#I’m obsessed with Xaden

[shea-like-the-butter]

I ~railed~ Iron Flame in like 2days 🥲

[justallihere]

I think a lot about Xaden’s “it’s a damned good thing you love me too, because you’re stuck with me in this life and every other that could possibly follow” line

[starfall-spirit]

I told myself Fourth Wing had to be overrated with all of the hype it got. Except I just binge read the thing cover to cover today and found a new obsessions so we’ll see where my fics start branching. No promises.

[tsunami-of-tears]

I FINISHED FOURTH WING AND I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS!!!

Spoilerssssss 😭🤯

It’s basically how to train your dragon x Harry Potter (no complaints)

Also giving such vampire academy vibes (which was my first love. Adrian was the first book boyfriend IYKYK)

Heartbroken over Dain being the biggest traitor in the end - I knew something was sus when his dad gave Xaden the posting he’d mentioned to Violet

Why did it take my girl so long to figure out killing the venin = killing the wyvern??? I assumed as much when she first mentioned the fable

Liam 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Her powers are so badass ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE BRENNAN IN THE END, as soon as the healer’s name was omitted I just knew

Tairn is such a grumpy thing I love him

Andarna is THE CUTEST I love her so much

The banter between the dragons is so great, I love that they are basically big cats

And the way friendships are written 🥹🫶🏻 love love love

LIAM 😭😭😭

DAIN 🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

Can’t wait for Xaden to GROVEL. Get on your knees son

It’s just so fucking good, I can’t believe I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to start the next one 😭

[dragons-library]

I’m re reading Fourth Wing… it says feather tails can gift their powers to humans…. Gift…??

What if violet can still stop time?😬

[mermaidgirl30]

Xaden Riorson >>> All other fictional men

[lostinw0nderlandd]

I’m gonna finish reading iron flame today and that’s enough to make me want to cry. I’m not ready.

[killiansprincss]

VIOLETS DRAGON IS MATED TO XADENS OH THE PLOT THICKENS👀👀

[babyange1face]

i just finished reading fourth wing and like? MY MIND?!? gone 🥲

[somewhere-in-the-rain]

Empyrean Modern AU headcanons

Most of these came to me randomly at 1am, so naturally I’m going to bring you all down with me by posting them here <3

Violet and Xaden’s apartment (yes of course they live together, no of course they don’t have a house they’re in their twenties) is constantly messy, with books and clothes and other crap they’ve accumulated. But it’s the kind of messy that’s comforting, not gross, cluttered in a way that feels familiar and loved. This is partly because Xaden’s trust issues won’t allow anyone else to clean.

Breaking Bad is their show. They love to watch it together before going to sleep.

Dain spends too much time on Twitter (I have never once called that app X and I am not about to start now). He has been cancelled multiple times for his political views and his opinions on Taylor Swift.

Rhiannon tried going vegan once, made it thirteen days, and then threw up because she wanted cheese so badly.

Ridoc has been to see the Eras Tour three times.

Garrick’s favourite TV show is Friends. It’s Imogen’s too, but she would never admit it.

Xaden once got so drunk he died his hair blonde. Liam is still teasing him about it.

Jesinia is AO3 famous. She had Wattpad as a kid and would read “sold to One Direction” fan fictions.

She is also a massive Bridgerton fan and convinced Violet to read the books. Violet hated them, but read all eight anyway, “just to make sure”.

When Bodhi and Garrick were at university together, they started ironically watching Pitch Perfect every couple of months as a joke. They’re obsessed with it. Garrick once bailed on a job interview in order to make it in time to watch it.

[darkavcngers]

maybe i’m biased because i’m obsessed with him but benjamin wadsworth is my dream xaden riorson fancast don’t come for me

[callsign-rogueone]

u are singlehandedly keeping the fourth wing x reader tag afloat thank u for my life

thank you anon!! much more in the works — I gotta keep everyone fed until we get Onyx Storm lol 🥰

I’m also gonna take this opportunity to shoutout a few other fw writers, since the search feature on this website is abysmal and lately the tag has been filled with stuff that isn’t x-reader content at all 🙃

- @angstywaifu has a Garrick x Xaden’s sister (oc) series that I’m obsessed with (I need to get caught up on that this week!!), and a variety of x reader one-shots as well.

- @ervotica has the Liam girlies covered with heartwarming fluff, heartbreaking angst, and really hot smut. I’m both excited and terrified (in a good way!!) of what’s to come.

- @void-my-warranty is in the middle of a Liam smut series that I cannot stop thinking about. also lots of Xaden/Violet and some Xaden/Violet/Liam if you’re into that 👀 and quite possibly the first and only Imogen/reader smut in existence!

