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caroline-writes · 7 days 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 · 26 days 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 · 1 month ago

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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 · 2 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 · 2 months ago

Text

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 · 2 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 · 2 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 · 2 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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caroline-writes · 2 months ago

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

(WIP -Forged Steel)

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

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

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If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading

#the burning page #I am deliberately not reading sunrise on the reaping I know it is going to break me

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

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Chapter 4: Mixed messages

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/165469522

Imogen’s reply is petulant at best, “At little pain is character building. And realistically it will make it look like you are trying to fulfil the General’s request if she gets hurt every now and again.” something unpleasant grips Xaden’s heart but he can’t deny that she has a point. If he makes it look like he is trying to kill her they can buy themselves more time.

“I don’t like it.”

Imogen sneers in response, “You don’t have to like it, but you do have to remember that this woman is capable of ending all of our lives. You should be thanking me.” Xaden swallows shakily.

Chapter 4: Mixed messages

Xaden once again finds himself pacing backwards and forwards in his room. He is gripped with rage as well as anxiety this time. News had reached him that Imogen had broken both of Violet’s arms while sparring that day and he doesn’t want to think about the way his heart had flipped uncomfortably at the information. He had no real attachment to this woman beyond her mother’s instruction to kill her and her brother’s insistence that he do the opposite. Garrick opens the door and steps inside, the first to arrive as usual he regards his oldest friend and chews on his lip in thought before speaking.

“What about her has got you so tied up in knots?” his question is clear and he doesn’t need to clarify which ‘her’ he is referring to.

Xaden’s gaze is on him in a second and a breath hisses between his teeth in exasperation, “I don’t- I can’t work her out. I don’t understand how a mother could order her child’s death.”

“So, she’s a puzzle you want to solve?” Garrick can tell that it is so much more than that but he wants to see how honest Xaden will be.

“Yes, no...I don’t know. Brennan said she will be able to help us in so many ways.” The door behind Garrick opens and Bodhi walks in his expression grim.

“And there’s no chance he’s just saying that so you’ll save his precious sister?” Garrick asks the question that has been lingering in the back of Xaden’s mind ever since he spoke to the eldest Sorrengail sibling.

Liam and Imogen step into the room at last and Xaden turns away, “I’ve been wondering the same. We don’t know anything about her beyond her apparent physical frailties.”

Garrick decides playing devil’s advocate isn’t for him as he adds, “Brennan isn’t a liar, not when it comes to something as serious as the war.”

Xaden sighs and turns back towards his friends, Imogen is pointedly not making eye contact with him, “Why did you do it?” his tone is bored but there is something injured about the way he asks. He had made it clear to everyone in this room that despite the General’s request they weren’t going to kill her.

“I don’t like it.”

Imogen sneers in response, “You don’t have to like it, but you do have to remember that this woman is capable of ending all of our lives. You should be thanking me.” Xaden swallows shakily.

“So, we use this idea to buy us time.” Liam’s voice is small as he whittles a wooden figurine in the corner, “Then what? We get her out? We damn ourselves in the process?”

“We’ll use Quinn’s signet to make it look like she’s dead. Have enough witnesses for it to make people believe then we get her out.” Bodhi suggests with something that looks like hope shining in his eyes.

Imogen’s own eyes flash dangerously at him, “And how are you going to convince Quinn to do that?”

“I’m not,” Bodhi pauses his own look turning fierce, “you are.”

Imogen’s laugh is loud and unpleasant, “You can get fucked. I’m not dragging her into this. Making her an accomplice is so dangerous.”

“We’re all in fucking danger Imogen.” Xaden snaps and his shadows flare around him, “Being here is fucking dangerous if you hadn’t noticed. Please work with us and find out if she will help.” he sighs and tries to regain control of his emotions, his friends look startled, “General Sorrengail is threatening every single one of us and I need to work out why. I need everyone to be on my side for this. Please.” The last word is as close to desperate as Xaden Riorson has ever sounded. The group all begins to nod, Imogen eventually adding her own curt nod in agreement. The room clears slowly leaving Xaden with Garrick once more.

“I’ve never seen you so shaken...not since-” his father was killed; the thought remains unspoken between them but Xaden knows what he had meant to say.

“It weighs heavier now than it did when she made these marks on my skin.”

“You didn’t have to-”

“Of course I did. My father’s revolution, my responsibility. Navarre would have punished every last one of us if I hadn’t stood up and taken their lives as my own.” his voice has dropped to a whisper, “Do you think Imogen will forgive me?”

Garrick frowns and feels his heart clench painfully in his chest as Xaden looks up at him with wounded eyes, “She may not understand it now, but if this Sorrengail girl proves to be as useful as her brother thinks...Imogen will work through it and will be fine.”

There are voices and movement and lights passing across Violet’s vision. She is being held tightly against someone’s chest as voices keep trying to talk to her. Pain flares white hot in her arms as she is placed on a hard bed. The blissful pull of unconsciousness drags her under once more.

When consciousness graces Violet once more she is aware of the scratchy sheets brushing her cheek and murmured voices a short distance away. She opens her eyes and feels her heart flutter as she sees the concerned gaze of her oldest friend, she wants to greet him and ask why he has been so distant when she sees him stiffen, standing straighter as if a string had been attached to his spine and pulled achingly taught.

Colonel Aetos steps into her view and whispers something to his son. Dain’s eyes pull away from his friend, he frowns avoiding the gaze of his father before removing himself from the room.

The message sent by this short interaction was clear, Dain was being kept away from her by his father for some reason. Violet didn’t have more time to dwell on this thought as one of the healers stepped in, followed by Nolon. His kind face offered Violet a sympathetic smile.

“Dear dear. You again Violet.” he had always been mending her, with her hypermobile joints and propensity for breaking bones, she had needed his services more often than most in the five years she had lived at the college before entering the quadrant.

“Me again.” her voice cracks slightly and she clears her throat, “Two broken arms this time I’m afraid.” she tells him with an attempt at humour.

Nolon glances down at her arms and frowns, “This isn’t what I would expect to see from a scribe?” something that feels like longing lances through Violet it appears he didn’t know.

Violet offers him a small smile, “No, not becoming of a scribe to break both arms. More common for those in the rider’s quadrant who don’t really know how to spar yet.”

With a small intake of breath Nolon nods, “I see, I suppose you and I will be seeing each other fairly regularly then.” Violet hoped beyond hope that, that wouldn’t be the case but she wasn’t stupid. She knew that she was more likely than most to need mending. “Well, let’s get started shall we?” he phrased it like a question but didn’t wait for her to respond as his hands move over where the obviously broken bone is.

A healer shoves a strap of leather between Violet’s teeth, “Bite down.” The scream that rips from her throat is only slightly muffled. White hot agony slices down her arms and across her shoulders. She knows pain, she is friends with it but mending never gets easier. Tears leak steadily from her eyes as the pain continues growing hotter and brighter. She’ll pass out again soon of that she is sure, the pain is causing spots of darkness in her vision and sure enough thirty-seconds later Violet’s body tenses once more before going lax as consciousness eludes her.

When Violet wakes again it is dark outside, she whimpers as pain dances beneath her skin. Nolon takes a few steps closer to her bed, “Ah good. The mending went well, but as I am sure you remember you’ll be in some pain for a few days.” Violet nods slowly tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. “Your squad mate refused to leave,” Violet’s heart leaps in her chest at the thought that Dain might have come back to give her some explanation, “she wanted to wait for you to wake up but it seems exhaustion got the better of her.”

Disappointment crushes her slightly before she smiles to herself as she glances at Rhiannon who has curled herself into a ball in an uncomfortable looking chair, “She’s a good friend.” Violet rasps as she tries to quell the disquiet in her heart. Rhiannon stirs and Nolon excuses himself, “Hey there sleepy head.” Violet greets.

“That was supposed to be my line.” Rhiannon groans as she flexes like a cat stretching herself out before gazing over at Violet with concern written all over her face, “Once Aetos grabbed you I was worried he’d try and hide you away or something. He looked so worried Vi.”

