between his fingers and while he has stopped, Tynan and Oren are barrelling towards her. “Kill her!” Jack’s voice echoes through the clearing as he takes a step back and then another before turning and running away. There is a feeling of victory which courses through her for a moment before she remembers there are two more of them. Violet lifts her elbow and clocks Oren in the chin, she feels his teeth vibrate in his skull and braces herself for the impact of Tynan. His body is smaller than the other two and for that she is grateful. He knocks her to the ground. Her head smacks against the dirt and a pain unlike anything she has ever felt before erupts in her forearm. She moves it and sees that Tynan has managed to shove his knife through the bones in her arm.

Blood and pain are all she knows in that moment.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

She lashes out in the next second and is satisfied by the noise of pain that Tynan makes. She knows that her dagger has struck true and is now embedded in his side. She yanks it out and he cries again as blood pours from the wound. He pushes her away and staggers to his feet, Oren is beginning to stir.

“Your arm is fucked; you don’t stand a chance Sorrengail.”

Violet grits her teeth, he isn’t wrong, her arm is fucked as is her ankle but she has something he doesn’t, “I am used to living in pain, are you?” she bites back her good hand gripping the dagger which is dripping with his blood.

Tynan lunges forwards and Violet manages to take a step back and avoid him. A shadow passes over them both Tynan’s step stutters and he looks up, and up and up. Violet’s heart sinks to somewhere in her stomach and for a second she is sure that she’s about to be either turned into ashes or eaten.

There is a strong gust of air as Tynan’s gaze is still glued to the dragon that has almost certainly landed behind her. She isn’t stupid enough to look. Oren is still trying regain his bearings and Tynan has two hands on a sword.

“Stand aside Silver One.” The voice echoes in her head both gruff and impossibly smooth. Tynan has retreated a step and in that moment Violet dares to look up, behind her stands an impossibly large black dragon, his golden eyes are watching her with a patience that speaks volumes of his age. Violet remembers that Kaori had told them about him and Jack had announced that he would claim him. “I said, stand aside Silver One.” the voice in her head repeats again.

Am I silver one? She wonders for a second before the dragon before her chuffs in annoyance.

“Yes, you are. Now move.” Violet doesn’t have time to wonder why she’s hearing this dragon’s voice inside her head. She knows better than to disobey a direct order from a dragon and as ungracefully as possible she ducks and moves herself away from Tynan. She is barely out of the way when a blast of heat warms her, there is a second where Violet is sure she hears a scream but then all she can hear is the sound of flames licking bone and of grass burning.

The smell is unlike anything Violet has ever experienced she has to stop herself from gagging.

“You should end the enemy at your feet.” The voice once again invades her mind. She looks down at Oren, she knows she has every right to end his life. She has every reason to want him dead but she can’t bring herself to do it. A sick feeling spreads from where her heart has settled deep in her stomach, she is sure she will regret leaving him alive but she is also sure that she cannot end his life.

“I can’t.” she tells him looking up into his massive golden eye.

There is another disgruntled huff and warm air hits her, “He would happily end your life Silver One.” there is a pause, “You’re bleeding, stop it.”

Violet wonders which injury he is referring to, she tears her shirt and wraps it around the open wound which has been pouring blood down her arm. “Better?” she asks as she ties it off.

“Let’s go Violet Sorrengail.” She can feel him roll his eyes in her head as she startles when he uses her name, “Now you climb on Silver One.”

Realisation slams into her like a ten-tonne boulder, he’s choosing her, he’s bonding with her. She looks up at him and is certain that there is no way she will be able to climb on at all. Even without her broken ankle there is very little chance that she’ll be able to make it up.

“I uh...I might need help.” she comments and once again she feels him roll his eyes inside her head as he lowers himself to the ground. She grunts and groans as she clambers up his leg until she finds herself in the seat on his back.

The golden feathertail makes a strange chirping noise before crouching low and pushing herself up and into the air. Violet huffs in annoyance as she sees that the dragon is able to fly. It could have saved itself at any time.

Violet doesn’t have time to linger on that thought as her stomach swoops violently as air rips past them as the giant dragon launches into the sky. She wobbles and tries to grip her knees tighter to hold onto him. He’s building height and she’s sure she’s going to fall, she slips backwards over a few ridges of his back and a scream rips from her throat as she begins to tumble towards the ground.

“Repeat that again, say it to me like I’m five years old.” Xaden’s heart is hammering angrily against his ribcage.

“You heard me and I know you know what this means.” Sgaeyl’s reply is clear and without judgement.

“Please.”

He gasps as she says the words into the dark space inside his head, “What made him want to bond with her? What did she do?”

“You are more than welcome to ask him that yourself, but I am sure that he won’t be happy about it.” her tone is light and teasing, Xaden is sure she would enjoy seeing him actually questioning Tairn. “She defended the feathertail from three attackers.”

His eyes blow wide, he knew she was reckless and brave and a million other things but this really did top it off. “I guess we should go see for ourselves.”

“You don’t need to ask me twice.” Sgaeyl lands before him a moment later and Xaden runs up her front left leg and a second later, they are heading into the sky.

As they land pandemonium is happening, he hears someone’s voice, “Both dragons?!” and sees both the horror and they outrage on all of those in command.

Sgaeyl chuckles in his head, “Did he say both?”

“He did. It seems Andarna has decided to also bond with your girl.”

“She isn’t my girl.” he repeats again.

“Tell that to the way your heart beats faster whenever you see her.” she’s laughing now and Xaden is sure his cheeks are flushed with embarrassment.

He slides down her front leg and tries to look nonchalant as he meanders towards Violet. Sgaeyl has moved over to her mate, and he is sure they are having an in-depth conversation but her shields are locked tight so there is no way he is going to know what exactly they are saying.

“You causing trouble again Sorrengail?” Xaden’s eyes fall on her arm, blood is continuing to drip from her fingertips, and he doesn’t like the way his heart lurches at the idea that she is in pain.

Xaden then looks up at the dais, he can see General Sorrengail having an animated discussion with General Melgren. Neither of them looks happy, Xaden wonders if Melgren is part of the reason why he was asked to end Violet’s life.

A voice then rings out as Melgren brings his conversation with Lilith to an abrupt close, “Cadet Sorrengail must choose.” there is a cracking sound from behind and Xaden’s eyes zero in on the stones beneath Tairn’s taloned feet. He has curled them in an act of definite aggression.

“I don’t know who this human thinks he is, but he will soon learn that Tairn takes orders from no one.” Sgaeyl preens with pride at the strength of her mate.

Violet hasn’t acknowledged Xaden, she flinches once and then they all do as Tairn screeches loudly into the air, “I don’t imagine I have to translate that.” Violet quips and Xaden feels something that he is desperate to ignore flutter in his stomach.

Melgren’s expression is thunderous, he splutters and chews on his lip in frustration and anger, “Surely something can be done?” he mutters just loud enough for Xaden to hear.

“Nothing he has any say over. The Empyrean will be the ones to decide. He may not be best pleased but if they say this is happening. It will happen.” Sgaeyl sounds amused for a second before she launches into the sky, several other dragons follow suit.

More commotion to the left as an orange scorpiontail lands and a haggard looking Jack Barlowe slides down her leg and stumbles to his feet. He catches sight of Violet fairly quickly and marches towards her. Xaden is quicker, “Nasty looking injury you’ve got there Barlowe.” He doesn’t need the confirmation to know that one of Violet’s daggers are the cause. He has seen her throw them enough times now to know that she is precise with them when she needs to be.

Barlowe doesn’t reply, “Hiding behind the wingleader are we?” he asks his words spat out bitterly.

Violet sidesteps Xaden with a satisfied smile on her face, “Why would I do that? You’re the one who ran from me.”

Xaden’s heart leaps and definitely does a front flip, she had made him run away, this woman was surpassing his every expectation, “I don’t need to ask how you were injured. I know Sorrengail’s work when I see it.”

Jack Barlowe’s eyes shoot upwards, he has realised now that behind Violet and looking about ready to torch Jack, stands a very large and rather angry black dragon. “No way.” he mutters look up his breath stolen by the shock.

Tairn roars for good measure before he and the feathertail launch into the sky. All eyes follow their ascent before returning to Violet who is starting to feel the pain of her injuries. She sways slightly but a hand reaches out and steadies her. It holds on for just the right amount of time before releasing her. Violet looks up and her eyes meet Xaden’s, “You should get to a healer while we wait.” he tells her nodding over to the medical tents which have been put up.

Her eyes are sluggish as they look over to where he has nodded too, she isn’t sure that her legs will be able to carry her over there. She takes a single unsteady step and the hand returns to her shoulder and she finds Xaden walking her across the courtyard over to the medical tent. “What are you doing?” she hisses in his direction.

She looks up and of course he has an infuriating smirk on his lips, “Making sure that you don’t collapse and bleed out in this courtyard in front of your mother.”

