#but Ridoc literally told her

[sees-writes]

Onyx Storm Spoilers

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I think it’s so funny after Ridoc finds out about Xaden and Violet tells him the whole story, Ridoc asks her what line Xaden would have to cross in which she wouldn’t be able to keep the secret and Violet basically says:

“I don’t know if there is one.”

And Ridoc is like “be so fucking for real.”

And Violet picks a line. I will love Iron Squad till the day I day they mean everything to me.”

[scorpioriesling]

Heeeey!! Love all your stuff! I literally stayed up for two days and neglected my work reading your fourth wing stuff!

If you’re open to requests, would you be willing to write one on Dain? I’m on a Dain high after Onyx Storm LOL

If you’re looking for specifics, I was thinking reader could be Xaden’s little sister, who is the complete opposite of Xaden (she could be sweet and soft spoken).

You da best!

127-C

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Pairing(s): Dain x reader

Warning(s): none

Summary: The new rooming situation was the last thing you expected, especially when said room was to be shared with the least likely candidate -- or, so you thought.

SR’s Note: FINALLY have a day off to write, LOL. I've taken a relaxing bath, done a face mask, made myself some good macaroni for lunch... it's a good day! Also -- I just hit 1000 reblogs/reposts! You guys rock! Kisses on the forehead for all. xoxo (I took this idea and ran with it; I hope you guys likeee.)

Tags: @mellowmusings @rcarbo1 @lilah-asteria @kitsunetori @velarisdusk @nctsawrus @lreadsstuff @freakishfandomfiend @desprrssooo-espresssooooo @loveofmychips (inbox me or comment if you'd like to be added!)

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Your heart sank as you stared ahead, preparing to hear what came out of Professor Kaori's mouth next.

"Since the boy's dormorory building is... unusable, at the moment," he glares sidelong at Ridoc and Sawyer. "We'll be utilizing the girl's dorms for shared sleeping arrangements for the time being."

Many students gasped and murmured around you, and as the brunette second year chuckled, his strawberry-blonde counterpart elbowed him in the ribs. Kaori held his hands up and requested silence once more.

"No need to worry -- the repairations have already begun, so this change shouldn't last long," he assured. "We've paired mostly the same-sexes together, rest assured." Professor Duvera flanked his side, holding a large scroll in her grip.

"Now, please, form a line and we'll get through this as quickly as possible."

✧･ﾟ: *

Leadership had given the riders the rest of the day off, allowing everyone to relocate and move into their new rooms. You remembered what Kaori said when you approached him, and how your heart fell when you realized you weren't sharing a room with Sloane anymore.

127-C.

Last dorm on the top floor.

Though it was unfortunate that your closest friend now had a new roommate for the time being, you were happy to hear you would be on the top floor near the end of the hall. With all these new boys in the building, Gods knew the kind of sounds you'd awake to each night.

After climbing the stairs to the top floor, you approached 127-C. Listening against the wooden barrier, you heard movement inside; surely, your new roommate was already in there.

Taking a deep breath, you turned the knob and strode in, not quite sure who you'd see inside.

However, you never could have prepared yourself for the sight before you.

"Um... hey," you said meekly, waiting for them to turn. In an instant, familiar brown eyes met yours -- and narrowed.

"Can I help you?"

He was using his usual Wingleader tone, and you immediately squared your shoulders.

"This is my room," you said flatly. Dain simply stared at you, halting his movements.

"No, you're mistaken." He deadpans, resuming pulling items from his sack. "This one is mine."

You frowned.

"Professor Kaori said this room was mine-"

Dain stood and huffed, dusting off his hands as he looked to you again.

"Well then Professor Kaori must have told you wrong." He clapped a hand on your shoulder, leading you back to the front door. "C'mon, I'll walk you back down to his office and we'll ask, alright?"

✧･ﾟ: *

"No. HELL no. In what world is this okay?"

You heard your brother's voice before you even walked through the doorway. He was angry, glowering at his superior who only looked back at him in unamusement. Your eyes widened as you walked in, Dain following closely behind.

Xaden's eyes caught on the two of you, and he immediately stomped toward your Wingleader.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing? Sharing a room with my sister? Huh?!" He barked, grabbing Dainm by the shirt collar. Professor Kaori rose at this, rounding the desk to attempt to calm your brother down. You too grabbed at Xaden's arms, tengly tugging him away from the third year.