Violet grunts in pain as she shuffles herself into a sitting position, “He didn’t even stay long enough to talk to me. I saw his dad talking to him and he scuttled off.” Violet is sure she hasn’t managed to hide the pain in her voice. She and Rhiannon had already discussed her confusion at how he was treating her but now she was confused. For him to have rushed her to the infirmary but then slipped away without a word. He was giving her mixed messages.

“So how are we going to handle challenges starting next week?” Rhiannon asked her tone serious.

Violet sighs, “I wish I knew. Maybe you can train me? Help me out in the gym so that I don’t die?”

Rhiannon laughs before remembering something, “Oh, this was waiting for you on your bed by the way.” Rhiannon hands Violet a wrapped package.

Violet frowns as she reaches for it, post as a first year was an impossibility, “You’re sure it isn’t a death note or something?” Violet asks as she tears into the paper carefully. The book that falls onto her lap is a journal and Violet instantly recognises the handwriting on the front.

A note floats out and lands on top, “I don’t want to be an only child. Hopefully Brennan’s words can help you as much as they helped me.” Mira’s cursive is neat and beautiful. Violet moves the note to one side as she examines the book more closely.

“What is it?” Violet almost jumps at the sound of Rhiannon’s voice.

“It’s a journal, something my brother wrote and then gifted to my sister. She must’ve hidden it so that it wouldn’t get burnt when he died.” That alone causes Violet’s heart to skip a beat the idea that her sister would go against the god of death himself to save something made her heart swell with pride. She thought of her own book saved from fire and smiles.

Violet carefully begins to thumb through the book, Rhiannon’s voice drifts to her as her eyes scan the pages, “It’s sometimes nice to keep something from the flames. I understand how hard it is to let go.” Violet tears her eyes from the page to look at her friend for a moment, she knows with a hundred percent certainty that had her mother caught a whiff of this book’s existence she would have torn it from Mira’s grasp and dashed it into the nearest fire. Sentimentality was for the weak. “I’ll let you get some rest.” Rhiannon doesn’t sound entirely convinced that, resting is what Violet will be doing as she continues to flip through the book.

‘You survived the parapet. Good.’ Violet’s eyes scan the page and she gasps as her eyes settle on a map that her brother has drawn. An excitement begins to flutter in her chest as she continues on to the end of the page. Brennan had encouraged Mira to find out who would be challenging her before the challenge took place, so she could prepare.

Violet knew what she had to do.

Violet makes plans to start the next night. Once the barracks are quiet and she is sure that everyone has fallen asleep Violet dons her cloak and slips out hopefully unseen. The darkness of night swallows Violet whole as she creeps out of the barracks and out past the flight field towards the river. She knew there were some plants which grew on the riverbank that could be combined to make a poison which would make anyone nauseous and knock anyone off their fighting game.

The search in the dark is difficult but eventually Violet manages to collect a handful of berries. Voices drift towards Violet and she sees several people heading towards her. Panic flares in her chest as she glances back towards the college, there is no way she can get back without being seen. She backs up slightly until she hits the trunk of a tree. She glances up at it and winces at the idea of climbing it. It is her only option. Violet clambers gracelessly up the trunk her shoulder screaming in pain as she lifts herself into the higher branches.

The group of people have reached the base of the tree, it is a group of marked ones. She can see the pink haired one who snapped her arms and a few others she recognises as Xaden Riorson moves to stand at the base of the tree.

‘Fuck, fuck, fuck.’ Violet feels that even if she breathes too loudly, he is going to hear her. She has to regulate her heart, or she’s going to faint and fall right out of this tree on top of them. Her palms are clammy and slip slightly against the tree trunk, she bites her lip to prevent the hiss of pain that is desperate to slip through her lips.

All of the marked ones are gathered in black cloaks, clearly, she isn’t the only one not wanting to be seen tonight. There is a rule that marked ones aren’t allowed to be together in groups of more than three at any one time. The reasoning for that is that because of their rebellion relic Melgren could not see the outcome of anything they are involved in if three or more of them are together.

Voices drift up to where Violet is perched, Violet wonders briefly if she has somehow managed to gatecrash a secret meeting of the marked ones planning to sunder the college completely. Or if Xaden was planning on picking up where his father left off.

Instead, it seems that the older marked ones appear to be giving the younger ones advice. It all seems harmless enough until one of them pipes up with; “When do we get to kill Violet Sorrengail?”

Her heart stutters and she is proud of the strength she has built up as she manages not to drop out of the tree in shock. Imogen’s green eyes narrow slightly as she turns to Xaden who has gone deathly still, “Yeah Xaden when do we get our revenge?”

“I told you already,” there is a pause as he turns to Imogen, from her vantage point Voilet cannot see his face but she can’t imagine that he is smiling, “the youngest Sorrengail is mine, and I’ll handle her when the time is right.” Xaden’s voice is cold and clear as it meets Violet’s ears. Her hands begin to shake and the prospect. “In the meantime, steer clear of her. Train when you can and make sure you do everything in your power to make sure you survive until threshing.” there are a few muttered words of assent as Xaden dismisses the group.

Violet waits, she waits until she is sure every last cloaked figure has finally disappeared up the hill and back towards the college. Once she is sure she is alone she slides down the trunk ignoring the way her hands protest at the roughness of the bark, she checks her precious cargo before striding carefully back towards the college herself.

She has barely taken two steps before a shadow from behind her moves lightening quick and Violet finds herself with a forearm biting into her neck and her body pressed against the hard planes of a body. An involuntary squeak is all she manages as a voice whispers into her ear, “Scream and you die.”

She knows instantly that the voice belongs to Xaden Riorson and Violet wonders if anyone will find her body, he pushes her away from him satisfied that she isn’t about to scream, “What the fuck?” she mutters staggering a few steps. “How did you know I was there?”

Xaden quirks his scarred eyebrow at her, he twirls a knife before allowing his hand to drop. The knife stays, held up by bands of shadow, “Did mommy dearest not warn you about me?” Xaden knows taunting her about her mom is dangerous. He wants to know how deep the resentment goes. He watches as pain flashes through her hazel eyes, but she refuses to rise to the bait.

“You’re a shadow wielder. I guess that explains a few things.” she mutters. “So, are you going to handle me now, or later?”

He winces, “You heard that.”

She nods slowly.

He pulls a face, “Now I might really have to kill you. Eavesdropping really is a deadly occupation around here.”

Violet pulls out her own dagger as she watches him sheath the one, he had been twirling, “I won’t go down without a fight!” she grits out, if this is her one stand she’s going to make sure it is worth her while.

If it is possible Xaden looks even more disinterested, “I’m not going to fight you.” he replies and turns to move half a step away from her. Violet narrows her eyes at him and then throws her dagger. Xaden feels it pass by his hand, “You missed.” again not even a flicker of emotion on his face.

“Did I?” she asks.

Xaden frowns and moves to take another step, his cloak is pinned to the bark of the tree that she had been in, “Interesting.” Voilet’s blood begins to boil, it isn’t the first time he has used the word when commenting on something she has done, “You look all breakable and frail, but you really are a violent little thing.” something crosses his face that almost looks like he is impressed. A shadow then moves to pull the blade from the trunk of the tree before it delicately hands it back to her, “You should show that trick to Jack Barlowe. But maybe get something on him, I think he really intends to end you.”

Violet looks at him in confusion, “And that honour belongs to you?”

This time he doesn’t rise to the bait, “Are you going to tell anyone about my little meeting here?”

“No.”

She watches as his eyes widen for a fraction of a second, “You really are an enigma. I guess I owe you then.” he tells her as he begins to walk away back towards the college.

“So, you aren’t going to handle me tonight then?” she asks and for some reason as she utters the words her cheeks redden at the mere thought of him ‘handling’ her.

There is laughter in his voice as he replies, “Not tonight. Now get to bed before your wingleader knows you’re out of bed.”

She bites back a sarcastic reply before scurrying away towards the barracks.

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

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

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Chapter 3: Cold shoulder

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/164902267

The pain comes then in waves which cause Violet’s vision to fade at the edges. She tips slightly into Rhiannon’s side, the taller girl supports her, “Hey, you, okay?” she asks her expression now concerned.