- @velvetlilacsdaisies has a Bodhi x reader friends-to-lovers slowburn series (that I also need to catch up on hsjsb) but I’m obsessed. and some very sexy one-shots too 🤭

- + many others that I’m forgetting right now, but if you go to my “#fic recs” tag you’ll see some of the FW works I’ve reblogged from other writers! I want to be better about reading and rb’ing more in the future. I’ve been letting things pile up in my likes until I have the energy to come up with the meaningful commentary they deserve, but energy is scarce for me these days lol 🥲

[justallihere]

I feel like, after posting some critical things about the new Xaden POV bonus chapter, I should be positive for a second and say that I did like it. The romance was fun, I love Xaden being a total obsessed lover boy, and anything with Liam gets 5 gold stars!

But I don’t think we should accept half-assed work that feels sloppy just because. We as fans spend lots of money, time, and energy supporting the author and creating the community we have. We do it because we love it, yes, but we are allowed to expect that the author and publisher respect us and our support by giving us quality work—especially when they’re making money from it.

I also think that criticism and discussion surrounding any sort of art is valid and necessary, so long as it’s done respectfully. I’ve jokingly said before that really I’m just a hater, but the time I spend engaging in discussion with other fans and thinking critically about a work (about this work, specifically) is what fuels me to create and be part of this fandom. My fanfic literally would not exist if I wasn’t critical of the Empyrean. It also wouldn’t exist if I didn’t love it. I promise both of those things are true all the time 🫶🏻

[sipsandfables]

Unfiltered Thoughts While Reading: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

⚠️⚠️⚠️ BEWARE! SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Chapter 1

If I were Violet, I’d be like “Forget these biscuits and EXPLAIN YOURSELF SIR” 😂

If Brennan survived, then why did Tairn’s old rider die? 

“Stop bringing logic into an emotional argument.” Hahaha love Violet

I will say though that if she’s going to be mad at Xaden, she can be mad at Brennan for the same thing

Chapter 2

is this foreshadowing? Will Violet or someone else learn the art of ward building to save them all?

“Weapons are the only things that can win this war” for someone so intelligent, I’ve never heard Brennan say anything more foolish than that 

Andarna is a teen 😂

will she go through an emo phase? Hahaha

At least it sounds like her mom wasn’t in on this murder plot 

“Fucking Dain.”

Lol agreed

Chapter 4

I love how Dain acts like nothing happened. Like, wtf? Why are you surprised Violet hates you?!

Unless he didn’t know about the plan somehow and we all just assumed he did.

Also, maybe another mind reader read his mind and he didn’t actually tattle? But even if that’s the case, he still read Violet’s memories without her permission this whole school year

Chapter 5

“I’m pleasantly fuddled but not entirely sloshed.”

Lol I’m using that the next time I get drunk

Chapter 6

Violet has more self-control than me. She should have let Xaden stay the night lol

Chapter 7

I knew it! So, less dragons are bonding because of the war and the venin. I wonder if they are bonding with the rebels or just staying out of it completely 

Chapter 8

so Aaric is the kings son?! Bold move 

And now Liam’s little sister?! This series is going to kill me 😭😭😭

oh shes angry lol 

“What in the angry-Mairi was that about?”

Lol I love Rhiannon

“I've danced with Malek more than my fair share over this last year and told him to fuck right off every single time. ”

LOL

Fuck this dragon and fuck Varrish. What. The. Hell.

I’d be so pissed if someone ran after that because that stupid dragon is killing people in the way anyways. Hide ya kids, hide ya wife, they’re flaming everyone up in here.

“If Solas comes near you again, he knows I will devour his human whole and let him rot within me while his heart still beats, and then I'll take the eye I so graciously left him." "That's...graphic."

Tairn has the best threats lol he and Violet were made for each other

Chapter 9

I knew Imogen would grow on me!

Omg I bet the person they’re interrogating is Xaden. He never made it out to his post and it’s why he hasn’t come to see Violet. I just don’t know how they can keep the dragons from each other 

“"I can take her," Sloane fires back, white-knuckling her knife, "From what your letter said last year, her joints pop right out. How hard can it be?" "Seriously?" I shoot a reproachful look at Imogen. "I can explain." Imogen puts her hand over her heart, "You see, I didn't like you last year, remember? You're kind of an acquired taste."”

hahahaha I love the banter in this series

OMG!!! Nadine!!! I am NOT okay with how fast characters be dying in this damn series!! 😭😭😭

Chapter 10

I knew this dude was sent by Aetos. So freaking sloppy! And the more this book goes on, the more I think Dain didn’t know about the War Games thing. He’s an annoying prick but I don’t see him being malicious enough to let Violet walk to her death. Plus, I actually don’t recall him shitting on people with a relic. He just seems to hate Xaden lol 

Welp, there goes my theory about Xaden being tortured lol

I find it hilarious that Xaden is so obsessed with Violet’s hair lol

Chapter 11

“Coconspirators with a vested interest in keeping each other alive.”