"Xaden, I think it's just a misunderstanding -- please calm down," you said softly, and your brother turned to look at you. His onyx eyes met your matching ones, and his face softened only a bit. It was enough for him of huff and drop Dain to the floor again.

"That's quite enough of that," Kaori said, stepping between the two males. Dain straightened the front of his shirt once more, his eyes narrowing to your brother.

"Can someone please explain what's going on here?" You asked, clearing your throat and finally speaking up. Kaori sighed and ran a hand over his face before answering.

"I see there was a mix-up with the rooming list, and somehow the two of you were assigned the same room," he explains. Xaden opens his mouth to protest, but Dain beats him to it.

"So we really are sharing a dorm then," he asks, and for some reason you feel a twinge of offense. "Me, and her?"

Kaori holds up a quieting hand.

"For the time being. I want to allow other students to get in and shuffle their things as I try to work out a possible solution to all this."

Xaden folds his arms, his glare never leaving Dain.

"You'll just have to make it work for now. Besides -- I trust you as her Wingleader," Kaori looks to Dain, then to you. "And you, as a Riorson. If this mix-up were any other which way... well-"

"I swear to God, Aetos, you touch a hair on her head-"

"Relax, Riorson." Dain holds up two surrendering hands as your brother starts in again. "I already have to deal with one of you every day, I don't want to make it two."

Xaden growls, and you place a tentative hand on his arm once more.

"Don't worry, Xaden -- I'll be just fine."

He looked to Dain one last time, his brows furrowed.

"You'll be fine once all this is fixed."

✧･ﾟ: *

The rest of the move-in went smoothly, to say the least. You both walked back to the dorm in silence and unloaded the same way, only speaking when needed. Do you care if he puts the dresser at the end of his bed? No. Does he care if you turn the AC on 70 degrees? Not one bit.

What really got him was when you began handing up your posters and vinyls. His amused laugh behind you had you turning to look, and trying not to let the hammer come down on your fingers.

"What?" You asked, snarkier than you originally intended.

He grinned, shaking his head.

"Do you want my help?"

You rolled your eyes.

"I think I know how to use a hammer, thank you." You swung again at the nail, missing and hitting the wall. You groaned in frustration, and set the tool down on your mattress. Glancing out the window, you watched as the sun began to set. Just then, your stomach growled.

"You might want to get goin' if you're getting dinner tonight," Dain suggested, glancing at his bedside clock. "Mess hall is only open for another hour."

You nodded, brushing the front of your shirt flat and turning to face him. As you made way for the door, you spared him only a slight glance before leaving.

"Are you coming?"

He shook his head, his short brown waves moving atop his head.

"I'll be alright." He flashed you a soft, dimpled smile, and you immediately left the dorm. You were lucky to catch up with Sloane on your way, listening to her talk about her new roommate (who was obviously not as great as you) and you were sure to fill her in about your situation.

What you weren't sure about though, were the millions of butterlies batting their wings in your stomach.

✧･ﾟ: *

You'd eaten dinner with your fellow first years, listening to their new developments on their rooming situations and dodging questions about yours. This time next week, you hoped you'd have a better story for them -- but for now, it was what it was.

"I can walk back with you, if..."

You shrugged, pausing before Slaone's door.

"I'll be alright. I'm just down the hall."

She shrugged.

"Hey, maybe this isn't the worst thing -- Dain is really cute, anyway." She winked, and you chuckled.

"I won't tell you you're wrong, but... I do have to sleep with the guy."

Your cheeks burned as you realized what you just said, and how it came out.

Sloane winked, opening her door and walking through it.

"Right."

You stalked slowly back to your new room, groaning when you remembered the mess you had all over your bed. At this hour, all you wanted to do was go in and go to sleep -- hopefully, he'd understand the mess you were leaving on your floor.

Knocking twice on the door, you didn't get an answer. Perhaps he'd left, gone to hang out with his older friends and talk about how sucky the situation was. Still, you entered soundlessly, just in case.

"Dain?" You whispered, finding the room completely dark save for the moonlight streaming in. Your eyes widened as you walked in further, stepping until you were in front of your bed and staring at the wall.