Chapter 3: Cold shoulder

Now on the other side of the parapet Violet allows herself a moment. She makes sure she places herself as far away from Jack Barlowe as she can to take stock of her aching body. Her knee is beginning to swell and her shoulder is aching from the roll she somehow managed to perform. Her hand is still clenched tightly around her dagger, she sees Rhiannon approaching with a warm smile and quickly sheaths it.

“You made it!” her beautiful face is bright with the smile that reaches her eyes. Violet is taken aback by the obvious show of affection. She tries not to flinch as Rhiannon’s arms wrap around her as she pulls her into a tight hug. “We made it!” she amends whispering into Violet’s shoulder.

Violet allows herself a shaky laugh as she realises that she has in fact made it and despite Jack’s threats to end her life she had in fact made it across the parapet. She begins shivering, she isn’t sure if it is because of the cold or if it is a result of the adrenaline currently leeching from her system.

As Rhiannon lets her go, she looks around at her surroundings for the first time. Basgiath has been her home for many years but she has never been here before. Standing atop the highest part, the view from here across the rest of the college is unparalleled. Violet can’t help herself as she moves to look out over the edge. The storm is now a distant memory and the bright sunlight that beats down upon them warms Violet slightly.

“I need to sit.” Violet grits out, Rhiannon pulls her straight towards a bench and pushes Violet into a sitting position. Her vision swims and saliva fills her mouth as nausea causes her stomach to somersault. The concern in Rhiannon’s brown eyes is a great contrast to the disdain that she sees in the pair of another brown eyes. Violet feels her heart skip a beat as she meets them, the recognition she sees there is masked by anger almost as quickly.

“Dain.” she whispers his name almost reverently and in seconds her face is cradled in his hands.

“You shouldn’t be here.” he whispers as he looks deeply into her eyes. Violet winces slightly feeling like she is about to vomit.

“I feel sick.” she replies trying to swallow back the bile which rises into her throat. Dain’s hands move quickly and help her to bend at the waist and put her head between her knees.

Dain then quickly removes his hand from her almost as if he is remembering something, “You really shouldn’t be here.” he repeats slowly, “How are your knees?” he asks glancing over her.

“Swelling with every second. I hit the parapet pretty hard.” she tells her old friend offering him a small smile, he does not reciprocate, “What’s going on?” there’s something off about him and she’s sure that it can’t just be the changes he has experienced while being here for a year. He was angry when he first saw her and while he has asked about her injuries, he seemed different. “It’s good to see you.” she tries to start a conversation with him but he shakes his head and pushes to his feet.

“I have responsibilities I need to fulfil. Try not to die.” Violet feels her heart drop like a stone in her chest as she watches him walk away, he ruffles his own brown hair as he walks away taking with him a small part of Violet’s heart. They had always been close, best friends even before he had come here but his cold reception is a little too much for Violet to bare.

Rhiannon had given them some space when she had seen Dain come over, she settles in to sit beside Violet now, “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asks motioning to the way Violet is holding herself.

Her shoulder aches as she rolls it slowly testing her pack to see if it will carry the weight, it will hold but it will definitely hurt and tomorrow is going to be hell. Her knees shoot pain down her shins and up to her hips, “I’m fucked,” Violet mutters before offering Rhiannon a small smile, “but that’s nothing new. Tomorrow everything is going to hurt but I’ll deal.” The concern has not left Rhiannon’s eyes as she nods slowly.

“So, who was that guy?” Rhi asks as the move towards where the other cadets have gathered.

Violet is sure that her face has fallen as sadness seeps into her every pore, “He is, was, my best friend before he came here.” she pauses allowing herself an indulgent look back at him, “We grew up together, his father and my mother were often stationed together. But he’s never been this cold with me. I-I don’t know what changed.”

Rhiannon offers her a sympathetic smile, “Maybe he was overwhelmed by the day? I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.” while her words offer comfort her expression seems to hold doubt. She saw their exchange. Despite how he had gripped her face in his hands he seemed to offer her no other comfort which did not seem to be the actions of a ‘best friend’ or even any friend.

The cadets all gather in the courtyard, Xaden Riorson gazes across the group, his onyx eyes settle on Violet for a fraction of a second before moving away once more. He steps over to another third year and points at the scroll in her hand. She nods a few times and scribbles a few things across the scroll. Xaden steps away his head held high and hands clasped casually behind his back. He is the picture of nonchalance but Violet cannot pull her gaze away from him. Names are called out as cadets are placed into wings and squads. One of the people on the makeshift stage steps down and whispers something in Dain’s ear. His back stiffens and his eyes shift over the group, his expression is sour before he nods.

Second squad, flame section, fourth wing. Both Violet and Rhiannon are placed there and Violet feels the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as she realises two things. One is that she is in Dain’s squad and the second his that Xaden Riorson is now her wingleader. She isn’t sure which piece of information makes her heart plummet more. Xaden’s onyx and gold flecked eyes are on her again but his face is a mask of indifference or the indifference is genuine and he truly thinks nothing of her.

His gaze shifts away as he opens his mouth to speak, “You are all cadets now.” his voice carries over them all echoing off the stone, “Take a look at your squad. There are the only people guaranteed by Codex not to kill you.” Violet isn’t sure if she imagines it but his eyes meet hers again before quickly moving away, “But just because they can’t end your life doesn’t mean others won’t. You want a dragon? Earn one.” there is a pause as silence falls as he finishes speaking. The silence is then punctuated by a whooshing sound that is steady and rhythmic and before Violet can wonder what would cause such a sound, she sees them. Xaden speaks again, bellowing now to be louder than the sound of wings as the dragons approach, “And I bet you feel pretty badass right now don’t you first-years.” Violet isn’t sure ‘bad-ass’ is the word. Queasy would probably have covered it, a cheer erupts from around her, “You feel invincible after the parapet, don’t you?” Violet’s eyes track a massive dragon and a few gasps around her let her know that others have noticed now as well, Rhiannon stiffens in front of her as her eyes widen in awe. “You think you’re untouchable! You’re on the way to becoming the elite! The few! The chosen!”

“They’re beautiful.” Rhiannon’s voice is small even as she raises it above the cheers which are continuing.

“They’re terrifying.” Violet whispers, someone behind her screams as a massive daggertail lands above them on the edge of some stonework which cracks slightly beneath the weight.

A blast of heat follows the scream and Violet knows that someone had started to run. A dragon had apparently not taken too kindly to the display of fear and had removed the cadet from this world. A few more screams and blasts of heat follow, Violet finds Rhiannon’s hand in hers squeezing tightly, she finds herself feeling grateful that if she didn’t have Dain at least she had Rhiannon to watch her back.

A few more names to add to the death roll. A list would be read out to them all the next morning and Violet felt that it would be longer than some lists in the past. The group of cadets that she now stood amongst seemed less than the usual number but still probably many more than there would be dragons willing to bond. She casts an eye over her competition silently wondering how she would be able to take any of these people on, on the mats.

Xaden paces his bedroom slowly as he waits for his friends to arrive, his heart has been racing since the parapet. His palms are clammy and he jumps slightly as there is knock at the door. He pulls it open, and the concerned face of his cousin greets him, Bodhi is followed into the room by Imogen, Garrick and the fresh-faced Liam who grins at Xaden before barrelling into him for a hug.

Xaden’s anxiety is momentarily forgotten as he wraps his arms around his brother and hugs him tightly, “Did you grow in the two weeks since I last saw you?” Liam pulls away so that Xaden can see him dramatically rolling his eyes.

Liam doesn’t give him a verbal response as he takes a seat on the floor in front of the bed. Garrick’s expression is guarded as he regards his oldest friend, “So what’s going on Xaden? Does this meeting have anything to do with the reason you made a flying visit home a week ago?” the room suddenly feels very small as all eyes are on him in a second. The mood has shifted away from the joy of having Liam with them to unease.

He exhales slowly before lowering himself into a seat, “Yeah it does.” he sighs again as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has the lives of 107 people on them which often feels like the world, he feels his scars tingle and takes a deep breath. “On the day that I took responsibility for the marked ones, Lilith Sorrengail said that she would ask me for a favour at a certain point in the future.” he pauses as Garrick and Bodhi nod, they remember Xaden mentioning this in the past, “She has asked me to fulfil the favour now. That favour is killing her youngest daughter and making it look like an accident.”