Lol love Imogen. She’s giving me Ron Swanson vibes here with his “work proximity associates” speech 😂😂😂

Banning people from knowledge in order to keep their corrupt secrets from the public is not sustainable. Sure, it drastically slows the distribution of information but the truth always comes out - it’s just a matter of when!

I wonder if the Scribes are translating everything from the old language in order to hide more lies

 Varrish grinning at Violet saying “dragons don’t take orders from humans” does not bode well. Has he found a way to control dragons? Or at least influence them with blackmail or something else?

Varrish is such a dick. Like, get a life dude. 

Chapter 12

That comment about a blade of grass sticking to Violet was so random. 

Chapter 13

This Varrish guy is the worst. He’s like Miss Umbridge from the Harry Potter series

“You wish you were my type. I’m phenomenal in bed.”

Hahahaha I love Imogen. SHE BETTER NOT DIE

Oh no, I bet it’s that freaking survival class test! They’re getting kidnapped!

Chapter 14

Tairn is so sassy and I love it

Obviously, the water is drugged! Have they never read a fantasy novel?! 

I adore Ridoc 😍

HE BETTER NOT DIE

You would think there would be more crossover activities and exercises between riders and infantry if they have to work together so much and infantry are expected to work alongside dragons

Chapter 15

Rhiannon is responding to Violet keeping secrets way better than Violet is to Xaden lol She’s like “hey, you’re hiding something and that’s fine but don’t lie about lying” with Violet. And Xaden is like “Honestly, I have secrets I can’t tell but here are all of the intimate details of my life.” Come on Violet! Quit trippin' and get back with Xaden lol

I don’t like the rift going on between Rhiannon and Violet this book. They need each other and it’s annoying lol

Alright 2 things that annoy me about this book so far:

1. The lack of Xaden and Violet scenes  2. Violet being mad at Xaden for keeping secrets from her in order to protect others

 Chapter 16

Yesssss, Imogen is spitting facts!!! Hopefully this will convince Violet to let him back in

“I’m still speaking.”

Okay Imogen 👀 She could get it 😏

Oh man, I really hope nothing happens to Rhi’s family and she blames Violet for keeping her in the dark

Of course she misses the interrogation technique class!!! Bad move man

Chapter 18

Theory time: Omg is death what’s powering the wards??? Is that why so many more people are dying at an alarming rate? They need more students to die to power up the wards? And maybe daggers work because they are an instrument for causing death?

“I want you.” All day. Every day.

LOLLL

Omg I love how ride or die Rhiannon is about Violet lol 

Who’s soul is Nolon mending?!

Chapter 19

Theory time: Solas’ orange is off and Dain’s dragon's breath stinks because they’re giving the dragons some concoction. Maybe it’s to control them? 

“Humans have the memories of gnats. Dragons hold grudges.”

Pearls of wisdom from Tairn lol

Damn it Tairn lol while I love that he put Varrish and Solas in their place, things just got a whole lot worse for Violet 😬

Chapter 20

“Ugh. Let’s go throw knives at shit.”

😂

Has Mira met Imogen? They’d be two peas in a pod lol

I’m also shook that they kill civilians. Wowwwww

Chapter 21

Man, this is starting to feel like Final Destination since all the Resson survivors are dying one by one

“History and current events are tied because one influences the other.”

Interesting foreshadowing 

I like Devera and I feel like she’s trying to do the right thing while the rest of leadership goes to shit. Like Professor McGonagall does when Dumbledore is no longer headmaster 

“That’s what we’re not going to do.”

You tell em, Devera!

I bet Varrish will be in charge of the torture lessons given his background and he’s going to try to kill Violet 

I was JUST wondering where Dain has been. Haven’t heard his holier than thou whining in a while lol

omg I called it in the last book! Her mom gave Xaden those scars! I also still think I’m right about Dain being guilty of being a prick but not of sending his best friend to get murdered 

Rhiannon is so smart! She reminds me of Bree from Legendborn 😍

I knew I liked Aaroc/Cam for a reason! Hope he doesn’t die….

Chapter 22

It’s strange that Violet is so bad at remembering names when she studied to be a Scribe her whole life lol

Chapter 23

For some reason, book 2 reads a little more like a YA novel than the first book

HAVE THEY LEARNED NOTHING?! Don’t  eat or drink anything!!!

Okay, you didn’t drink but did you eat the jam?!