Violet makes a strangled noise that sounds like a choked laugh, “Would probably be the first and only time she took notice of me.” the bitterness in her tone stabs at Xaden. They reach the tent together and someone from the healer’s quadrant walks over. Their eyes flare wide as they take in Violet’s appearance.

Violet lets out a dark chuckle in response, “I guess that answers the question of ‘does it look bad?’” she sighs and lowers herself into a seat, she’s about to speak when Dain appears at the mouth of the tent, his eyes flare wide as he sees her and marches forward.

Shit.

“Is what Cath is telling me true?” he asks, and Violet feels a molten rage burn within her. She doesn’t even know what exactly Cath has told him, but he thinks he can demand information from her like he hasn’t been cold and distant since she arrived in the quadrant.

Violet offers him her best disinterested look, “Do I look like an inntinsic? What is Cath telling you?”

“You bonded two dragons.” Violet nods and the breath is stolen from Dain’s lungs, “And one of them is Tairn.”

“What’s it to you?” she asks in an accusatory tone.

Dain’s gaze is lingering on Xaden who has taken a step back in order to watch the show, “You haven’t told her, have you?”

“I was a little busy making sure she got patched up.” Xaden’s reply causes Dain to look at the shredded mess of Violet’s arm.

He reaches for her before remembering himself, “What happened?”

Violet shrugs again and Xaden has to fight a smirk, she is infuriating Dain with her nonchalance, “Tynan tried to kill me. I stopped him, Oren and Jack Barlowe from killing the feathertail- Andarna.”

The shock on Dain’s face grows tenfold and Violet feels pride grow in her chest like a warm flame being fanned by his shock, “How?”

She grits her teeth, “Sheer force of fucking will.” she bites out, before remembering that he was particularly upset that she had bonded Tairn, “Why is me bonding Tairn such a problem?”

Dain is green and Xaden isn’t sure whether it is envy or nausea which is causing it, “Tairn is bonded to Sgaeyl.”

Violet’s eyes are on Xaden in that second and he nods, “So...what does that mean?” her question is directed to Xaden, but it is Dain who replies.

“It means you are also bonded. A mated pair cannot be separated. Wherever Xaden and Sgaeyl end up stationed you will also have to go.” there is a bitterness in his tone.

“The unbonded are going to try and kill you to get Tairn to bond with them.” There is disinterest in Xaden’s tone, but Violet can see through it, “Unfortunately, if you die. I die.” Violet feels as if someone has removed the floor from beneath her feet as her stomach swoops in response to his words.

Dain looks about ready to implode but Violet glances at him once more and says, “I don’t need a babysitter. Especially one who has been doing their best to distance themself from me for months.” she dismisses him and turns towards a healer. There is a look of pain on Dain’s face that Xaden does not miss, despite how he has been treating Violet there is anguish there, an ache that he is struggling to hide. Violet misses it and Xaden wonders if Dain has been told to act this way. He doesn’t give it more than a second’s thought before he takes a step closer to her, she barely glances in his direction, “You don’t need to stay either wingleader. I’ll be fine.”

Xaden refuses to examine why the dismissal makes him feel two inches tall, he simply quirks and eyebrow before marching away from her as quickly as he can. He finds Garrick quickly as he is looking over the roll to see how many cadets successfully bonded.

“I won’t ask where you’ve been.”

“I was-”

“I know where you were Xaden. Half the quadrant saw you marching Sorrengail over to the med tent. Her mother looked furious.” There is warning in Garrick’s tone, “I really hope you know what you’re doing.”

Xaden has the urge to reassure him that he ‘always knows what he’s doing’ but there’s something about Violet Sorrengail that makes him throw caution to the wind and lose all sense of what he should be doing for the greater good. By the time Violet has been patched up and is hobbling towards her squad great shadows are approaching signifying the return of the dragons.

“Time to see if she can keep her dragons I guess.” Garrick comments before he too joins the formation.

Melgren’s huge black dragon lands behind the dais, he is intimidating, and it takes everything Violet has to not cower away from him. Codagh’s golden eyes burn into her, but even with just that look she knows what the decision has been. The confirmation comes as she hears Tairn and Andarna inside her head.

“Astute as ever Silver One.” Tairn sounds almost impressed, “The Empyrean have decided that you may keep us both.”

“I don’t see why they would have taken one of us away. Humans don’t get to choose. You belong to us Violet Sorrengail.” The softer sweeter voice of Andarna sings in her head.

Violet feels a warmth rush through her, it feels like love, that realisation causes a sudden pain in her chest. She hasn’t felt this since her brother died and even before the moments of love she did remember from him felt like she had stolen them. They never really felt like they belonged to her. Each moment of love felt like it wasn’t hers to keep. But now she had something that did belong to her. A love, all her own.

#fourth wing fanfic #fourth wing #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #fanfiction

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caroline-writes · 4 months ago

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Chapter 7: Valley of death

The right way, isn’t the only way. She lets the words breathe into her. A second passes then another and she is ready. She reaches across the chimney and pulls the rope across; 30 seconds is nothing if it means she can live. Her upper body strength is nothing to write home about but she knows that her sheer will can get her up to the top of this. She braces her legs and leaps holding onto the rope, she walks herself up the chimney step by careful step, she’s sure there will be blisters marring her skin but she keeps telling herself that it will be worth it but she has to actually survive the ascent first.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/167166976

Chapter 7: Valley of death

Xaden runs his thumb and finger together the memory of the feeling of her skin lingering still. He climbs the stairs two at a time before reaching his bedroom. He is only slightly surprised to find that his room isn’t empty. Garrick is waiting on Xaden’s bed; his shoes are on the floor and he is reclining back against the headboard.

“You here for a sleepover? We aren’t eight anymore you know.” Xaden’s voice is tired and he notices the slight turn up of Garrick’s lips but the smile doesn’t meet his eyes, “What is it?”

Garrick swings his legs down from the bed and sits up, “She was in the courtyard, wasn’t she?”

Xaden feigns stupidity, “Who?”

“You know who, small, brown and silver hair, her mother is responsible for our parents’ deaths and wants you to kill her?” of course he knew who he was talking about, he didn’t need the reminder.

Xaden’s expression closes off as he mutters, “Oh her. Yeah, she was.”

Garrick let the sentence hang between them for a moment, he watches his best friend before he says his piece, “Xaden I’m not going to lecture you. I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t feel gods know that I have no place when it comes to that sort of thing...but I need you to be careful.”

Xaden frowns, “I don’t...I’m not.” he sighs, he knows better than to try to lie to Garrick, they’ve known each other for their entire lives, “I can’t explain it.”

Garrick nods, “I just need you to remember that there are 107 people who are counting on you. Whatever feelings you may have-”

“I don’t-”

“Whatever feelings you may have,” he repeats his eyes narrowing at his friend, “you need to remember how completely ruthless these people are. They want to hurt their own and will have no problem commending our souls to Malek and scattering the ashes of everything we ever owned to the winds.” He stops and locks his eyes with his best friend, “I trust you completely Xaden, I can just see you getting attached and that is dangerous, for you, for me and for every single other marked one out there. As soon as we decide to get Quinn to fake Violet’s death, we need to get her gone.”

Xaden nods slowly, he can’t name whatever this attachment is, he knows that Garrick is right but he can’t help but feel guilty that it has come to this, Garrick felt the need to call him out to make sure he had his head in the game and wouldn’t get them all killed.

The right way isn’t the only way. The right way isn’t the only way. The right way isn’t the only way. His words echo round and round inside her head. They plague her dreams and follow her all the way until the day of the Gauntlet arrives. The squad looks up at it from the bottom all exuding some level of nervous energy. Violet is definitely the one who suffering the most. She looks to her left at Liam whose presence in the squad has been an interesting if quiet addition. He hasn’t spoken much but has been efficient and helpful when completing work and when scaling the Gauntlet.

“You aiming for the record?” Violet asks without turning to him.

She feels his eyes on her face for a second before he turns back to the assault course before them, “I’m aiming to live.” he pauses before shrugging, “But the record would be nice.”

Violet huffs out a laugh nodding, “I have to make it.”

“You will.” the conviction with which he says it shocks her but she doesn’t allow her features to change.

Violet nods slowly, she doesn’t have a choice at this point. She has to get to the top, somehow, or she’s done for. Her stomach clenches painfully remembering the horrified look in Aurelie’s eyes as she began to fall, she is sure that image will stay with her forever. She steadies her breathing and manages to watch her friends as they make their way up the Gauntlet. Each one of them making it up safely.

She has a plan, she has a way that has to work. Before she knows it she is standing at the base readying herself to make the ascent. No part of her feels ready but she knows she doesn’t have time now to prepare herself any more than she already is.

Each obstacle is as difficult as if she is tackling them for the first time. Her muscles ache in a way that tells her one wrong move and she’s going to tear something. Each joint protests the movements but still she forges ahead. She is sure she can feel the eyes of all of those still on the ground and all those who has completed the climb already. She wonders what percentage of them wishes she would fall.