Imogen snorts leaning back against the wall from her position on the bed, “I’ll do it.” she volunteers her green eyes flashing in delight at the thought of being able to put an end to a Sorrengail.

“We can’t.” Xaden tells her with a serious expression. Imogen frowns so Xaden clarifies, “I know it will make you feel better to end a Sorrengail but clearly her mother won’t be hurt by her death, so you aren’t striking a blow against her. Besides Brennan thinks that her brain will be a massive help in the coming war.”

“While I trust Aisereigh as much as you do, surely his opinion will be biased?” Garrick asks his brow furrowing in concern, “General Sorrengail is unlikely to allow you to slip out of this favour. She’ll hurt our people if you don’t follow through, or she’ll ask someone else to do, or she’ll do both.” Other heads around the room nod in agreement.

“I know you’re right, but we can’t just kill her.” Xaden says with a grimace, “I need you to help me. I need to make it look like we’re trying to kill her, but we also need to make sure that no one else does. If she survives to Threshing and bonds a dragon-”

“Doubtful.” Imogen pipes up with an unconvinced look on her face, “Did you see her? She looks like a strong wind could snap her in half.”

Xaden’s gold flecked eyes flick over to Imogen in annoyance as he continues, “if she bonds a dragon, we get her out of here and take her to her brother.”

Garrick looks at Xaden like he has grown an extra head, “How the fuck is that supposed to solve anything? Her mother isn’t stupid, making her a traitor is just going to give her an excuse to go looking for trouble and by trouble, I mean Aretia!”

“Then help me think of a better plan!” Xaden replies trying not to sound frustrated.

“She dies and we lose nothing Xaden.” Imogen’s response is cold and accompanied with an unbothered shrug.

“Why does her mother want her dead in the first place?” Garrick wonders his hazel eyes narrow slightly as he allows the cogs in his head to turn, “What did she say when she told you to kill her?”

Xaden allows himself a breath slightly relieved that they aren’t all actively calling for the death of the youngest Sorrengail, “She said that ‘Violet is weak, and she will fail’. Now she could have said that because that is her reason for wanting her daughter dead or there’s something else that she didn’t share. When I spoke to Brennan, he said that at fourteen she was the most intelligent person he had ever met. We can’t just let a mind like that go to waste.”

“At the expense of our people Xaden?” Imogen is angry now, her green eyes narrow as her cheeks flush, “You,” she is up on her feet and poking a finger into his chest, “can do whatever you want, but I will not help you keep the child of that monster alive.” she growls and pushes him out of her way to get to the door. She pulls it open with all of the rage she can muster before slamming it behind her.

The room sits in silence for a few beats after her exit, “She’ll calm down.” Garrick says after a painfully long pause.

“How can we make sure we don’t draw too much attention to what we’re trying to do?” Bodhi ever the voice of reason meets his cousin’s eyes with something akin to hope shining in Xaden’s onyx ones.

Violet’s first few days at Basgiath felt like a whirlwind of new names and faces and by the third day Violet’s knees are aching in a way that makes her teeth hurt. The pain has radiated up her body and has caused an almighty headache to throb painfully behind her eyes. Battle brief is a struggle as concentration eludes her. Sweat beads against her brow as she tries desperately to listen to professor Devera. The room is packed to the rafters and Violet feels claustrophobic with the number of people in here. Every first, second and third year has been packed into the room and Violet is aware that there are more than a few people in here who want to see her dead.

Violet could feel eyes on her and a nudge at her shoulder drew her focus for a second, “You look like you’re about to vomit, what’s going on?” Rhiannon’s voice is urgent and worried and as she says the words Violet feels her stomach perform a painful somersault.

“My body is in full revolt mode after the first few days. I need a rest.” Violet whispers back swallowing back the bile which rises in her throat.

Rhiannon gives her a serious look, “We’re in the gym today.”

“I know.”

“You’re in trouble.”

“I know.” Violet deadpans as Dain turns from his position in front of her and scowls as he places his finger firmly against his lips before returning his attention to the front of the room. The glare in his eyes hurt Violet more than she would care to admit. Whatever had gone before, their friendship lay somewhere in the past entirely in tatters and Violet didn’t know why.

Battle brief drags on and Violet does everything in her power to make notes and focus but with the throbbing pain in her skull and the persistent aching in her knees it is more difficult than usual. As they are finally dismissed Rhi pats her shoulder and promises to give her a copy of her notes.

Half an hour later Violet is scouring the notes Rhiannon has taken with a horrified look on her face, Rhi is watching as Ridoc and Aurelie square up to one another on the mat. The notes that Rhiannon has taken seem to imply that an attack near the village of Chakir in the Esben Mountains. The wards were faltering, Violet added a few of her own notes to Rhiannon’s as fear gripped her lungs with an icy tightness. Violet looks up from the notes as there is some commotion on the mats.

People are shouting and someone is shoving a man away from the mat where a cadet lies dead. Violet knows without really even looking that Jack is responsible, his voice is loud and clearly distinguishable from the clamouring mob, “How was I supposed to know his neck was that weak?” he crowed loudly something akin to pride shining in his icy blue eyes as they search the room and find Violet’s instantly. He doesn’t need to drag a finger across his throat or mouth the words the message is clear without. Another threat against her life made just by his eye contact.

Emetterio appears unmoved as he waves a hand instructing some third years to remove the corpse before pointing directly at Rhiannon and another first year from their squad. He has dark blue-black hair and his stocky build means the top of his head is level with Rhiannon’s nose.

Rhiannon is quick and despite the fact that this other first year is much broader than her she soon has a knee in his back and is pulling one of his arms straight behind him. His face is in the mat and he is refusing the yield.

Despite his earlier indifference Emetterio steps in and calls out, “He yields.” putting an end to the bout. Violet flashes Rhiannon a proud grin before glancing back down at the notes before she realises that Emetterio has called her name before pointing to a second year with pink hair and angry green eyes.

“Shit.” Violet mutters under her breath.

She catches Rhiannon’s gaze, “You’ve got this.” her tone is not one of conviction and Violet doesn’t blame her for not believing it.

The pink haired woman before her stretches her arms before putting her fist into her hand and cracking her knuckles full of threat and menace. Violet winces at the way her knuckles crack thinking of the pain that would lance through her own hands were she to attempt something similar.

“Sorrengail,” her tone is ice as she moves towards the mat, “your mother murdered my family.”

Violet swallows as her eyes drift to the rebellion relic which curls around her forearm, “I am not my mother.” Violet bites out, she has no love for the woman who birthed her but Imogen doesn’t know this to her Violet is an embodiment of every wrong doing that Lilith Sorrengail has ever perpetuated and hurting Violet surely hurts Lilith.

Imogen lunges forward ignoring Violet’s words, she swings wildly allowing her anger to make her attacks wild enough that Violet can duck and dodge the attack. Imogen growls a low and feral noise as she steps closer to Violet, she brings her knee up and it connects with her stomach as her arm comes down on Violet’s back. With the wind knocked from her she staggers back trying to regain her bearings, she doesn’t have the time to do so as Imogen surges forward again and something hard presses against her armour. Violet’s eyes catch the glint of a blade and Violet realises she had tried to stab her. Thank you, Mira.

Imogen’s expression morphs from rage to confusion then back to rage as she swings a punch again. This time Violet sees stars and tastes metal as she spits blood onto the mat. Violet’s vision is double, and she swings a punch of her own, clipping the edge of Imogen’s chin she feels her knuckle crunch slightly as pain flares anew. As Violet is still seeing double Imogen forges on taking advantage, she spins grabbing one of Violet’s arms and twisting as she forces Violet face down onto the mat. Pain is all that Violet has ever known and in this moment her old friend is roaring to life in her shoulders and her ribs and her head. The headache from before now a thousand times worse. Voices begin to shout around her and Violet is sure she is being encouraged to yield.

But she can’t. She can’t be what her mother always said. She can’t be weak and even as Imogen pulls both of her arms from their sockets she doesn’t yield. She remains stoically silent as she hears Emetterio calling the match himself, “She yields, that is enough.” his voice has returned to that dull disinterested tone from before.