Ridoc and his snake confession had me cackling

lol I totally thought Ridoc broke first but he was lying haha

I knew fucking Varrish would somehow weasel himself into this training

They’re using Dain? Well hell.

Also, isn’t his signet supposed to be a secret???

Chapter 24

Wait, they’re practicing on civilians?!?! At what point do people wake up and think “hmmm, we’re the bad guys”?

"We should consider quitting the quadrant." Ridoc jokes as we walk over the door and out of the chamber, "We'd be kickass thieves." "With dragons," Sawyer agrees. "Unstoppable," Ridoc says with a grin.

This is giving Six of Crows and I. Am. Here. For. It.

Unlocking doors? hmmmm interesting 

Chapter 25

I know exactly who did this! A scribe! It was the person walking in the hood earlier that Violet noticed. I wonder if it’s her friend or someone else

Those statements have to be true - Markham is acting too squirrelly about them

FUCKING JACK IS BACK?!

Idk how I feel about this book now lol like really? 

Hundreds of cadets die every year and they spent valuable resources and time to mend him?! What happened to “we let the weak die”?! This is utter bull

Also, Nolon mentioned how hard mending a soul is….it doesn’t sound like Jack has a soul 

Chapter 26

I love the nonchalant way Sawyer and Ridoc are ready to murder Jack lol

Chapter 27

Territorial Xaden is the best lollll he’s like who the hell's jacket is that and why isn’t it mine?! 😂

Well, that escalated quickly 👀🔥

Chapter 28

Oh that has to be his ex. The one that Bodhi mentioned

I knew it!

Chapter 29

“Pull yourself together”

Tairn with the tough love 😂😂😂

“I will already know, as I am continuously with you,” he grumbles. “Forced to bear witness to the awkwardness that is twenty one year old humans.”

💀💀💀

I forgot who Professor Kaori is but I love them!!

Chapter 30

FINALLY Violet realizes how hypocritical she was being about Xaden when she tells her friends part of the truth

I bet Andarna is sleeping longer than expected because she’s going to be powerful as hell lol

Holy shit. Too many people die too often in this series. I don’t even remember who Eya is!

Ridoc better not die

Chapter 31

Freaking JACK saved her?!?! What is this rouse?!

I 👏🏾 don’t 👏🏾 trust 👏🏾 him 👏🏾 

Let’s go Aaric! Sidebar, I need a novella about him. He sounds hot

Chapter 32

I thought Aaric ‘s brother died in Threshing! Well I guess Xaden could have killed him then lol

There’s no way Nasya sleeps through his post every time. I bet he’s spying on them

Oh Imogen has it taken care of lol good. Also, that’s a badass signet!

Chapter 34

“The birth of iron rain” !?

That sounds ominous

OMG LADY STOP DRINKING THINGS FROM OTHER PEOPLE

Fucking hell. I honestly can’t even feel anger for Nolon’s betrayal because I’m too annoyed with Violet rn lol

Chapter 36

So Dain is finally choosing the right side!

I’m so glad Varrish is dead! He’s the worst lol. Violet will definitely have to watch her back from Solas

Yay! Devera came through!

The secret is out! Finally!

Chapter 37

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Chapter 38

Andarna is back!!! Yayyy!

I bet this “blood magic” means sacrifice! they have to kill people to build a new ward

I knew Mira would punch Brennan after seeing him for the first time haha

Chapter 39

The 6 strongest riders: Caden, Felix, suri, bodhi, violet, Brennan - I’m surprised Mira isn’t one

Chapter 40

I do think Violet is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to understanding her power which is surprising since she’s so smart

I’m excited about this sibling trip lol

Chapter 41

“Fuck it. We don’t need a luminary.”

Mira is a whole vibe lol

Cat is the worst and Violet is annoying me by listening to her lol Xaden is obsessed with you girl - ignore this jelly belly lady

Well that explains why Violet was trippin' hahaha wasn’t her fault

Chapter 43

yeah I agree - allowing people to die on the parapet is unnecessary lol

Holy shit ! This entire hike is stressful as fuck!

RIDOC!!!

Chapter 45

“The problem with mankind is we too often find our souls to be a fair price for power.”