She steels her and grits her teeth pushing that thought away. She has to make it. She tries not to think about Aurelie’s face as she dashes over the part which claimed her life and before long she is standing at the bottom of the chimney. She glances up and huffs out a breath. Her arms and legs even at full stretch aren’t long enough for her to touch both sides.

Each meter she makes it further up feels like a kilometre. Her arms ache and her shoulders pull and Violet is sure she’s going to dislocate a shoulder but before long, or after an eternity, maybe somewhere in between she can see the gravel path once more. It’ll take another leap and she isn’t sure she has it in her. Teeth gritted and shoulders braced she tenses her muscles before throwing herself forwards. She’s never made it to this part of the course before, she could see it from the bottom but that is very different to standing beneath it as she currently is. 10ft straight up. No rope. No help.

Fuck.

There is space for a short run up but Violet is certain she won’t make it all the way. Time for her stupid plan, it’ll either work or get her thrown out. She blows out a breath and glances up. Now or never. A run up is the best option, she knows she’s fast and hopes that speed will help her get a good spring off the ground.

Violet removes a dagger from where it was sheathed at her ribs. It is go time. She runs timing it carefully before throwing herself up and at the final obstacle. As she does so she jabs her dagger into the wood of the wall and feels pride blossom in her chest as it sticks, there is no time for her to marvel at her plan potentially working. She needs to move with her momentum. She swings and pushes, the top is within reach if she can just get her foot high enough to use the dagger and push off. She swings and her toe grazes the edge of the dagger. Again. She repeats the move her arms screaming in protest, this time she finds purchase and pushes herself up. She dives forward landing with a grunt of pain with her chest half over the edge. She grins to herself as she pulls up before lying very still at the top of the Gauntlet panting and marvelling finally at her achievement.

This silence doesn’t last long, “She can’t do that!” a shrill angry voice cuts through her momentary reprieve.

Violet needs about a week to recover from her ascent, she is given less than a full minute. Voices are approaching along with stomping footsteps. Someone repeats, “She can’t do that!” the same shrill voice as before clearly unimpressed by her using her dagger to reach the top.

“Yeah, well she just did!” Ridoc’s voice is loud as he looms into Violet’s vision, “Need a hand?” he asks offering his hand to her, Violet’s eyes drift just over Ridoc’s shoulder, Xaden is standing there with his eyes narrowed.

She waves Ridoc’s hand away and pushes herself to her feet, her vision blurs for a moment and she takes a few deep breaths to try and steady herself. Her knees are shaking and blood is still dripping down her shin. She feels like shit but she made it.

“You made it!” Rhiannon echo’s Violet’s own thoughts as she approaches and embraces her.

Violet exhales heavily her vision finally clear enough to see her friend, “Adrenaline,” which is still very much pumping through her veins, “and luck.” she adds with a smile.

“Cheating!” that voice again, Violet turns, she had been expecting some backlash of course but the person who is adamantly claiming she was cheating is Amber Mavis. Violet notices that Dain Aetos is standing at her shoulder and she feels like she’s been punched in the gut. The look on his face is furious, he clearly agrees with his friend that Violet has somehow cheated to make her way to the top.

Amber moves forwards with rage on her face, she is approaching Xaden who is holding the roll and recording the times, Garrick intercepts her, “Back up Mavis.” he tells her holding a hand out to make her stop.

The ensuing argument centres on Violet apparently using a foreign object to make her ascent. Violet leans into Rhiannon whose arms have tightened around Violet’s shoulders. Violet’s eyes fall on Dain who is hovering behind nodding every now and again when Amber says something. The hurt has been replaced with nausea instead.

Xaden’s eyes are cold as they watch Amber, his gaze turns to Violet and she is sure he is seconds away from smirking in that infuriating way that he does. “Sorrengail?” his voice is smooth and Violet’s mouth is suddenly dry. Xaden’s eyebrow lifts as his onyx and gold flecked eyes meet Violet’s hazel ones.

She swallows, desperate to make it through the next sentence without her voice cracking. Violet summons as much courage as she can as she says, “I expect the thirty-second penalty for using the rope.” her voice is steady and she is buoyed by the, pride? She can see on Xaden’s face.

Amber will not let it slide, “And the knife?”

“She’s disqualified.” Dain’s voice is like an ice knife through Violet’s already battered heart. This is not her friend; the man is a stranger. He has been a stranger to her since she entered the quadrant but hearing him saying those two words finally puts the last nail in that coffin.

Violet almost chokes on her words as she prepares herself to argue, Mavis’ shrill voice beats her to it, “Surely, she’s out! You can’t tolerate lawlessness within your own wing, Riorson!”

The urge that she has to roll her eyes is almost painful, Xaden is still waiting for Violet to finish what she had been saying. “A rider may only bring to the quadrant the items they can carry-” she’s ready to continue but Mavis all but explodes.

“Are you fucking quoting the codex to ME!” the rage turns her face an unpleasant purple colour, she is breathing heavily through her nostrils and Violet is sure that had Amber Mavis been a dragon Violet would have been roasted and turned into a pile of ash in front of everyone here.

She forges on, “and they shall not be separated from those items no matter what they may be.” there is a noise from Mavis of unbridled rage simmering so close to the surface that Violet has to stop herself from laughing. “For once carried across the parapet, they are considered part of their person. Article Three, Section Six, Addendum B.” Xaden’s mouth quirks to one side and he knows that I’ve got her. There are some more noises of rage but Amber doesn’t bother with another argument as Violet’s gaze fixes onto Xaden’s and she repeats to him the words which have been swirling around inside her head ever since he said them to her, “The right way isn’t the only away.”

His smirk becomes and smile and Violet feels something inside her chest flip flop painfully as she marvels at the sight. Violet is vaguely aware that Dain is tugging Amber away the sound of her angry voice disappears into the background as she fades away.

Xaden’s smile is gone a second later, “Sorrengail,” Violet wonders for a second if he’s using her surname and not his favoured nickname for her to create some distance between them, “you’re leaking.” Violet looks down at her shins and also at the palms of her hands both are dripping blood steadily. The pain that had been pushed so far down by adrenaline and the rage that Amber Mavis had elicited, comes back with a terrifying force. For the second time that day she feels as if the wind has been knocked out of her. She hauls a breath in and nods at him, he offers her a single nod back as he points towards the stairs that lead down towards the flight field. Time to meet some dragons.

The stairs are a challenge as well and Violet is sure by the time she reaches the bottom her hips are screaming in pain. One wrong move and she’s sure a hip will dislocate. She reaches for Rhiannon who grips her hand and squeezes.

“You, okay?” she asks worry colouring her voice as she turns to look at Violet.

“Everything hurts. I really wish that I could’ve had a rest before we did this. One of these dragons is going to see that I’m hurt and eat me alive.” she mutters with a heavy sigh.

“We’ll hold you up Vi.” Ridoc offers from behind her.

She throws a smile over her shoulder at him.

“But maybe if you get munched can I have your stuff?” the bark of a laugh which escapes her is unexpected she smiles to herself that even in such a terrifying place Ridoc has not lost his incredible sense of humour.

Liam stands at Ridoc’s shoulder his beautiful blue eyes scan ahead of them, awe is written all over his face and Violet soon realises why. The dragons have gathered into a formation of their own. They are at least twenty-five feet tall and tower over everyone who makes their way carefully down the path. Dozens of dragons have gathered, so many colours and different tails which shift and flick in irritation and intimidation.

Violet does everything in her power to control her breathing, Tynan who stands in front of Rhiannon gazes up at the dragons with an open wonder. There had been rumblings that a feathertail had been spotted out here and Tynan had been one of the first to sneer at the suggestion that someone would want to bond with one. They had been told that they needed to talk to each other during the walk Violet forgets in this moment as she stares up at these massive behemoths any and all of her small talk conversation topics.

Rhiannon saves her, “Did you see the sick look on Aetos’ face when he walked away from you?”

Violet wants to smile, wants to feel satisfied that she had made him so angry but there is a cold feeling somewhere deep inside her which also feels sad, “I was too busy having a staring competition with the wingleader.” she quips back.

Ridoc laughs behind her, “I saw that. I thought he was either about to pounce on you or rip your throat out.”

“More likely to be the latter.” she replies. Any further comments she had die in her throat as a green daggertail shifts out of formation and lopes towards the group. The urge to freeze is overwhelming. Rhiannon reaches a hand back to Violet once more and pulls her along. The golden eyes of the daggertail follow them, it stands close enough that the warm breath coming from its nose heats Violet’s skin.

There’s a low rumble from somewhere behind them and a red swordtail shifts towards them to inspect the group. Heat licks out towards them and Violet is sure that Ridoc is going to get scorched but the flames are a lazy warning and nothing more.

Ridoc huffs a breath and Rhiannon decides now is the best time to ask about Violet’s Gauntlet plan, “Why didn’t you tell me about the rope and the dagger?” She knew the question had been coming but she feels a stab of guilt hit her somewhere low in the ribs, the feeling is amplified as she adds, “You can trust me, you know.”