Violet thinks then that the pain will abate but Imogen pulls one final time and the sound of snapping bone is then met with several shouts of rage before the swift darkness of unconsciousness rushes up to meet her.

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

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

Text

Chapter 2: The storm rages

“Interesting.” is all he says before he steps towards the archway which leads towards the parapet.

What the hell did that mean? She wonders to herself. What was interesting about her? Was it just the fact that she was here or was he commenting on her small stature and weak body. Insecurity grips her and her palms suddenly feel sweaty.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/164685049

Chapter 2: The storm rages

There isn’t a single cloud in the sky as Violet shifts her heavy pack trying to evenly distribute the weight of it across her shoulders so that it doesn’t drag her down. Violet fidgets with the straps twice more before huffing out a sigh and shifting the bag from her shoulders and placing it on the floor. The relief she feels as the bag is removed is instantaneous. It is too heavy. She is sure that if she wears it while trying to cross the parapet she will overbalance and fall to her death. She starts to pull items from the bag placing them one by one on the floor of the room that would soon no longer be her bedroom.

A creak of a floorboard behind her tells her she is being watched; she glances over one shoulder before gasping. Violet abandons the bag and leaps to her feet, he knees creak and pop at the sudden movement, but she cannot bring herself to care as she throws herself into her sister’s arms, “Nice to see you too sis.” Violet can hear Mira’s smile in her voice as she wraps her arms tightly around her younger sister and gives her a quick tight squeeze. She glances over Violet's shoulder and sighs, “You weren’t really thinking you could take seven books with you, were you?”

Violet winces before pulling away from her sister, “Just a few essential books. These are all important.” she tells her holding up two for her sister to see.

“You can still access the archives you know, you don’t need to take half of it with you.” Mira smirks as she kneels starting to repack her sister’s bag.

She removes all the books and smiles to herself as Violet snatches one back and places it back inside, “It is the only thing I have left of dad. She’ll probably burn it if she finds it. I imagine she’ll be burning my whole room the moment I’m out of it.”

A pained look crosses Mira’s face as she is reminded of the broken relationship that Violet has with their mother, “I got you a gift.” she decides now is as good time as any, and the distraction might help her heart heal some, “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

Violet eyes her sister suspiciously for a moment before closing her eyes and holding her hands out for her, there is a pause before something cold and smooth is placed in her hands. Violet’s eyes snap open and she examines the gift that is sitting against her palms. “What is...is this dragon scale?” she asks as she holds it up closer to look at.

Mira’s mouth quirks up at one side as she nods, “I should’ve known you’d work it out straight away. You should put it on.” she tells her holding out a hand for the armour which Violet reluctantly hands back before shimming out of her clothes. Mira helps her to pull on the corset and pulls it tight, “You’ll need to be able to put this on and take this off yourself.”

Violet nods and reaches her arms behind her, “I am still freakishly flexible.” she reminders her sister as she pulls the ribbons of the corset tight and slowly begins to loop them into a bow. Once she is done, she stretches her fingers, wiggling them to return blood flow to them. “Are these Teine’s scales.” she asks as she brushes her fingers lighting along the scales carefully.

“Yeah, I was stationed with a guy whose signet meant he could make things smaller, or bigger.” she paused and winked, Violet grimaced at the thought, “Took a while to collect them all but eventually I had enough to make you a piece of armour.” Mira taps her knuckles against it gently, “No weapon is getting through that.” she tells her sister with a smile. Mira’s smile is short lived as she looks at her sister’s unruly hair, “You should’ve cut it.” she mutters before turning her sister around, Violet steadies herself on the back of a chair as Mira begins to braid, pulling the strands together before twisting and elegantly curling it around her head into a crown. “At least like this it might be out of your face.”

“Have you seen her?” Violet’s voice is small as she asks after their mother.

Mira’s expression grows cold as she shakes her head, “I suppose she didn’t come and see you either?” Violet shakes her head in response, “No, I’m not sure I could look my daughter in the eye after ripping away her chosen future either.” Mira had pleaded Violet’s case to their mother multiple times over and had done nothing to manage to sway her, “I’m sorry about this Vi.” Mira cups her sister’s cheek and presses her forehead against her, “I have a few more gifts for you.” she whispers as she pulls away.

“Is this your way of trying to keep me alive?” Violet asked her eyes still sad.

“Well, someone’s got to.” she pulls out of sheaths by her thigh two daggers and places them in sheaths by Violet’s own thighs, “I need you to take off those boots. If you wear those you will definitely slip and fall to your death. You need boots with grip and a tread.” Mira pulls from her own pack a pair of rubbed soled boots that have a deep tread designed to grip. Once Mira is satisfied that Violet is as well-equipped as she can be for the treacherous journey across the parapet, she pulls her sister into a tight hug. “Please don’t make me an only child.” she whispers into her sister’s hair.

“I’ll try.” Violet huffs as she pulls away. A bell chimes loudly in the distance and Violet looks up with fear and determination on her face, “Time to go.” Violet dragged her feet as they left the room. She glanced backwards over her shoulder once more before closing the door and stepping out towards the outside.

“Keep low if you can. Your small so have a low centre of gravity, standing taller could get you knocked off by a strong breeze.” Mira is giving her helpful advice but Violet isn’t sure she can take in half of the words that her sister is saying. Her heart is hammering angrily against her ribs, it feels like it is trying to make a bid for freedom as it does so. Mira pulls Violet to a stop and practically shakes her, “Use your brain.” she taps the side of her head and Violet lifts a hand to push her away, “You are the single most intelligent person I have ever met. Use all those book smarts and make sure that you live.”

Violet nods as determination sets her brow into a frown, she can see up ahead of them a line of candidates waiting to ascend the stairs before crossing the parapet to become cadets. If possible, Violet feels that her heart beat quickens even more. Her palms are immediately slick with sweat as she glances above to the narrow bridge she will have to cross very soon.

“Don’t make me an only child.” Mira reminds her again as she gives her a gentle shove towards the group waiting at the base of the tower.

Violet sighs nodding to herself before marching with determination towards the tower, she joins a queue standing behind a boy who is nervously bouncing from one foot to the other and a beautiful girl, her dark eyes turn towards Violet as she greets her, “I think I imagined it would be wider.” she whispers conspiratorially to Violet who smiles.

“I wish I could say the same. I’ve always been aware of exactly how narrow the parapet is.” she extends a hand which the other girl grasps, the contrast between their skin is vast, the girl has dark brown skin which seems to make Violet’s look even more pale in comparison, “Violet.” she pauses considering not sharing her last name before adding it on, “Sorrengail.”

The woman’s eyes bulge, “Like the General? Like the rider?” she asks already having heard of both her mother and sister apparently.

Violet nods, “The very same.” she tells her with a grimace.

“I didn- sorry. Rhiannon Matthias. Me. I’m Rhiannon Matthias.” she introduces herself clunkily with a wide grin and Violet decides that she already really likes this girl. Violet glances down at the feet of the girl in front of her. The boots she is wearing have soles smoother than the ones that Mira had made Violet change.

“Hey, swap a boot with me?” Violet suggests showing Rhiannon the deep tread of her new boots.

Rhiannon frowns in confusion, “What...why would I do that?”

“Those boots are not going to give you any grip at all up there,” she pauses and glances up at the parapet just in time to see a candidate slip and fall, “I think you’ve got a better chance than I have up there but friends are hard to come by.” An alliance this early on certainly couldn’t hurt her. Rhiannon nodded slowly and removed one of her boots immediately swapping with Violet. They slowly made their way to the top of the tower together. Rhiannon shared a little about her family and Violet chose to stay tight lipped about her own.

“Name.” a bored looking rider said to Rhiannon.

She supplied her name and then stepped forward, as she did so she walked past perhaps the most beautiful man Violet had ever seen. His brown skin pulled taut over the muscles on his arms which were folded over his chest, a rebellion relic curled up his arm and tickled the underside of his jaw. His eyes, a deep onyx, were fixed on her in a way that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

The cadet who had asked Rhiannon's name turned then to Violet, “Name.”