Every poster. Every record. All hung up, no tools to be found.

Heat bloomed in your chest before you could stop it, and you looked to Dain's bed in silence. He lay just there, tucked beneath his blankets while his head rest on a plush pillow. His lips were parted, and soft breaths drew in and out as he slept quietly.

"Thank you," you whispered quietly, your gaze still trained on his lips. You practically had to pry yourself away to get to the bathroom and get ready for bed yourself, wishing you could stay and look at the male all night long.

You tucked yourself into bed that night remembering Sloane's words. She was right, this could be much, much worse. Dain was a nice guy, and your Wingleader nonetheless -- how bad could it really be?

Reguardless, you rolled over in your bed and drifted off to sleep eventually, not having any idea in the world that in a short matter of time, you'd be drifting off in his.

✧･ﾟ: *

[fromevertonow]

ONYX STORM SPOILERS ENDING THEORY

I NEED to know who the missing/dead riders and dragons are, so here is what I know so far:

Garrick and Bodhi: I explained in another post how I think either Bodhi or Garrick turned venin. Garrick is also confirmed missing and we don’t see Bodhi anywhere in Violet’s last chapter.

Panchek: his dragon died, meaning he must have turned venin because otherwise he would have been dead as well. Panchek must be among the missing OR he is believed dead.

POSSIBLE missing people:

Iron Squad: we know that Rhiannon was in charge from her chapter. She makes the decision to regroup and try a different formation to save as much of the group as possible. We don’t see them in the last chapter though. It could be that they are safe and sound, but there is not a single mention of them after Rhiannon’s chapter. The characters consist of: Rhiannon, Sawyer, Ridoc, Cat, and Maren. Please tell me if I’m missing anyone.

Aaric: with his signet he looks way too suspicious. He could literally know everything, told the others to steal the eggs, run away, etc. (edit)

Characters we know are alive and accounted for:

Violet

Brennan

Imogen

Mira

[kingdom-of-sins]

You are the youngest Sorrengail (male!reader)

(OC: Issac Sorrengail. If you want to read him as an OC)

You are the youngest Sorrengail, the youngest child of Lilith and Asher and just one year younger than Violet

"Troublemaker" and "rebellious" is kind of your middle name, but you also prefer "good looking", although your siblings in typical sibling fashion says the last name doesn't suit you at all, especially Mira

You have been yelled at by Lilith multiple times but doesn't it ever affect you? Absolutely not

Brennan's death destroyed you which made you act out more. You say you are fine but really you are just walking around drunk after a random hook up and trip over your mother's dragon. Is pointing at a dragon's tail and accusing it of trying to break your legs a sane thing? Absolutely not. If it was not your mother's dragon you would have been dead.

Lilith wanted to send you to the rider's quadrant to discipline you. You literally danced in front of her and kissed her cheek when she told you "i would have joined the quadrant anyway. You need to find a different punishment for me" Walks out with a grin, leaving a very annoyed Lilith behind.

Your confidence disappeared as soon as you stepped on the parapet. "I am gonna die" X 3 times before every step. But you basically ran at the end when you saw violet on the other side, literally looking in horror at how terrible you were doing.

The annoying rebellious troublemaker Sorrengail survived the parapet. Or as you like to say the "good looking" Sorrengail has joined the riders quadrant.

"Hey Dain, why do you look like you haven't got laid in years?"

"Hey Vi, I hear you have a boyfriend. Who is the unlucky soul?" Immediately gets smacked at the back of the head

"Why are all the marked ones so hot?"

"Okay so Mr. I Am Hiding My real Identity, try not to hit my face during sparring today. Last week you left a nasty bruise"

You were not good at combat in the beginning. Always getting your ass handed to you because these are not just normal bar fights. Violet has specifically asked Ridoc and Boddhi to go hard on you. But once you learned you were almost undefeated.

You defeated Bodhi once and that smug look on your face stayed for an entire week till Bodi wiped the floor with you the following week.

You are mostly with Aaric or Sloan. The two people you call your closest friends. Despite Sloan not liking Violet, she "tolerates" you. And you totally vibe with Ridoc

Andarna always speaks highly and positive about you because she totally supports your rebellious nature. It gives Violet a headache. Tairn calls you the "annoying one". He growls like he will eat you whenever you give him one of your grin, and he probably would have if you weren't Violet's brother.