“I know.” Violet does know, “I only thought of it yesterday. I also didn’t want you to try and talk me out of it. It was the only way I was getting up there.” Rhiannon nods she knows that Violet is right.

The line of dragons is coming to an end, four dragons are left on either side. As the almost reach the end movement catches Violet’s eye. The glimmer of scales in the sun. Golden scales that shimmer beautifully. The feathertail appears to be chasing a butterfly or some other winged insect. There is another rumble and the feathertail’s attention snaps to the group who approach the end of the line. It runs, feet galloping towards the line before skidding to a stop beside a brown swordtail. It is gold.

“Who the hell would want to bond with that thing.” Tynan’s words are cold and Violet wants to punch him.

“They can hear you.” she grits out with a concerned look up at the dragons that are still watching them with something akin to abject boredom.

Violet’s eyes are glued to the feathertail, its eyes glint in the sun as do the scales which cover it from head to tail. The tail looks strange, the other dragons all having such massive weapons attached to them and this smaller more dainty thing has only feathers where a weapon would be.

“How could anyone even mount it. It’s so small.” Tynan has not heeded Violet’s warning and continues with his criticism, “Maybe that one is for you Sorrengail. You’re both so small and weak.”

She grits her teeth refusing to rise to the bait. Tynan has been spending far too much time with Jack Barlowe and responding to him in this moment would not be worth the wasted breath. The small dragon is breathtaking, Violet’s eyes drag away from it.

A pair of green dragons step out of formation and approach. Any other words die in Violet’s throat as one of them is nosing at her chest in a heartbeat. Her heartbeat thunders painfully against her chest as she fights to control her breathing.

“Oh...oh” Violet’s voice is small as the dragon chuffs out a breath. “You can smell Teine, can’t you?” she knows they won’t answer but there is something in their eyes which looks like understanding. Both green dragons regard her with a look that she cannot decipher but while she still breathes, she’s going to continue, “I am Violet, Mira’s sister.”

The one on the left blinks before turning away as if that explanation is enough. The one on the right leans in and sniffs again. A blast of hot air fans Violet’s face, the whisps of hair that have escaped her braid fly around her head. There is a second where Violet wonders if this will be her last moment before the second dragon slinks away and Violet releases a breath, she hadn’t known she was holding.

The morning of the Threshing Violet wakes early. She isn’t sure if it is fear or excitement which fills her as she laces her boots. She is sure that she feels like she is going to be violently ill every time she allows her brain to wander anywhere near the idea that by the end of the day, she could either be bonded, unbonded or dead.

Breakfast is a frantic affair; voices and the clattering of plates fill the air. Violet is sure the room is louder than usual. She is also sure that Xaden Riorson is watching her as she walks across the room to find a seat with Rhiannon, Ridoc, Sawyer and Liam. She doesn’t look for him, doesn’t need to really, but she also doesn’t want the distraction of his face.

Liam beams up at her as she places her tray down in front of herself before lowering into a seat, “How have you managed to eat anything?” she asks as she watches him shovel some scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“I ‘as ‘ungry.” he replies with food still in his mouth.

Violet’s own stomach churns in violent protest, “I’m not sure I can stomach anything this morning.” her hands are shaking of that, she is sure.

Rhiannon narrows her eyes, “You need food Vi. Today is scary but if you don’t eat, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

“And if you do eat you could just chuck up in front of a dragon. Who knows, that could be appealing to one of them!” Ridoc offers with a wide grin which isn’t fooling anyone. Violet forces herself to laugh her mind racing as she thinks about the day ahead. Violet also forces herself to eat, she knows that Rhiannon is right, without food she’ll probably feel lightheaded. She needs to be as strong as she possibly can be today.

As breakfast comes to a close Violet’s squad all heads out towards the flight field. After all of Ridoc’s bravado and even jokes about vomiting he ends up being the one hurling before they head out towards where the dragons will be. Violet winces as the sound reaches her ears. 147 of us are gathered all hoping beyond hope that they are the lucky one to manage to bond a dragon over their fellow cadets.

“Which one are you going for?” Rhiannon asks as she unsheathes her sword from her back and looks down the blade checking that it is in fact sharp enough to potentially fight off an attacker.

Violet grimaces, “I’m just hoping one of them doesn’t decide to torch me when they see me.”

Rhiannon snorts before patting Violet’s back and re-sheathing her sword, “You’ve made it this far Vi. Have a little more faith in your capabilities.”

Xaden is tugging on his flight leathers; he knows that he shouldn’t go out there during threshing. He needs to leave this to chance. He also needs to trust that Violet can make it through the day under her own steam. The polite knocking on his door causes him to pause for a second. He stares at the dark oak door and steadies his breathing as he approaches it and pulls the door open.

The person standing before him is unexpected, Xaden straightens his posture and swallows, “General.”

Her expression is pinched as she strides into his room, Xaden closes this door, “I definitely made a request of you Riorson.”

Xaden’s mouth goes dry and he struggles to find the words, “That you did General. I told you that I would work within the codex.”

Lilith Sorrengail turns her expression on him, “She’s taking part in the Threshing.”

“An activity which has been known to claim many cadets’ lives.” Xaden counters.

“If she bonds.” a faraway look crosses her face, “If, if she bonds.” there is an uncertainty that Xaden has never seen before, “If - the target on her back will grow exponentially.”

Xaden narrows his eyes confused, Lilith seems worried, she seems in this moment like she doesn’t want her daughter to die and Xaden tilts his head to one side, “What do you really want General? Do you want her dead or do you want her gone? They are not the same thing.”

Lilith meets his gaze, and Xaden can see the conflict in her eyes, “She is a danger to everything I have built and if my daughter weren’t here anymore several things would become easier.” she wrinkles her nose as if she has revealed a great deep secret. Xaden however feels more in the dark than ever.

Xaden knows he needs to go and talk to Brennan again. Gone is better than dead.

“My mate has eyes on your girl.”

“She isn’t my girl.”

There is a derisive snort in his head in response.

#fourth wing fanfic #fanfiction #the empyrean fanfic #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #fourth wing

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caroline-writes · 4 months ago

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Chapter 6: Shadows in the night

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/166556812

A hand wraps around Violet’s ankle and her stomach bottoms out at the realisation that she is about to be forcibly removed from the tree. She allows her hazel eyes to glance downwards and immediately sees the rage on her mother’s face as the hand she has wrapped around Violet’s ankle gives a none too gentle tug, Violet’s grip falters and she is tumbling towards the ground. In the seconds between the impact with the dirt she doesn’t even bother wondering if her mother will try to catch her or slow her fall. Violet lands with a sickening thud and stares up at the thunderous face of her mother.

Chapter 6: Shadows in the night

A week later and Violet is rethinking her poisoning plan. Sometimes it works and sometimes she gets the measurements all wrong. This time she had almost certainly overestimated the weight of her opponent. That had meant that the girl she had been about to face had been rushed very quickly off to the infirmary before Violet could even step up to the mat. Which unfortunately meant that she was now standing opposite Xaden Riorson who had volunteered to take her on instead.

“This doesn’t seem fair.” Rhiannon commented as she comes closer to Violet.

Xaden’s gold flecked eyes flicked over to her full of amusement, “Don’t worry Matthias, I’m not going to kill her. Consider this a training exercise.” the amusement in his eyes doesn’t die as his gaze meets hers. “I want to see what the youngest Sorrengail has got.”

Violet, not for the first time felt like there wasn’t enough air in the room. There was something in his gaze that felt more than predatory. His eyes flicked down her body and Violet suddenly feels like she has been stripped of her clothes and her armour. His gaze is lethal but also heated as it slips down her body.

“It’s fine with me.” Professor Emetterio shrugs, “You’re all in for a treat, Xaden is one of the best fighters we have.” Violet wonders if she is in for a treat or if she’ll just be used as a training dummy.

Garrick walks over to Xaden’s shoulder, he makes sure that he is facing away from the group as he speaks, “You have to make it look real Xaden.”

Xaden’s eyes narrow, “I will.”

“I mean it.” he pauses, his expression is hard, “Look who just walked in.” Xaden’s eyes drift to the door before snapping back towards Violet. General Sorrengail is standing in the doorway with her hands clasped behind her back. She isn’t announcing her presence, but Garrick is right, Xaden has to make this look real. He’s going to have to hurt her. That realisation pulls at something in his chest that he doesn’t want to name. There is no real time for a plan, Xaden knows he can easily knock this girl on her ass, but he had been planning on showing her how to use her body to her advantage, he had hoped he could do that without hurting her.

“Well, shit.” is all he says as he steps forward.

Violet meets his gaze as she takes three steps up and onto the mat facing him. She moves first and Xaden knows that it is because she knows she’s smaller and potentially faster than him, she needs to move on him quick or she won’t stand a chance.

She unsheathes a dagger and throws it at him with practiced efficiency, Xaden doesn’t need to read her intentions to see the throw coming and easily catches the dagger, he moves closer so that only she can hear him say, “You forget I’ve already seen that one. You’ll have to try something new.” he tosses the dagger to one side and ducks towards her.