“Violet Sorrengail.” the onyx eyed man’s gaze narrowed further as he stepped forward. He was definitely imposing she would give him that. There was something shimmering behind those eyes, and as he steps closer, she realises that the onyx depth are flecked with gold and she’s lost herself all over again.

“Riorson,” someone calls to him and he turns his head and her heart just about drops into her stomach, “you ready for the next one?” a scarred eyebrow lifts as he gives her the once over. Probably assessing her for a weakness that he could exploit. She looked again at his strong arms and an awful thought struck her, if he really wanted, he could pick her up and throw her off the parapet and no one would really care.

“Interesting.” is all he says before he steps towards the archway which leads towards the parapet.

“Ready to go?” Rhiannon’s voice pulls Violet from her internal monologue.

“As I’ll ever be.” Violet whispers back in response, Xaden’s eyes are glued to the floor, or more accurately they’re glued to Violet and Rhiannon’s mismatched boots.

An eyebrow quirks, “Are you friends?” he speaks again, this time directing the question to Rhiannon.

She shrugs, “We met downstairs, if we both make it across who knows.” she adds with a wink towards Violet.

Xaden’s eyes watch them both but he doesn’t make another comment. Violet watches as Rhiannon prepared to cross the parapet. She flexes her fingers before clenching them into fists as she shuffles along the first few steps before growing in confidence. Once she is half way Xaden motions for Violet to step up. The wind up here is much stronger than it was on the ground. Violet glances up at the sky, the clouds that swirl there are gathering quickly. Violet grits her teeth as the first drops of rain fall directly on her head.

Voices behind her draw her attention as a blond man starts pushing people to get closer to the front. Xaden places a strong hand on his chest holding him back as he nods at Violet to begin crossing. The few drops of rain have built in those few seconds, a torrential downpour has begun and Violet wonders if this is a manifestation of her own anxiety or if somewhere nearby her mother is fully aware that she is about to make her way across. The rain has soaked her to her skin in seconds, the weight of it causes her clothes to cling to her in an uncomfortable way. Violet is glad that Mira had thought to wrap her braid around her head this morning. The very idea of it being in her way in this moment causes her heart to skip painfully.

“Go Sorrengail.” a voice echos through the rain and Violet resists the urge that she has to tell him to ‘fuck off’, she glances behind herself once more and realises that Xaden’s eyes are narrowed as he watches her go. Her eyes flit to his hand on the younger man’s chest as he holds him in place, the man behind Xaden’s hand is definitely exerting some force, trying to test Xaden’s strength a little.

“Sorrengail?” the man Xaden is holding back stops resisting as his eyes fall on her. He is assessing her like a predator would his prey and Voilet feels her blood freeze in her veins. This man poses a real threat.

Violet exhales heavily turning her head around and focusing her mind on the task at hand. She takes a few uncertain steps onto the parapet, there are voices behind which she forces away from her. Her head begins to swim as she doesn’t dare to look down. She feels her pulse begin to climb and gasps in a few breaths as she starts whispering facts to herself, “The Continent is home to two kingdoms – and we’ve been at war for four hundred years,” she continues to recite as she moves a few more steps slowly but surely across the parapet, “Navarre, my home, is the larger kingdom, with six unique provinces. Tyrrendor, our southernmost and largest province, shares its border with the province of Krovla within the Poromiel kingdom.” With each word she feels her heart begin to slow. But even as it slows the wind picks up and a heavy gust pushes against Violet’s body, she is knocked off kilter and she wobbles slightly her arms shooting out to the sides to steady herself. She drops to her knees to try and brace herself and winces as the contact jars her kneecap in a way that causes tears to spring to her eyes.

Behind her Violet hears the sound of a scream and she hopes beyond hope that the man who had been looking at her like she was his next meal has fallen to his death. She chances a look over her shoulder and realises it is the opposite; it seems that the man who had been sizing her up had tossed someone else over the edge and was now stalking with purpose towards her.

“Fuck fuck fuck.” she whispers to herself as her hands scrape against the rough stone and knees slip and slide across the parapet refusing to find purchase, her heart rate climbs exponentially as even over the howling winds and lashing rain she is sure she can hear the footsteps of the man on her tail. She pushes herself up as thunder rolls above her and lightning flashes across the sky, the imprint of it stays even as Violet closes her eyes. The wind continues to whip against her aggressively, Violet braces herself against the wind, she lifts one arm to try and shield her eyes from the wind but it makes little difference.

Voilet’s face is soaked, and her vision is blurring as she forges ahead, she tries to remember where she had been in her facts her voice small as she continues her eyes glued to the end of the parapet, “Poromiel kingdom. To our east lie the remaining provinces of Braevick and Cygnisen, with the Esben Mountains providing a natural border.” her stomach plummets to somewhere well beneath her ribs as she realises, she must have reached the highest point she closes her eyes for a fraction of a second as she reminds herself that looking down right now would be an absolute disaster. She takes another step a second and then a third before another strong gust of wind knocks her off balance. Her pulse skyrockets and she corrects her posture almost too well as she feels herself tipping the other way. She knows she has little choice in this moment but to accept that she has to sink back to her knees. She tries to slow her descent but doesn’t manage to do much to stop the way her teeth jump in her jaw at the contact with the ground.

“SORRENGAIL.” the voice above the roaring in her ears is a million miles away and also right next to her. She knows that if she turns now, she’s dead so she crawls forwards desperately hoping that the awful driving rain and incredibly strong winds will slow down the man who is undoubtedly coming for her. She crawls forwards a few more paces before deciding that she had to stand. Her knees protest as she leans on one to stand. No time to think she pushes herself forwards, the end of the parapet is within her reach. She can make it, she has to make it.

“Focus, focus,” she mutters to herself, “within Navarre, Tyrrendor was the last of the bordering provinces to join the alliance and swear fealty to King Reginald.” She has to shout to even be able to hear herself over the wind and the rain, she winces as another peal of thunder seems to shake the very air around her, “It was also the only province to attempt secession six hundred and twenty-seven years later, which would have eventually left our kingdom defenceless had they been successful.” Violet chances a look up as she puts her arms out either side of her, she can just make out a shape through the rain. Rhiannon is ahead of her and it seems she has made it all the way across.

She breathes slow and steady trying to regulate her heart which is pounding out a wild rhythm in her chest. If she stops, she is dead. If she slows down, she is dead. If she glances over her shoulder, she is dead. Almost there. So close now. There is a movement over her left shoulder, fingers dripping with rain reaching to grab. Violet ducks, judges the distance she has left before dropping her shoulder and rolling, she winces at the pull in her shoulder as she retrieves a dagger from her sheath at her thigh and points it threatening at the man who is looming over her.

There is something cruel about his grin as he marches steadily towards her, Violet glances beneath her, “A long way down.” his voice drawls at her as he looks ready to pounce.

Not as far as he might think, a foot at best is all she needs to jump now. With a smile of her own Violet takes a step backwards her eyes never leaving his as she allows herself to fall the 12 inches down into a courtyard where two riders dressed in uniform wait. Perfect.

Her jaw jars again with the impact, she doesn’t have time to think to make her knees soft for the landing the dagger still gripped tightly in her hand held up towards this beast of a man. His blond hair now reminiscent of old porridge, grey in the dim light and sicking to his forehead. His eyes, now that he is close enough, are the colour of an icy lake almost as cold as his personality it would seem.

She looks at him with a pitying gaze, he seems to think that he can still break her neck in the presence of these riders, “It is unlawful for a rider to cause another harm. While in a quadrant formation or in the supervisory. Presence of a superior-ranking cadet.” She recites the words carefully; she may not have had enough time to train her body for being in the rider’s quadrant but that didn’t mean she hadn’t memorised the codex word for fucking word. He is still marching forwards with murder in his eyes, Violet lifts her blade and his steps stutter, he may have the high ground but she has a clean shot to castrating this man.

“I don’t give a shit about the fucking codex you weak-” his words are full of venom but they are just that, words and Violet has heard worse from her own mother.

“I suggest you reconsider...” she twitches the blade slightly and it is only at this moment that the blue-eyed man seems to realise that her blade is perilously close to his dick and balls. “I might slip.” the threat is clear.