Chapter 47

I hope Violet kicks Cat’s ass and makes it embarrassing for her lol

Chapter 48

Well that was hawt lol

Xaden talking shit about Dain will never get old lol

The way Xaden feels about Violet reminds me of Rowan to Aelin because his love isn’t conditional and based on if she’s “good” - “If you’re a monster, I’m a monster” (Queen of Shadows)

Xaden is very swoon-worthy lol

Chapter 49

I feel like it’s always Sawyer pitching the idea to just kill an annoying enemy (Cat, Jack, Varrish) and I’m here for it 😂

HE BETTER NOT DIE

oh no….am I starting to find Dain not so bad? Lollll

Chapter 52

Theory time: I really think these nightmares are real - somehow the Sage is communicating with Violet through her dreams Theory Time: I bet she gets captured or agrees to go to the head Sage by the end of this book to set up the next book

Oh god, I really hope an attack doesn’t occur while they’re on this training mission and then Violet feels responsible for not putting up the wards sooner 😬

Chapter 53

Violet must be thinking of Xaden and how he might go mad since his dragon was previously bonded with someone in his direct line

Fucking Solas. I almost forgot about this enemy!

Chapter 54

Honestly I’m surprised she doesn’t have more enemies since if you kill her, you essentially kill 4 beings in one swoop

Andarna is a badass

Chapter 55

No lie, this fight between Xaden and Violet is a little silly and getting exhausting

Ah, I came to the wrong conclusion about Xaden and his bond with Sgaeyl 

Chapter 56

Omg is Xadens second signet mind reading? That would explain a lot. It would also explain why he’s scared to share since they execute people with that signet

Called it!!! I’m glad her response was not immediately “I don’t love you anymore”

Now I need to reread these books to see when he reads her mind. Oh man, I hate to say it but it kind of sounds like what Dain did to her last year

hmmmm, that was too easy lol

Ugh, we’ve been here before - Violet discovers a big secret about Xaden right before some war conflict and they’re fighting in the midst of chaos. Not sure I’m a fan that it’s a repeat of the last book lol

Chapter 57

well I’m glad Cat has stopped being a twat and decided that focusing on saving the continent is the way to go over petty squabbles over an ex lol She reminds me of Lysandra but in a good way lol 

I think the trouble with the writing of their relationship is that Xaden is so amazing and their relationship is so magnetic that their conflicts feel forced. The obstacles they face within their relationship are hard to develop when Xaden is always saying the right things after they fight lol Not that I’d want it any other way - but I think that’s why I’m struggling with not rolling my eyes when they get into arguments. Violet deserves to be angry about the betrayal but then it just feels like her decision on what she’ll do next about them takes FOREVER and it feels like it’s dragged out across a whole ass book.

Omg did Brennan come?! Is he announcing his “undeadness”?!

Violet immediately wants Xaden to use his secret signet on the others? I don’t disapprove at all but that better mean she will forgive him swiftly lol

It isn’t in Violet to NOT help innocent civilians if she can.

“I love you enough to bear the weight of your disappointment.”

Total mom sacrifice right there!

I need a novella of their mom and dad and how they got together lol

Chapter 58

If I were with the Rebellion, I’d agree to help Navarre on the condition that they make it public knowledge that Venin are real and they’ve been lying to citizens for centuries in order to keep a specific amount of citizens safe - that way, they’re not leaving innocents to die AND if they all survive the battle at Solstice, the rebels will walk away with an additional win (the entire continent knowing the truth)

am I the only one who visualize white walkers from GOT when I read about the venin in this book? Lol

Alright let’s go!!! Way to not turn into the enemies! 

Chapter 59

What is with Andarna’s scale colors?! Their changing colors have been mentioned all book - I wonder what’s the significance? Is she a rainbow dragon?! That would be dope lol

Jack's dragon's eyes are weird? Another reference to dragons seeming off! I bet they’re controlling it! But who would want the wards to fail? Who is Jack in league with if Varish is dead? IS Varish even dead?! Did freaking Nolon bring him back to life like he did with Jack?!

What the heck?! Did Jack become venin?! Why did he slaughter his own dragon?!?

Chapter 60

I knew he became venin! But didn’t realize it was for SO LONG!

Well, everything is going to hell in a hand basket 

“Fucking Jack.”

Ain’t that the truth lol

There’s no way this battle is in this book, there’s not enough pages left!!!!

Chapter 61

Can Andarna turn invisible??!

I’m so stressed lol

Chapter 62

Omg is Andarna a chameleon?!

Chapter 63

Theory time: Andarna is head of the seventh den of dragons! This is why she’s so unique. She’s not actually black like Tairn . I bet she’s one of one making her the head of her den. It would make sense since she’s an orphan 

Add-on to the theory: I think both journals are right but describe it differently. Warrick says six AND the one that combines all which must be what Andarna is since she’s always changing colors. Lyra’s journal says seven because it combines the six and the one

Good thing Andarna can make fire now!

Chapter 64

Not a Liam letter 😭😭😭

This heartfelt moment between Andarna and Violet is everything. 

The way that Andarna looks up to Tairn gives me all the feels

What about Sloane?! Can she somehow reverse her power and GIVE instead of siphon?