Violet can’t let his move knock her off balance, she slides a second dagger from a sheathe at her thigh and aims for his thigh. He is equal to it and blocks the move with an infuriating smirk on his face as he bites out, “Going for blood today, Violence?” something in Violet’s chest tightens and she narrows her gaze.

“My name,” she forces the words out, “is Violet.”

His grin is feral as he replies, “I like my version better.” As he says it his shoulder slams into her. Violet feels the air leave her lungs and knows that hitting the mat is going to fucking hurt. She feels her ribs crunch as she lands and then is struggling to pull air into her lungs.

Fear flashes in her eyes as Xaden’s body immediately covers hers, “Slow your breathing Violence.” he tells her and Violet has to pause as she does as he instructs. She’s sure one or two of her ribs are cracked from impacting the mat. He leans in close and Violet doesn’t like the way that her entire body responds to him instantly, “Slowly in through your nose. Your mother is in the doorway.” she goes to snap her gaze over to look at her mother but Xaden anticipates it and stops her, “Look at me. You want to go for where I’m exposed Violence.”

She huffs out a breath before hissing in pain as her ribs protest, “Why are you helping me?” she asks.

Xaden flashes her a grin for half a second as he makes sure to guide the hand that Lilith cannot see, “Here or here.” he uses her own hand to poke where his kidney and liver would be. She doesn’t need to be told twice and with her free hand she unsheathes a dagger and moves as fast as she can to stab him exactly where he suggests. He shifts and in the next second her dagger is in his hand and being tossed out of her reach and onto the floor beyond the mat. Violet makes a sound of disgruntled distress before glaring up into his face. Xaden cannot resist the urge to smirk as he looks down at her and he desperately tries to ignore the tiny voice is the back of his head that wonders what her mouth would taste like if he pressed his to it.

He clears his throat in an attempt to clear his mind just as her elbow digs viciously into his neck. She isn’t really strong enough to shove him off but he rolls with it anyway and she ends up straddling him in a position which was definitely not one that her mother would want to see. Xaden’s eyes darken as he looks up at her, “You keep leaving yourself open.” he bites out as he bucks his hips and dislodges her, she yelps as he catches her arm and bends it behind her. He knows that Imogen broke this arm not long ago, he knows that it is tender from the way she hisses as he pulls it up. He chances a glance over to the doorway and finds that the General is no longer watching. Xaden jumps to his feet and releases her as if touching her skin has burnt him.

As he stands, he tosses aside another of her daggers leaving her finally completely unarmed, “You need training Violence.” he tells her.

“Is that your plan for handling me?” she mutters as she stands unsteadily her left arm moves to rub her right shoulder gingerly as she watches him.

“Get her to the infirmary, I think I may have broken her ribs.” he directs the instruction to Rhiannon who moves into action quickly. The blue in Violet’s eyes flashes as she watches him up until the moment Rhiannon pulls her from the gym. Garrick arrives at Xaden’s elbow and he looks over at his friend, “How long did she stay?”

Garrick’s smirk is infuriating, “She was gone by the time you had her in the cowgirl position.”

“For fuck’s sake Garrick.” Xaden can feel his cheeks heat under the scrutiny of his friend’s gaze.

“She saw you smack her into the mat nodded once and then left. It felt like her seeing you do that just confirmed everything she already thought about her daughter. I know that we knew she was a monster and of course she asked you to kill her own daughter but seeing the cold, detached way she watched her was sickening.” there is a pause before Garrick adds, “We have to get her out of here.” Xaden already knows this of course. Brennan would never forgive him if he allows his sister to die but keeping her alive was certainly going to be more difficult than he originally thought.

Violet looks up, and up and up at the wooden structure in front of her. There is fear and awe pounding adrenaline through her body all at once. The Gauntlet is definitely intimidating, to most people who see it. Aurelie Donans stands beside Violet and is practically bouncing from one foot to the other. She is positively vibrating with excitement.

“Just look at it.” she says her voice filled with wonder as she looks up.

Violet glances at Aurelie before casting her gaze back up at the Gauntlet, “Yeah, I have been.” her tone is flat and devoid of excitement, “Why are you so happy?” she asks as she looks over at the rest of her squad who all seem to be the correct amount of nervous or uncertain as they look up at the intimidating structure before them.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day since conscription day. My brother told me that the Gauntlet is the best part of training. I’ve always loved climbing and challenging myself and what better way than tackling that.” she nods up with a wide grin.

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re fucking insane?” Aurelie laughs as Rhiannon’s words echo out amongst the group.

The blond marked one in their squad, Liam? Laughs in response as he begins to stretch his arms as he readies himself to take on the Gauntlet. From what Violet has already seen of his capabilities he’s sure to manage the Gauntlet with very little issue. As Violet looks up at it, she feels her hands begin to shake.

“Get down from there before you hurt yourself!” the voice is not unkind as it calls out to Violet but she feels a wave of embarrassment wash over her all the same. Her sister’s voice calls out to her from several feet below but Violet is determined to conquer this fear and she will not allow her sister or their mother to ruin this moment for her.

She steadies her breathing and looks for the next branch to grab hold of, “I’m fine.” she bites back, her small fingers gripping the trunk of the tree tightly. At 6 years old she is already fierce in so many ways and in many others, she is as fragile and breakable as bone china.

“Violet, please. Mom is coming and she won’t be so-” her voice cuts off as she is tugged away from the base of the tree.

“Up.” is all she says, Violet’s eyes drift for a moment to her 11-year-old sister who is standing to one side looking worried. Violet reaches a hand up to the back of her head and winces slightly as it comes away wet and sticky, the blinding pain she had felt when she landed had probably been her head hitting a rock. She is sure that Lilith won’t be wasting any more breath telling Violet what she expects from her.

Gingerly she rises, her vision spotty as she stands at her full height, her fierce nature has some limits, and self-preservation kicks in and tells her that meeting her mother’s eye at this moment will surely be a death sentence.

There is a long, drawn-out inhale from her mother and Violet can imagine the way her nostrils flair in disgust as she regards her youngest child, “How many times do I have to tell you, you are never to climb the trees. You are weak and you will break, and I will not have someone coming here to heal you all because of your stupidity.” Lilith’s hand shoots forward and grips her daughter’s chin, she forces her to look up, “You will look at me when I am talking to you. Stop embarrassing this family.” her teeth grind loudly in her jaw before she continues, “Or I will be forced to keep you inside.” tears prick painfully against her eyes but she refuses to let her mother see her cry, she learnt years ago that her tears have no impact on her mother and only serve to derive more scorn from her. Lilith shoves her daughter away and without another word marches back towards the barracks that are currently serving as their home.

“Vi!” Mira rushes towards her sister.

“Leave her. Come Mira.” Lilith’s voice is stern and leaves no room for argument. Mira is a few paces away from her sister as she freezes, “Now Mira.” there is an apology on her tongue, but she can’t get it out of her mouth as she turns and follows their mother inside.

Violet allows herself a moment before sinking to her knees and staring longingly back up at the tree. The feeling of something slowly trickling down her head and into the collar of her shirt reminds her that she is bleeding and that she should probably do something about it.

“I’ve never been all that fond of heights.” Violet says to the group who offer her either nods of agreement or looks of sympathy.

“That is definitely something you will need to get over fairly quickly.” Rhiannon’s tone is not unkind as she reaches out to Violet and pats her on the shoulder.

Aurelie is more than ready to get climbing, “Can we please get started?” she asks with big pleading eyes.

Rhiannon laughs before agreeing that they can do just that, she heads up first, follow by Ridoc and Sawyer. Violet decides to go forth and Aurelie is quickly on her tail. Violet wonders if she should have told the eager girl to go ahead suddenly concerned that her undoubtedly slow pace would frustrate the girl.

“Take your time Vi, I want to savour this.” almost as if she can read her thoughts Aurelie reassures her with a warm, kind smile that makes her heart stutter in her chest.

“Violet! Begin!” Emetterio’s voice cuts through the air and Violet knows there is no more time for thinking or worrying because she has to run and jump and climb and hope beyond hope that she doesn’t fall.

She runs without thinking, something that doesn’t come as second nature to Violet, she thinks first and acts second always. She dashes up towards the first ascent the log still spinning from Sawyer’s journey across it, she knows that speed is the key here and so she dashes across before hoping from one granite slab to the next. Each slab is taller than the last and Violet feels her knees protest as they are jarred by the leap required to reach the last one.

Before her spins a rotating wheel, there is only one entrance to the wheel and therefore there is also only one exit. She times her jump carefully before throwing herself through the gap, the wheel judders and shakes as she rolls inside it before standing once more and keeping her eyes open for when the escape is level with her. She leaps again banging her shin on the opening as she does so. Pain lances through her and she hisses knowing that she is probably bleeding and will definitely be bruised.