The riders who had been watching the entire thing approach, “Name?” she has three silver four pointed stars embroidered on the shoulder of her cloak indicating that she is a third year. A very disinterested one at that. She barely bats an eye at the blade or its position.

Violet sighs, this is definitely about to be a thing again, “Violet, Violet Sorrengail.” the third-year nods slowly as if it makes sense. Violet isn’t sure if that is a compliment or not.

“And you?” she looks up at the blond still frozen above the courtyard.

“Jack Barlowe.” he snarls his eyes glued to hers.

A male rider arrives at Violet’s other shoulder a smirk gracing his lips, “Well, Jack,” he pauses as he scratches his chin, “Cadet Sorrengail has you by the actual balls here, in more ways than one. She’s right. Regs state that there’s nothing but respect among riders at formation. You want to kill her; you’ll have to do it in the sparring ring or on your own time.” Violet feels her pulse quicken slightly at those words, this was never what she had wanted for herself, and on day one she had managed to make herself an enemy who it seemed was dead set on ending her existence. “That is,” he continues with a small smile, “if she decides to let you off the parapet. Because technically,” he points now marking the change between parapet and courtyard, “you’re not on the grounds yet, you’re not a cadet. She is.” as he speaks the words pride fills Violet’s system; she had been so consumed with trying to survive the crossing she hadn’t thought to be happy now she’d made it.

Jack mutters some more empty threats which the rider counters with some very real threat of being torched by a dragon before turning to Violet once more.

“What’s it going to be Sorrengail?” the male rider turns his attention on her that small smile from before now morphing into a smirk, “You going to have Jack here start as a eunuch?” The idea does sound appealing but at the same time Violet isn’t sure she could stomach it. Violet’s hazel eyes meet Jack’s, she does her best to make herself look as threatening as possible, she leans forward pressing the blade into his trouser leg, she’s trying to send a message but she isn’t fully sure what the message is. She then backs away; she moves several paces away from him not trusting him not to follow through with the threat about snapping her neck.

The words that follow her come from Jack’s gritted teeth, “You’re dead Sorrengail.”

Her stomach bottoms out at the threat, she knows that he will do whatever he can to make it happen. Violet feels the cold begin to settle in as the rain from before soaks her to the bone. Violet glances up at the sky, the storm from before appears to be blowing away, Violet has a sick feeling in her stomach that the storm was almost certainly caused by her mother.

#fourth wing fanfic #fourth wing #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson #fiction #fanfiction #forged steel

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caroline-writes · 3 months ago

Text

Forged Steel

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64066468/chapters/164367718

What if Lilith's favour she asked of Xaden was a little different.

“My daughter,” Xaden’s eyes narrow slightly at the woman in front of him, “it needs to look like an accident.” He bites the inside of his cheek to stop himself from calling the woman in front of him a monster, “I’m sorry, what?” he asks shifting his stance slightly. “It has to look like an accident.” she repeats without fully elaborating.

Chapter 1: The Favour

An urgent knocking at his bedroom door woke him from a dream that he could hardly remember as the tendrils of sleep released him reluctantly. A hand runs down his face as exhaustion fills his body. His tawny skin stretches over his muscled arms as he raises his arms above his head and yawns. Another knock reminds Xaden why he awoke in the first place. With a grunt of discomfort Xaden pushed himself from his bed and yanked open his bedroom door. A nervous looking first year stands there holding an envelope, without a word he thrusts it into Xaden’s chest and scampers away. His eyes still bleary with sleep follow the young man who is out of sight quickly, not wanting to linger in Xaden’s presence.

Xaden’s eyes slowly descend to the envelope in his hand. It has a seal on the back with the crest of Basgiath. Xaden already knows who it is from but for the life of him cannot work out what she wants with him. He runs a hand through his sleep mussed hair and exhales heavily as he cracks the seal and reads the letter. She wanted to meet with him as soon as possible. Xaden’s heart stutters slightly as he wonders why. He grits his teeth before tossing the letter to one side and quickly dressing himself. If there was one thing Xaden knew it was that he shouldn’t leave her waiting.

The summons for Xaden to meet General Sorrengail in her office had certainly come as a surprise. The room is cold in more ways than one. He stands with his feet shoulder width apart and hands clasped behind his back in front of her desk. The room is round and devoid to personality, medals and honours sit on a shelf above her head but this woman who apparently has three children has no evidence at all of their existence. Xaden wonders if that had always been the case of if the ‘death’ of her eldest had prompted the change. The General is sitting in front of him having called him into the office, Xaden resists the urge to tap his foot in annoyance as she continues working apparently pretending that she doesn’t know that he is there.

After what felt like an eternity General Sorrengail looks up at the man standing before her, her gaze is cold and calculating, “When you agreed to take responsibility for every single one of the marked ones. When I marked that responsibility into your flesh, you also agreed that you would do me a favour if and when I asked it of you.”

Xaden’s eyebrow twitches slightly in annoyance before he nods, he remembers, of course he remembers. He remembers the agony and the blood and the pain of the marks healing.

“My daughter,” Xaden’s eyes narrow slightly at the woman in front of him, “it needs to look like an accident.”

He bites the inside of his cheek to stop himself from calling the woman in front of him a monster, “I’m sorry, what?” he asks shifting his stance slightly.

“It has to look like an accident.” she repeats without fully elaborating.

He needs to hear her say it, he needs her to ask him to kill her daughter or he won’t believe that she has made the request at all, “I...don’t. I don’t understand.”

The look on Lilith’s face says everything that she doesn’t, she knows that he is playing dumb, “Fine Riorson, we will play it your way.” she rises to her feet and marches around her desk to stand face to face with him, her eyes are cold as she speaks. There is no remorse here there is no hesitation, “My daughter is going to join the rider’s quadrant. Violet is weak and she will fail. You are going to make her death look like an accident. There are 107 lives which are depending on you to make sure that you make that happen.” the threat isn’t subtle but Xaden manages not to flinch as she says it.

“I will act within the codex, wouldn’t want to find myself in any other trouble.” he raises a scarred eyebrow at Lilith who turns away from him with a sigh.

“Just make it happen Riorson.” she tells him in a tone which lets him knows he has been dismissed. He extracts himself from the room and as he walks down the spiral staircase, he finds himself breaking into a run.

“Meet me at the flight field.” He calls to his blue daggertail. Her response is a huff but he feels their proximity grow closer and watches as her shadow looms large overhead.

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

“We have to get back to Aretia, there is someone I need to talk to.” He is fortunate that it is a weekend and that there is a full week before this year’s cadets are due to brave the parapet. Had Lilith given him this mission any later then he would have had to sit on it alone for a lot longer than he would have liked.

Sgaeyl lands in the flight field and Xaden has pulled on his flight leathers and mounts his dragon, “Tell Chradh to tell Garrick that I’m heading to Aretia.” he pauses for a moment before adding, “Please.”

If dragons could roll their eyes Xaden was sure his would be in that moment, she huffs out loud as she flaps her wings twice and they rise into the sky. Xaden had always thought that the woman who had killed his father was a monster. The mere fact that she had been the one to hand his father his death had been enough to convince him of that. But this. This made him feel sick in a way he wasn’t familiar with. Worry knotted itself in the pit of his stomach. Why would she want her own daughter to be killed?

“I don’t think this should surprise you. The woman is dangerous beyond measure.” Sgaeyl’s voice drifts to him and Xaden sighs, “Try to sleep. The journey home will be a long one.”

“When we’re in range, please can you asked Marbh and Brennan to meet us when we land.” Xaden doesn’t wait to hear her agree as he allows himself to settle into a position which will mean he can sleep during the journey to Aretia.

His dreams are filled with her, the woman who is responsible for the 107 marks on his back. She is mocking him; her laughter is loud and echoing through his head. Xaden jerks awake when they are an hour away from his home, he blinks and looks out at the sky which is beginning to glow a beautiful burnt orange as the sun begins to rise.

“Marbh and his rider will meet us.” Sgaeyl’s voice is gentle and Xaden wonders if she saw his dreams. The early morning air is cold against his skin and Xaden’s cheeks burn as Sgaeyl moves into a dive before spreading her wings to slow their descent.