Ah yep, apparently she can.

Her mom is going to sacrifice herself! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Chapter 65

I’m honestly surprised Xaden killed the main sage. I figured he’d be a bigger part of the storyline 

Don’t tell me Xaden is also now Venin?! 😭

NOOOOO 😭😭😭

Sgaeyl is pissedddd

Chapter 66

OMG WERE THOSE XADENS DREAMS THE WHOLE TIME?! 

I can’t recall if Violet only had the nightmares when she slept near Xaden 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I am unwell.

[fusillisarah]

IRON FLAME THOUGHTS & REVIEW

Ohh. My. God.

Okay, soooo many things clicked for me by the end of the book. The twists were so delicious I was SCREAMING- my roommate thought something was wrong bahahaha. Spoilers ahead!

I was GAGGED. By Xaden’s second signet reveal. I had to put the book down and go make a cup of tea. At first I was like “WTF??!!” And was ranting about how it felt just thrown in there especially since the convo about the direct descendants/ second signet convo like just happened… and call me crazy but I think it happened one other time in the book and Violet wasn’t listening/didn’t pick up on it.

But then once I calmed down I realized how much RY foreshadowed it… like I could count plenty of times Violet says something in her regular thoughts (I.e. not italics) and Xaden responds… at first I just thought our queen had trouble not saying her train of thought out loud lol. But I gotta hand it to Rebecca, she totttttally got me. Insane twist and I’m obsessed with it.

Next I obviously have to talk about the ending. (Another side note… has anyone read Vampire Academy? (Spoiler)This is like the same vibes of Dmitri turning Strigoi) Xaden clearly slept with Violet so she obviously trusts him enough still, how much control do the Venin have?? I’m guessing it’s sposed to get worse the longer he is one? I think that right now I can focus on both Nolon and Jack being alive, and being the most reliable sources of information. I have not lost hope that he lives yet.

Tairns confession of Violet being his last broke me. So did Andarna saying she wants to be just like him. God I was unwell.

I need to read some more reviews, but I felt like a little bit of plot armor came into play with the final battle against the Venin… Sawyer lost a leg but is likely going to live, I was seriously expecting Rhi or Ridoc to not make it. Obviously I’m speaking very soon but they to me were giving “marked”. This is a personal opinion.

Yeah yeah the fights were childish. But to be completely honest I was taking Xadens side in most of them…. Give the kid a break Vi 😂

Okay, that’s all for now. Can’t wait for the next one tbh hahaha

[crisalidaseason]

Eleventh entry: You will fail.

In one way or another, you are going to fail and your friend will get hurt.

_________

Violet was fidgeting with the handles of her daggers once again. Liam refrained from asking about her wellbeing for the third unsuccessful time, waiting for the moment she would either break - which he doubted - or something disastrous happened. He really hoped it was not the latter.

“If I tell you something, will you report it to Xaden?”

He slightly paused the cart, looking at her attentively. Shit. It was serious if Xaden could not know.

“Why would you think—”

“Oh, come on” she interrupted “We both know you report just about everything I do. I’m not ignorant.”

Of course she did.

“He worries. I alleviate worries” Liam explained “I know it’s not fair. I know it’s a breach of your privacy. But it’s nothing compared to what I owe him”

As much as he hated the words, they were true. It was difficult to accept that he was not being a good friend to her, but it was a necessary evil in order to keep her safe and give Xaden an ounce of peace.

“Yeah. I got that part” she murmured.

Her voice is far from angry or seeking argument, but he noticed the hurt in her words. One more thing for him to feel guilty for. She opened the door of the citadel with an absent mind and he knew she was about to spill her real point any moment.

“Maybe I should rephrase my question. If I were to tell you something and ask you specifically to keep this one thing between the two of us, would you agree? Are we friends, or am I just your assignment?”

Liam stopped moving completely, feet planted by the door - there was no way this conversation could afford casualty or be interrupted by someone else. These months by her side were a conflicting nightmare to Liam, she was becoming a dear friend and he felt obligated to give Violet the same loyalty he would to any marked one…but he also had two life debts with Xaden. There was only so much he could give Violet regarding their connection.

“Would me keeping it to myself alter your safety in any way?” he could hold a small secret, right?

“No”

Alright, he could hold a secret then. Xaden would survive not knowing everything about Violet. He smiled at her and resumed their walking, feeling a little less guilty about the amount of things he had to hide and do despite their blooming friendship.

“There’s nothing you can do, and that’s the point” she completed.

Was she about to finally admit her obvious attraction to Xaden? Because at that point Liam could scream at him about it and his brother would not take action - he was dead set on not acting upon his obvious obsession towards the woman, which was considerably worse since their last encounter at the gym.