She doesn’t have time to worry about any injuries however as the next part of the course looms over her. She is sure she’s going to bounce right off the buoy balls if she doesn’t plan her approach right. Her heart rate begins to climb and her palms are starting to sweat, she needs to calm herself down or her anxiety is going to be the death of her, “Green dragons,” she goes back to the tried and tested strategy which helped her cross the parapet, “known for their keen, intellect, descend from the honourable Uaineloidsig line, and continue to be the most rational of dragonkind, making them the perfect siege weapons, especially in the case of clubtails.” Violet leaps and grabs and manages to hold on before swinging herself to the next ball and the next.

“Are you studying?!” The disbelief almost sounds like horror in Aurelie’s voice. Horror that Violet would spoil a moment like this by reciting facts rather than enjoying the adrenaline pumping through her as she tried desperately not to die.

Violet exhales shakily as she now stands on somewhat steady ground, “It calms me.” she replies, she is pleasantly surprised to realise that her hands are no longer as slick as they were before the words she had been reciting seemed to have helped calm her enough.

The clang of metal as her hand hits it startles Violet in a way that makes her hand slip slightly, she gasps and is sure that those above her gasp too. She swings with her other arm gritting her teeth to prevent a scream as she feels her muscles pulling in an excruciatingly painful way but she manages to regain her grip.

“Next to you! The rope is next to you!” Aurelie’s voice from below is strong and Violet’s vision, which is dimming at the edges due to pain, zeros in on the rope. She makes a desperate grab for it before swinging herself to what could be considered relative safety.

What feels like a second later Aurelie lands beside her grinning from ear to ear, “This is the best. Just as good as my brother said it would be.”

Violet cannot help but smile back the grin is infectious, “I think you need to get checked out, did you hit your head or something?” her voice is soft with a touch of humour as she teases her squad mate, her teasing does nothing to diminish Aurelie’s smile.

Stretching her arms and feeling the painful way her shoulders pull she knows that if she takes one more hit, she’s going to dislocate them, Violet grits her teeth as she looks up at the next ascent. Aurelie’s voice makes her pause, “Don’t think about this one Vi. You need to just run across it, you pause, you die.”

Violet examines the logs before her and sees the way they shift and roll, if she loses her balance here, she’s going to find herself splattered down the side of the mountain, “Okay, no thinking. Just run.” Violet repeats to herself. She takes in a breath and exhales slowly testing the pull of her arm once more before pushing off against the gravel path and sprinting, the world shifts and rolls under her feet and despite her lack of any real practice climbing something like this she makes it across in one quick motion. As her feet meet the gravel safely on the other side, she sighs desperate to sink to her knees as her legs feel like jelly.

She pushes that thought aside as she looks up at the next ascent mindful that she needs to get out of Aurelie’s way. Violet is about to take a step when above her a roar from the skies seems to shake the entire mountain as a Green Daggertail heads back towards the Vale. She stares up at it in awe for a moment before a cry from behind her draws her attention back to Aurelie. Her excited squad mate had been attempting the rolling logs as the dragon had flown overhead and she had apparently paused, her words echoed in Violet’s head for a second, ‘you pause, you die’.

Fear flashes in Aurelie’s eyes as they meet Violet for a second, the joy that had been in her eyes all day is gone, replaced by terror and resignation, she knows what is coming for her, “Aurelie!” Violet’s own voice calls out in desperation though there is nothing she can do as she watches her friend slip from the logs and fall.

Down, down, down.

The cold air rips through Xaden’s flight leathers but he wants to feel it, needs to feel something before he sees her tonight. It has been months of course but that doesn’t change the way that she looks at him whenever he is forced to meet her. It doesn’t change the way her eyes beg him to change his mind. It doesn’t change the way she tries to fuck with his head every single chance that she gets. His mood is stormy as they land and Garrick notices very quickly.

“Do you want me to take the lead on this?” he asks watches as the darkness around Xaden seemed to shift and grow like a living thing.

Xaden’s eyes, that had been scanning the horizon looking for any movement or signs that the flyers were heading their way, shift to regard his friend, “No. I’m fine.” he takes a moment and exhales, as he does so the shadows that had been roiling at his feet shrink away and seem to disappear.

Cuir’s green scales glint like the sea on a stormy night in the low light, Bodhi reaches up to pat the foreleg of his dragon who shifts slightly from foot to foot with his golden eyes on the sky. Bodhi’s gaze moves to the clouds above them and he speaks, “Incoming.” a single word as he falls into step beside his cousin as the drift of fliers lands a short distance away.

The four gryphons paw at the ground in uncertainty Catriona makes a beeline straight for him, there is a smirk on his face and it makes Xaden wince as she closes the distance between them, “Nice of you to join us.” Garrick’s tone is sarcastic but the haunted look in Syrena’s eyes makes him stop, “What is it?”

“They’re making gains, killing and draining wherever they go. We need more. More than this,” she points towards the sacks of alloy weapons with a bitterness in her voice, “and you greet me with jokes?”

“I’m sorry.” Garrick is quick to apologise guilt gnawing at him as he looks at the fliers who all look exhausted beyond measure.

Syrena’s expression is grim as she mutters, “Yeah, me too.” she nods to the fliers next to her and they move to pick up the bags and head back towards their gryphons.

“What more do you need?” Xaden’s voice is heavy with concern but also resignation, he knows that from their current position there isn’t much more that they can do.

Syrena shakes her head and pulls her sister’s arm to drag her away from Xaden, “If you did any more, you’d be found out and then we’d have nothing...I’m just...we’re just tired.” the exhaustion in her voice bleeds through and her shoulders sag. “Just keep coming any maybe we’ll survive this.” she tells him as she marches back towards her gryphon.

“If I could-” he starts and Syrena shoots him a glare which stops his words somewhere in his throat, she knows that he would do more if he could but his words mean less than nothing in this moment. Garrick’s hand is on his shoulder, and he pulls Xaden backwards towards their dragons, the exchange today didn’t leave them feeling heroic, it left the three riders feeling hollow. Their attempt and making a change a futile effort which was doing very little to actually level the playing field.

As they arrived back at Basgiath under the cover of darkness the trio walk in relative silence, it is Bodhi who breaks it, “There has to be something more we can do.” he directs this at Xaden who visibly winces in response.

He slows his pace slightly and Garrick answers with a frown, “You know we’re doing everything we can.”

Xaden has slowed to a stop, “What’s wrong?” Garrick’s voice asks as his eyebrow lifts in concern.

“Go on, I’ll meet you inside.” he waves them away; his shadows reach out in front of him tentatively as they delicately probe a shadowed alcove. Garrick and Bodhi glance at each other for a moment before walking away. There is a pause as Xaden approaches the darkened alcove.

A sigh before, “I know you know I’m here.” Violet’s voice is deadpan, she takes a step from the shadow and Xaden checks himself for a moment as his eyes meet hers. They are slightly red and her cheeks are puffy, he can tell that she has been crying.

Xaden remembered hearing that one of her squad had fallen from the Gauntlet in front of her, that was enough to shake even the most hardened of riders. He doesn’t ask her about it and is even more surprised when she doesn’t ask him why he’s out here so late.

Her eyes wander up his arms before meeting his gold flecked onyx eyes, “Are you planning on killing me?” the question knocks the wind out of him for a second, he wonders if she knows about her mother’s request.

He pauses for a beat and schools his features, “I haven’t decided yet.” his tone in playful but there is something painful clenching in his stomach threatening to revolt.

She huffs out a laugh and takes a step to try and walk away from him, “Please make up your mind sooner rather than later.” Xaden’s hand shoots out and grabs her wrist, she tries to pull it away but he is steadfast.

“Why?” he asks and Violet is sure that goosebumps have risen up her arm in response to his thumb brushing her pulse point.

She pulls again, “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Xaden’s expression is dark, his hold on her wrist tightens slightly. He could do it, he could follow through with Lilith’s request right here and now. The idea of hurting her makes his blood turn to ice in his veins, “Perhaps not, but indulge me.” his thumb moves again skimming her wrist.

Her eyes are fierce and full of challenge as they meet his, in this low light the brown is clearer than the blue, Xaden kicks himself for even noticing that, “I can’t do it.” her voice is small and Xaden has to take a half step towards her to make sure he heard her correctly.

“What can’t you do?” he asks his scarred brow shooting upwards.

She grits her teeth and glares up at him with a challenge in her eyes, “The Gauntlet. I’m too fucking small, I can’t span the distance on the chimney.”

He has the audacity to smirk and Violet has the sudden urge to stab him in that moment, his thumb moves against her wrist one more time before he lets her go, she pulls her arm into her side and starts to walk away before he says another word, he calls out after her his voice echoing in the courtyard, “The right way isn’t the only way. Figure it out.”

For the second time in 30 seconds Violet wants to stab that stupidly attractive face of his.

#fanfiction #fourth wing fanfic #the empyrean fanfic #fourth wing #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #forged steel

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caroline-writes · 4 months ago

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Chapter 5: A brother's anxiety

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/166120489

“Please tell me-”

“She’s still alive.” something inside Brennan seemed to deflate, he had been gearing up for bad news and having the good also seemed to have knocked the wind out of him.