Brennan and his orange daggertail are already waiting for them, the older man leans up against Marbh’s leg with his arms folded. Xaden dismounts and marches toward Brennan, “What exactly couldn’t wait for your next visit?” the older man asks with a lifted brow.

“She wants me to kill your sister.”

The colour drains from Brennan’s face and he stands straighter, “Come again?” he takes a step closer to Xaden.

“Your mother, she called me into her office and said she was cashing in the favour that I owe her. The favour she wants is that I kill your sister and make it look like an accident.” Xaden explains slowly his whole body vibrating with exhaustion and rage.

Brennan frowns, “How? She’s going to be a scribe. Scribes don’t just die.”

Xaden offers Brennan a look of sympathy as he shakes his head, “No, you’re right. They don’t. But riders do.”

“She’s going to be a scribe, Xaden. She has to be a scribe.” Brennan had planned it all, he was so sure that if Violet became a scribe, she would be able to work for the revolution and find them all of the information they needed in order to defeat the venin once and for all. If she wasn’t going to be a scribe everything he had been planning would fall apart. The colour had yet to return to Brennan’s cheeks, if anything he started to look a little green at the very idea that Violet would be joining the rider’s quadrant.

“General Sorrengail has other plans. She’s sending Violet to the rider’s quadrant and if that doesn’t kill her, she wants me to make it look like an accident. Brennan I...” Brennan steps forward and grabs the younger man by his flight leathers.

“You can’t!” his voice is desperate and his amber eyes are wild.

Xaden shakes him off and steps away, “Of course I can’t.” he tells him, “But your mother made it clear that if I don’t, she will threaten the lives of the 107 people that I am personally responsible for. Please don’t forget that some of those 107 are literal children.” he pauses and when he speaks next his voice is low and deadly serious, “I need you to use that big brain of yours to try and work out a way out of this.”

Brennan’s world tilts on its axis, he knows that he cannot ask Xaden to save the life of his sister over the 107 marked ones. He wracks his brain desperately thinking of some way to make sure that Xaden can disobey this direct order without bringing down repercussions on the marked ones.

“I told her that I would do it within the confines of the codex.” Xaden supplies hoping that this information will offer Brennan a way to change things.

Brennan’s brain shifts through the pages of the codex as quickly as he can, he wishes in this moment that Violet herself were here to help him work things out. She would be able to pick something from the codex instantly to give them a way to keep her safe.

“Riders within the same squad cannot kill each other.” Xaden offers.

Brennan pulls a face, “She’ll be a first year and you’ll be a third. She could be in your wing I suppose but that doesn’t guarantee her safety.” he winces before thinking of something else, “It is unlawful for a rider to cause another harm while in a quadrant formation or in the supervisory presence of a superior-ranking cadet as it will diminish the efficacy of the wing.”

“So, what...I am a superior ranking cadet and therefore cannot lawfully cause harm which would lead to her death?” Xaden asks his brow furrowing, “If she finds out that I’m trying my best to not kill her she’ll ask someone else to do it.”

There is a pause as Brennan considers Xaden’s words, “Then we have to get Violet out of Basgiath as soon as we can.” Almost as soon as the words have left his mouth Brennan turns away shaking his head, “She’ll never go. She’s stubborn and stronger than our mother gives her credit for.” Brennan bites his lip as he remembers the fourteen-year-old he left behind, was she still that girl?

Xaden lifts both hands to his face and uses them to cover his eyes, he wants nothing more than for this problem to go away. The very last thing he needs is having General Sorrengail breathing down his neck waiting for him to end the life of her own daughter. He removes his hands and his onyx eyes flick towards Brennan who has begun pacing back and forth, “Is there any chance that she can bond with a dragon?”

Brennan looks up at him, “I...” he thinks back to the girl she was when he last saw her. She had been fourteen when he last saw her. Had it really been that long? His heart skipped a beat and his amber eyes meet Xaden’s. She had always been a force of nature, one that their mother had a hard time understanding. “I’ve told you about her before?” it is a question, but he is sure he had mentioned her over the years.

Xaden shrugs, “In passing sure. You said she was sick a lot as a kid.”

Brennan tilts his head to one side, “That’s one way of putting it.” he nods, “I was 8 when she was born so I remember,” he pauses not wanting to say ‘mom’ so instead he opts for her name, “Lilith’s pregnancy. She went away during it because she was suffering more than she had with Mira or at least that’s what my father told me. When she came back, she had a tiny white-haired baby. I adored her from the moment I laid eyes on her. I did everything that I could to make sure she was okay. She would cry and cry for our mother and yet Lilith would never come. She would leave Violet screaming in her crib. I remember watching as our father struggled to juggle his work as a scribe with taking care of Violet. I helped where I could but I was still a child myself.” he paused and clenched his eyes shut as if the memories themselves stung, “I’m not telling you this so that you’ll feel sorry for her. I need you to understand that life...or Lilith has never been kind to Violet. There was a resentment there from the moment she was born and when her illness became more obvious, I think the resentment became loathing.”

Xaden’s eyes hold a sadness in their dark gold fleck depths, “She loathed her own daughter?”

“Violet was weak. Her bones broke and her joints would dislocate. When she was 5, she fainted in our mother’s office and she...she ignored her until I found her and took her away. It was never hard for me to leave my mother behind when I faked my death, but leaving Violet is probably the worst thing I have ever done.” his voice cracks, “Lilith sees Violet as a physical representation of her own failings.”

“You aren’t surprised that she asked me to kill her?”

“Surprised? No. But I am heartbroken. I cannot even begin to imagine what Lilith has put her through since I have been here. Our father always did what he could to protect Violet but without him as well I imagine her life has been abject misery.” Brennan pauses and heaves a heavy sigh, he fidgets slightly with his fingers before looking Xaden in the eyes, his amber ones flashing, “She is brighter than anyone I have ever met. And when I say that I was thinking of a 14-year-old so I cannot begin to imagine how intelligent she is now. Lilith wanting her dead tells me one thing and one thing only.” Brennan pauses again his heart feels heavy, “Lilith sees Violet and her brain as a threat. One that she has decided should be eliminated.”

“How do I get Violet to trust me?” Xaden asks, he knew from the moment he had left the General’s office that there was no way he could actually follow through with her request.

There is a silence that follows the question as Brennan thinks about it, “Don’t expect her to trust anything. She will want to know any ulterior motives and reasons for you trying to gain her trust. She still thinks that your father killed me, any attempted friendship would probably be greeted with suspicion.” he pulls a face as he thinks back to Xaden’s question before, “What makes dragons bond with a rider?”

Xaden pulls a face as he thinks back to when Sgaeyl bonded with him, “She liked and respected my ruthlessness.”

Her smooth voice fills his head, “Just because I appreciated your ruthlessness, it does not mean that that appeals to all dragons. Each is particular and different.”

“Do you think there is a dragon out there who would be willing to bond with someone who was physically weak but mentally strong?” Xaden asks her.

There is a long silence between them and Xaden is about to repeat the question when the navy-blue shimmering in his mind shifts as he, “I think it is not outside the realm of possibility. Although she may be less likely to bond than others.”

“Sgaeyl thinks that there’s a chance.” Xaden informs Brennan who nods slowly.

“If you don’t kill her, my mother will send others.” Brennan states matter-of-factly. A sinking feeling settles somewhere low in his stomach as the truth of Brennan’s words hit him. Of course, Lilith would send other people to kill her daughter if he cannot make it look like an accident. “I’ll work out something, you should probably head back to Basgiath. Lilith will probably know that you left and there will be questions.”

Xaden marches towards Sgaeyl who stands tall and imposing in the middle of the field, “Find something. Please Brennan.” he calls out as he mounts his dragon, seconds later he is in the sky. He leans low against her midnight blue scales as the pressure of the take-off pushes him down before he is able to sit upright once more. Xaden isn’t sure what is more terrifying to him. The idea of disobeying the General, the idea of breaking Brennan’s heart by doing as she has asked or the idea that if he doesn’t do as she has asked the General will start making serious threats to the lives of the marked ones and will once again place him in an impossible position.

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

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