“We’re friends. Tell me” Liam assured her “I’ll keep it to myself”

He could try to be a wingman.

“Jack Barlowe is going to be allowed to challenge me today.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck! Of all things that is what she asks him to keep secret?

“How do you know that?” he blurted, frozen in place a second time that morning.

He felt the pit of his stomach tremble and a cold sensation run through his throat, nausea following it.

“And that is why I’m asking you to keep it to yourself” Violet sighed “Just… try to trust that I know”

“The instructors can’t let that happen.” he shook his head vehemently, he could not keep that promise. Not with fucking Barlowe!

He should have asked to challenge him first, even if leadership would probably not accept it. Liam should have tried.

“They’re going to” she smiled as if she was not worried in the slightest “He’s been asking since the first day, so it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. Point is, Jack is going to challenge me today, and when he does, you can’t step in, no matter what”

He felt his forearms tremble despite the tight grip on the cart. The fuck he was not going to step in, there was not a chance he would allow that to happen, Liam knew that Barlowe would go for the kill, he could not let a friend die

.

“Vi, if we tell Riorson, he can put a stop to it”

“No” Violet put a hand over his white-knuckled one “He can’t. There’s only so much Xaden can do to protect me both here and once we’re on the front lines. You and I both know that if he stops this, there will be an uproar in the quadrant after what happened to Amber”

Shit, he hated when Violet made sense, but Liam also hated that deep down he was thankful she thought about it - because Xaden certainly wouldn’t. After accusing Amber with no proof, Liam was sure that his brother would go through dangerous and deadly lengths to protect that woman, including interfering in a challenge.

“And you expect me to stand there and watch whatever happens… happen?” he concluded with a bitter taste on his mouth.

“Just like you have the last two challenges” her hand tightens her grip on his “Don’t worry. I’m going to use everything I have to my advantage”

The last two challenges were not a man double her size with a personal vendetta, Liam wanted to say, but he knew that fight was lost before it even started. Violet would not back down - like usual.

“I don’t like this” Liam finally admitted.

“Yeah, well, that makes two of us”

They walked back to the quadrant in silence after that. Liam considered breaking his promise and dragging Xaden to the gym later, maybe killing Barlowe before the challenge even happened. But in the end Violet was right, there was nothing he could realistically do without causing more problems. She had waited to tell him on purpose, he wanted to be mad at her but panic was overwhelming all his other senses.

If Barlowe managed to kill her…No, he had to trust that Violet could do it. She had done it fairly well before.

“Liam” Rhiannion called his attention “you’re ok?”

He looked at his squadmate, wondering if Violet had told her - or any of them. None of them seemed worried at all - having a peaceful breakfast - which probably meant that Violet had only told Liam. He stole a glance at his friend, who discreetly warned him to be quiet with her pale eyes.

“Yeah, just had a tough night” he lied, smiling at his squadmate with a strain on his face muscles.

He could see the frown between her brows, probably not believing him, but Rhiannon did not inquire much. Not that she needed to, she was too good of an observant and that was exactly why he could not let his panic show, she was also going to the mat that day and distractions were never good - no matter her winning streak of challenges.

“Calm down” Violet whispered on the way to the gym “you’re more nervous than I am”

“Violet…” he began, trying to keep the nausea at bay “are you hundred percent sure of whatever plan you have?”

She kept walking, their pace slowing so none of their squadmates could hear the conversation.

“No”

Liam used all of his self-control not to rip his own hair out. That was not the right moment to doubt anything! He had to tell Xaden, fuck the consequences. His eyes searched for piece-of-shit Barlowe immediately upon entering the gym, the sick motherfucker already nailing his gaze on Violet. Jack was practically drooling at the sight of her, as if he knew they were going to be paired that day. Liam considered throwing his dagger right at the man’s throat, hands grasping the handle in an uncontrollable instinct.

“... and Rhiannon Matthias” professor Emetterio shouted, but Liam did not take his eyes off Barlowe.

Liam could only swallow the bile rising up his throat as the professor uttered the next words, the words that haunted Liam in his nightmares weeks ago.

“Mat seventeen, Jack Barlowe from First Wing versus…Violet Sorrengail”

That was it. Liam saw flashes of the lifeless pale eyes on his lap, the blood seeping through the uniform. He barely registered Ridoc’s protesting, his eyes focusing on the devilish smirk on Balrowe’s face.

“Tell me I can break the promise” Liam begged her.

Violet was preparing herself, checking all the daggers and rolling her shoulders to ease the tension. Ridoc was looking at Liam from over her shoulder, eyes screaming for a solution to that problem. A solution Liam did not have time to perform.