Garrick glanced between the two men, “Please tell me that you have a plan. I don’t know how we can keep her alive until threshing. Your mother is going to start asking questions soon enough and then we will be in real trouble.”

Chapter 5: A brother’s anxiety

Garrick’s hand on Xaden’s shoulder was a familiar weight as they take a step together. The world blurs in a way that makes Xaden’s stomach lurch. The ability to step from one place to another in a matter of seconds was an extremely useful one, especially when they needed to gather information quickly. Xaden hadn’t wanted to use it originally because he had hoped he could keep Garrick out of this, that hadn’t lasted very long. One second Xaden and Garrick were standing in his bedroom and the next they were standing on the flight field Aretia and Brennan was marching towards them with a frown furrowing his brow.

“Please tell me-”

“She’s still alive.” something inside Brennan seemed to deflate, he had been gearing up for bad news and having the good also seemed to have knocked the wind out of him.

Brennan pulls a face, “I still need to work out why she wants her dead in the first place.”

“Maybe we ask Violet.” Garrick’s suggestion is met with glares from both men.

“No.” they say in unison.

Garrick’s hazel eyes meet onyx and then amber, “I get that you both think you’re doing the noble thing. But realistically we’re going to need to get her on board with any rescue attempt. We can’t just abduct her.”

Xaden pulls a face which says he thinks that isn’t a completely awful idea, “We were thinking of faking her death.” Xaden’s voice pulls Brennan’s attention away from Garrick.

“You were?” There is pain and confusion on his face, “How many interactions have you actually had with Violet?”

Garrick shrugs, other than seeing her in battle brief he hasn’t actually spoken to her directly. He turns his gaze to Xaden who has a strange look on his face.

“We’ve spoken...she threw a dagger at me actually.” a smirk plays on his lips but disappears as he looks up at the two men beside him, “I found her in a tree the other night after our meeting with the marked ones.”

“Xaden what the fuck?” Garrick’s hazel eyes are wide with fear.

Xaden appears unbothered, “She won’t say anything.”

Brennan’s expression hardens for a fraction of a second, “What exactly does that mean?” he asks with a tone that is laced with venom.

“She said she wouldn’t. I don’t know why but I believed her.” Xaden’s eyes meet Brennan’s and the gold flecks glow slightly in the dim light. He knows exactly why he trusts her, he read her intentions, and she had been truthful, but he isn’t about to tell Brennan and Garrick that.

Brennan shakes his head, “So, how have deliveries been going?” he asked changing the subject entirely. “Has sneaking out of Basgiath become any easier?”

“Tecarus is growing impatient. He claims that Poromiel need twice the number of imbued weapons than we are currently giving them.” Xaden mutters running a hand through his dark hair in frustration.

“He wouldn’t be riding you so hard if you had-”

“I KNOW.” Xaden’s frustration is bellowed outwards away from the two men, “I know that our lives would have been a hell of a lot easier if I had agreed to marry a woman, I didn’t have any feelings for. And yet, here we are.” A look of sympathy crosses over Brennan’s face but Xaden cannot bare it so he turns away, “Can we speed up the creation of the weapons at all?”

“We can try, but we won’t be able to double it.” Brennan allows.

“Do what you can. I don’t care about the cost. The venin attacks are making news in battle brief. I know that the powers that be will continue to tell everyone that it is griffin attacks, but we know better. People are dying.” Xaden’s voice is clipped.

Brennan nods, “I’ll get it done. Please keep her alive.”

“We will do everything in our power.” Xaden agreed, Garrick’s hand reached for his shoulder once more and a dizzying step later they were back in Xaden’s bedroom. The darkness outside the window’s tells them they’ve barely been gone.

“You didn’t want to tell him we wouldn’t stop her from getting hurt.” Garrick challenged as he slowly lowers himself into a chair by Xaden’s bed. His amber eyes are dulled as the exhaustion from distance wielding so far hits him like an avalanche.

“What he doesn’t know, can’t hurt him.”

“Interesting choice of words.” Garrick quips, “Why didn’t you tell me she overheard our meeting the other night?”

Xaden looks up at him and meets his eyes, “It wasn’t important.”

Garrick’s confusion turns to horror, “Not important? How is that not important? She has a piece of information that could effectively get every single marked one here killed and you say it isn’t important. Have you lost your fucking mind.”

“She isn’t a threat.” even as the words leave his mouth, he knows he is lying to himself. She may not pose a threat to the movement but she was definitely a threat to him. The way his heart flips when he sees her and bone crushing urge, he has to protect her which goes against every ounce of self-preservation he has are definitely a danger.

“I think maybe if you keep telling yourself that it might end up true.” Garrick’s response is cold, and he can see that his oldest friend does not appreciate being lied to.

“I’m dealing with it.” Xaden tells him and winces slightly at the laugh that comes from his friend.

“Just make sure that whatever you do, doesn’t get us in even more trouble.” Garrick’s tone is softer now, it almost sounds like it is laced with pity.

There is a soft knock on the door before it is pushed open, Liam stands in the doorway looking a little hesitant, “Hey, Xaden. You wanted to see me?” Garrick turned to look at Xaden with a confused look.

“Ah yes. Liam, I need you to shadow Violet. You need to be my eyes and ears when I can’t be there. If you can work out why Lilith wants her daughter dead that would be useful.” Xaden asks already know that Liam will agree.

The younger man nods, “I guess you’re going to have me moved into her squad?”

“Yeah. I’ve already had it done. Aetos wanted to know why, I explained it away by saying I was balancing the squad.” Xaden replies nodding.

Liam offers Garrick a smile, “Okay, I’ll get on that. How do we think she’s going to react?”

“Don’t make it obvious, just be your usual charming self. Act like you’re looking for new friends. You can make it work I’m sure.”

Garrick shakes his head as he watches Liam nod again before excusing himself, “You’re so screwed.”

“Shut up.”

Professor Kaori stands in front of the group of first years, large pictures of different types of dragons are stuck to the board behind him as he walks backwards and forwards in front of it. He is telling the group that they need to be aware of the different temperaments of dragons before they approach them. “Some dragons will quite literally roast you on sight. You need to know which ones you should be running from and which you can approach safely.” His dark eyes scan the room, he is projecting an image of a green Daggertail which he then changes to a red Scorpiontail. His signet means that he is able to create illusions which is a very useful signet when you need to show a group of wannabe riders what different dragons look like without potentially getting them in danger.

Violet had decided that she would ask him to show her what Oren Seifert looked like once the lesson was over. He was going to be her very first challenge at the end of the week and she desperately needed to know what he looked like. If her plan was going to work, she didn’t want to accidentally poison the wrong person.

“Red Scorpiontails like Ghrian here, are the quickest to temper,” Professor Kaori explains, the group continues to take notes as the image rotates in the centre of the table, “So if you offend him, you’re-”

“Lunch.” Ridoc says with a look of disgust, the class laughs in response. Even Jack Barlowe who has been levelling a glare at Violet ever since his squad settled at the table. He has been looking at her like he’s imagining all of the different ways in which he can disembowel her right at this table. The hairs on the back of her neck stand on end at his continued attention. Violet knows that laying low is her best bet in this class.

“So, what, would be the best way to approach a red Scorpiontail?” he asks his dark gaze sweeping over the group.

The blond who has settled beside Violet pulls a face, as Rhiannon mutters, “You don’t.” To Violet who stifles a laugh. The lesson continues as a girl from another squad gives Kaori an answer that he is satisfied with. Kaori explains how many dragons have showed that they are prepared to bond this year and Violet is startled to learn that it is 37 fewer than the year before.

The conversation moves on and Kaori changes the image that he is projecting, it becomes a blue Daggertail, “You won’t have to worry about how to approach blue dragons, since there aren’t any who are willing to bond this year. However, you should recognise Sgaeyl if you see her.”

Violet remembers the imposing blue Daggertail from Conscription Day. She is bonded to Xaden Riorson which is all she needs to know to know that she needs to keep away from her.

Ridoc’s voice pipes up again, “So you can fucking run.” his eyes are wide and Violet is sure that the image of Sgaeyl seems to grow in size.

Kaori nods in agreement, “Yes, if you ever have the misfortune to see her without her bonded rider your best bet is to get away from her as quickly as you can. She is ruthless, for want of a better word. She cares little for dragon laws and therefore couldn’t give a damn about our human ones. She bonded the relative of a previous rider which is usually entirely forbidden. She does what she wants.”

Violet allows her mind to wander as she begins to think about Sgaeyl’s rider. The temperamental nature of his dragon probably explains why he is such a powerful shadow wielder. A powerful shadow wielder who a few days ago hand found Violet listening in to a very private discussion and allowed her to walk away.

“I want that one!” Jack’s voice is loud as his eyes light up as the image changes to a massive black dragon with what appears to be a morningstartail.