“The third-years are off doing third-year things” her voice held no panic “You can’t get him here in time, but I know what it means to you to keep your word. Especially with him. Go ahead”

He had to try. Liam could not do anything himself in that moment, but he could get the fucking wingleader, consequences be damned. They were going to handle it.

Turning to Ridoc, he barked an uncharacteristically serious order “Guard her like you’re me.”

“You mean like I’m six inches taller and built like a bull?” Ridoc choked out “Sure. I’ll do my best. In the meantime, you’d better run”

Liam did not even address the unwelcome humor, he was too on edge for that.

“Stay alive” he blurted to Violet, choosing to believe she could handle just enough for Xaden to arrive.

She could do this, he had to believe her. There was no choice.

“Working on it, and not just for my sake” her smile is bright, but far from confident “Thanks for being a great shadow”

He was not going to lose Violet Sorrengail!

Liam bolted out of the gym, focusing his sharp eyesight for any signs of Xaden or Garrick - hell even Masen and Soleil would do - but there was not a third year on sight as he left the gym floor.

Deigh!

Sgaeyl is not with her rider, his dragon replied immediately.

Warn her about Violet, I need to find him now!

Already done, boy.

Liam sent a half-conscious thanks to Deigh, running through the academic wing in search of any third year.

“Telery!” he shouted at the sight of her.

Soleil turned and frowned at Liam’s speed, her blade already in hand and eyes scouting behind him.

“Xaden” he wheezed, lungs burning “where?”

“Just left a leadership meeting, he and Garrick are going to classes now. What happened?”

“Which floor?” he pleaded.

“Liam, what’s happening?” Soleil insisted.

“I’ll explain later, now where is he?” Liam was on the verge of yelling.

“Here” Xaden’s voice was a fucking blessing to hear.

His brother was running down the hall, same inquiring eyes as Soleil’s. He took one look at Liam’s panic ridden shape and his eyes widened.

“You’re not with Violence” he mumbled in terror.

Still breathing heavily, Liam managed to blurt the only words he never wanted his brother to hear.

“Jack Barlowe challenged her”

From that moment on it was a blur. Liam could barely catch up to his brother, his speed abnormal as he ran through cadets and professors. In a matter of minutes, Xaden barged through the gym , which was in utter chaos. Professor Emetterio nowhere in sight and all challenges were put to a stop. Liam wanted to throw up, he could not bring himself to actively look at the mat Violet had been, but his brother kept pushing through the line of cadets.

“She’s not here” a cadet - from Third wing maybe - said, intercepting Xaden.

Liam’s eyes were glued on the mat. There was blood in it…a good amount of it.

“Healers?” Xaden’s voice had a sinister calmness to it.

“Her and Barlowe” the boy nodded.

The motherfucker was also hurt then. Good, Liam hoped he was fucking dying, though he would only celebrate after knowing Violet’s state. Xaden did not wait for anything else and sprinted out of the room, with Liam right behind him.

“Did you know?” Xaden said through gritted teeth “Liam, did you fucking know?”

“She told me this morning” he admitted, mentally scolding himself for his stupidity “I’m sorry-”

“Fuck, Liam!” he yelled.

He did not try to explain or justify anything, neither Liam nor Xaden were mentally prepared for that conversation, specially his brother. Riorson’s entire demeanor screamed desperation, his sprint never slowing down.

“Violet first, fight later” was all Liam managed to say.

The healers quadrant echoed with their rushed steps and soon they reached the extensive infirmary. Ridoc, Sawyer and Rhiannon were all waiting outside.

“They kicked us out” Ridoc explained “nobody is to enter”

Liam genuinely thought Xaden would simply barge through the door and demand answers, but instead turned to his squadmate.

“Explain, detail by detail”

Ridoc exchanged a look with Liam and then Rhiannon, pointing at himself in confusion.

“Uh, she got stabbed and then won by attacking him with oranges” he blurted.

Xaden’s brows furrowed in confusion, just like Liam’s. Oranges?

“Jack is apparently allergic to them, she used a vial of orange peel infusion” Rhiannon explained “he wanted to kill her since parapet and used his powers on the mat, she had no choice, wingleader!”

“He stabbed her” Xaden confirmed, eyes narrowed in rage. Liam could feel the tension on his shoulders. He was fucking pissed.

“On the arm” Ridoc continued “went completely through it, but nothing fatal. They were stitching her up when we were kicked out”

Liam had to hold a hysterical laughter. He was beaming with relief, his friend was alive and only mildly injured, and the best of all…Violet Sorrengail used an orange allergy to win against her opponent. That girl was a menace and he was fucking proud.

“Tell me that the fucker is dying” Liam asked “please”

His squadmate’s disappointed faces were all the answers Liam needed.

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