Violet’s attention is pulled back to Kaori who tries to stifle a snorted laugh, “I haven’t seen him in the last five years so it is highly unlikely that he will even be around for Threshing. But since he’s up there, what can you tell me about black dragons?”

“They’re the most intelligent and most discerning.” Aurelie calls out.

Violet then pipes up, “They’re the rarest. There hasn’t been one born in the last century.”

Kaori allows a ghost of a smile as he nods, “Correct,” the image spins and Violet is face to face with a pair of glaring yellow eyes, “They’re also the most cunning. There’s no such thing as outsmarting a black dragon.”

The lesson eventually draws to a close, Rhiannon lingers by the door for a moment as the blond who had been sat beside Violet glances back in her direction, “You go on ahead, I just need to ask the professor a question.” Rhiannon nods with a smile but Violet is distinctly aware that the blond hesitates for a moment, she doesn’t even know his name.

“Professor,” she approaches him as he is gathering his papers together and getting ready to return to his office, “I have a question.”

He looks up at her, “Of course, how can I help you, Cadet Sorrengail?” his dark brown eyes narrow slightly and the smile that graces his lips does not meet them.

“I was wondering if you would be able to show me what one of my fellow students looks like. I know it probably sounds like a strange request but I’ve been assigned to do a project with him and I don’t know what he looks like.” Violet somehow manages to force her cheeks to redden slightly and she’s sure she is the picture of embarrassment as she asks her professor for a favour.

He tuts before tilting his head to one side, “An unusual request certainly. But one I can easily solve. What is the name of the cadet?”

“Oren Seifert.” she replies without hesitation.

There is a moment of silence between them and Violet worries that professor Kaori doesn’t know what Oren looks like either but then an image sits between them of a large blond man. He looks broad and frighteningly strong. Violet tries to school her features but she is sure there is a look of horror on her face.

“Th-thank you professor. I should get going to my next lesson.” Violet quickly grabs her things and shuffles away from him.

“Violet-” he calls after her, she freezes in the doorway concerned suddenly that he has worked out her motive for wanting to know what Oren looked like, “I taught both of your siblings.” he pauses and as Violet turns, she is sure there is pain in his eyes, “A signet like mine is too useful in the classroom to let me deploy with a wing for too long. Brennan-” her eyes snap to his and there is definitely pain there that is almost certainly mirrored in her own, “was a spectacular rider and a good man.” he frowns, “Mira is shrewd and gifted in the seat when it comes to riding.” Violet isn’t sure when he is going with this, she nods in agreement, they were and are fantastic riders. “You-” he pauses waiting for her eyes to meet his once more, “are more intelligent than either one of them. Don’t forget that.” with steel in her gaze she allows herself one more curt nod before ducking from the classroom.

Violet arrives at her next lesson just as others in the room were moving off into pairs to begin sparring. Her eyes fall almost instantly on the man who she knew now to be Oren Seifert was standing with Jack Barlowe. Violet felt ice run down her spine at the sight. She knew now that she definitely had to go through with her plan to spike his food before the fight. While Barlowe was desperate to be the one to end her life he would probably not be all that upset if one of his friends beat him to it. Tomorrow was the first day of challenges and Violet was well aware that she needed to action her plan at breakfast.

The very next morning she does exactly that. Violet remembers that he has picked up scrambled eggs for the last 4 days in a row with that in mind she notices when he is going to come into the breakfast hall and sprinkles some on the eggs before Oren takes his portion. There may be a couple of other upset stomachs today but that was a risk that she had to take to make sure that she didn’t die today.

Violet sat back down at the table with a heavy sigh, “You okay Vi?” Rhiannon asked looking up from her breakfast.

Violet smiles back at her friend, “Challenges start today. I’m just going to enjoy my final meal before I inevitably die later today.”

Rhi offers her a sympathetic smile, “You’re not dying today.” she tells her gently.

Violet’s eyes drift over to where Oren and Jack’s group have settled for breakfast. Scrambled eggs are piled high on his plate, she may not die today.

The gym is a hive of activity by the time that Violet, Ridoc and Rhiannon walk in. There are third years sparring on the mats and Violet’s eyes are immediately drawn to the glistening shirtless body of Xaden Riorson. Of course he is absolutely gorgeous with muscles for days.

“Stop ogling Vi.” Ridoc says with a grin which spells trouble.

“I wasn’t-” Violet began to deny when a voice broke across the room.

“You absolutely were, but I don’t blame you.” Ridoc’s eyes are also glued to the sweat soaked chests of the men sparring.

Violet tears her gaze away from the two men as Rhiannon’s first challenge is about to begin. A sick feeling roils around in her stomach knowing that once Rhiannon has dealt with the second wing first year, she is squaring off with, it will be her turn.

Someone appears at her shoulder and Violet has to quell the hope that blooms in her chest as Dain stands beside her. She resists the urge to look up at him keeping her eyes on Rhiannon who is dodging a fist that comes flying for her face.

“He’s going to kill you.” Violet’s urge to look at Dain is then too strong as he speaks to her for the first time since conscription day.

Violet’s gaze follows Dain’s over to Xaden who now has a towel wrapped around his shoulders and is watching Rhiannon’s match with an utterly bored expression.

“Your opponent.” he clarifies and Violet’s gaze swings over to Oren who is sitting with Jack, his skin looks a little pale but Violet worries that he hasn’t consumed enough to mean that he won’t be able to fight. His eyes are tracking her every move and she suddenly feels like the room is too small.

Violet’s expression changes, she looks back at Rhiannon and mutters, “Thanks for the heads up but now is not the time for you to pretend you actually care.” she steps away from him and doesn’t like the feeling that stirs in her chest as he follows.

“I’m serious Violet.” he presses.

She spins around and pokes a finger into his chest, “ I’m serious Dain. You don’t get to ice me out and then act like you can save me. I’ve got this.” there is a slight sheen covering Oren’s brow which instils a little more hope into Violet that he has been sufficiently dosed.

There is a thud behind them as the second wing candidate is unconscious on the mat and Rhiannon is claiming his dagger. “Thank you. Enjoy your nap.” she quips as she snatches it up and dances off the mat.

Violet moves away from Dain to congratulate her as she laughs at Rhiannon’s words, “You made that look so easy.”

Jack’s eyes narrow in Violet’s direction, “Why are you laughing Sorrengail? His voice is cold from somewhere behind her.

Violet turns to look at him, her own eyes narrow in response, “Oh fuck off Barlowe.” she replies her hands shifting to the daggers she has sheathed at her ribs and she remembers Xaden’s words about showing Barlowe her trick with daggers.

“I would really hate for my friend Seifert to end your life before I get the chance to but if someone’s going to do it, they’d better do it soon. Violets are such delicate flowers, easily trampled and crushed.” he takes a step towards her and as he does so Violet shifts her hands to both sides of her ribs and pulls and flicks with practiced motion. There is a thudding sound as both daggers meet wood, colour drains from Jack’s face as he turns his head slightly finding himself eye to eye with one dagger while the other has lodged itself between his legs.

“What the fuck.” he rips one of the daggers from the wall and marches towards Violet with menacing intent. “You’re going to fucking pay for that.” His breathing is laboured and Violet can tell she has rattled him.

Professor Emetterio stops him in his tracks and takes the dagger from his hand, “Sorrengail,” she freezes worried she’s about to be punished for her reckless act, instead she watches as his eyes sweep the room, “and Seifert. You’re up.” The air leaves her lungs in a sharp exhale and for a moment Violet worries that there isn’t enough air in the room at all.

She looks up and her eyes meet onyx flecked gold, as they do, she’s sure that he’s smirking at her.

A hand pats her back and Violet’s eyes meet Rhiannon’s, “You’ve got this.” Professor Emetterio hands Violet back her daggers and she flips them a few times in her hands testing the weight.

Oren stands opposite her, his eyes are glassing and his stance is poor. Violet knows that she is faster than him and can dodge his fists easily. That is exactly what he does. Seifert swings and Violet dodges. She gets a few punches in, one to the kidney and then as he swings his own blade towards her and misses, she manages to kick him in the back and sends him sprawling to the floor. He lands with a heavy thud and a second later Violet is poised on top of him her blade at his throat.

“Yield.” she yells hoping to all of the gods out there that he will.

“No!” his shouted response fills her with dread, she can’t kill him, she won’t kill. A second later she knows she won’t have to as he makes a gagging sound in his throat and his body lurches slightly as he vomits up his breakfast.

Violet holds her nerve doing everything in her own power to not throw up all over him, “Yield!” she repeats, as she does so his body lurches again and he gags thickly.

“He yields. Someone take him to the infirmary.” Professor Emetterio intervenes with a disgusted look on his face. Violet jumps away from him careful to avoid the sick that now covers the mat. His dagger lies on the floor a short distance away and Violet stares at it for a long moment before bending to pick it up. Her strategy had worked. She had survived her first fight.

#fanfiction #fourth wing fanfic #the empyrean fanfic #fourth wing #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #forged steel

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