You met Xaden when he visited Basgaith because of the dragon bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn, and he saw right through you. The guy who is constantly annoying his sister and always around her because he fears people are out to get her.

You are not an idiot. You suspect something is going on but can't figure out what.

You tried to have a one night stand with Sloan but Violet literally pulled you away. There is no way in hell she will let you sleep with Sloan, the person she promised Liam she would protect. So as revenge the next time Xaden visited you hogged him all night and asked about Tyrrish history. You don't even like history. Violet is surprised Xaden allowed you

You almost died at the gauntlet but no one knows. You just showed off like it was easy. Maybe Sloan knows but that's just between you and her.

Then came threshing. You talking to himself, mimicking your mother on what she will say when no dragon bonds with you. Then suddenly a big red scorpiontail appeared in front of you. Not really, you were just too much into mimicking Lilith that you literally walk in front of the resting dragon's mouth. You thought for sure you are going to die. The dragon even opened his mouth and you just braced yourself. "Idiot human" You heard those words in your mind

Violet was relieved when you arrived screaming on top of your red dragon, barely holding on one of his spikes.

"Dionadair. My dragon's name is Dionadair. But he likes to go by Diona". Dionadair growls. " Okay sorry. Dion. He prefers Dion "

You were surprised to find out you are Dion's first rider and it also made you feel special. "You love me" You give Dion a grin. Dion growls "I regret choosing you"

When Violet disappeared (Varrish interrogating her) that's when the real you came out. The protective younger brother trying to find his sister. When Xaden arrived you have already discovered where Violet was being kept and you have already taken two lives. When you saw the state of Violet you were beyond pissed and beyond worried.

That's when your signet appeared. Another mender. You didn't even know what you were doing but somehow you mended her enough for her to hold on till she gets to a real experienced mender.

There was no doubt that you were leaving Basgiath with Violet and Xaden.

You were flying side by side with Tairn to keep an eye on Violet. The entire riot right behind you all.

When you arrived at Aretia you got the shock of your life. Your older brother Brennan is still alive. Brennan expected you to cry or be angry and even hit him, but instead you just walked away in shock, not saying a single word.

Within a day you found out about the rebellion, venins, scribes trying to hide the truth, and that your dead brother is actually alive. "Fuck you" that's the only words you said to Brennan. But you joined the rebellion without another thought. Violet spilled all the secrets she has been holding in and the hug you two shared was very touching

(I might write a part 2 after I finish Iron Flame and read Onyx Storm)

OC: Issac Sorrengail

[anothermarkedone]

THERE’S LITERALLY NO RIDOC FICS AND I THINK THAT’S CRIMINAL! So thank you for being an absolute legend and taking requests for him 🙏🙏

I was thinking what about a Ridoc x reader who is Dain’s little sister but she’s the completely opposite of him. A Weasly twin style prankster who thinks rules are just suggestions. I’d love to see the shenanigans she and Ridoc get up too while also trying to keep their relationship a secret from Dain bc we all know he would freak out

Fourth wing pranksters

Word count: 834 Pairing: Ridoc x Aetos!reader A/N: I saw this request and was immediately inspired. They're head canons, I hope you don't mind nonnie.

Likes, comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated!

One thing was crystal clear

Under no circumstance can Dain find out about you and Ridoc

It’s bad enough that his sweet darling little sister would start dating a guy

But Ridoc?! 

The guy who’s known to be the best prankster in the entire quadrant?

Hell to the fucking no

It’s bad enough that you don’t follow the rules, no matter how much Dain and your father try

You don’t need someone to enable you and join in your behavior

Not as a classmate or as a friend and certainly not as your boyfriend

But if you play it smart, he won’t easily find out

He’s too busy drooling 🤤 over Violet, glaring daggers 😡 at Daddy Xaden 🥵 and being a stuck up rule follower

He’s literally Percy Weasley 🧑🏻‍🦰 since we’re talking about HP references

There was a silly tradition in Fourth Wing that when it’s someone's birthday🎉, they bring a snack🧁 to Battle brief

And it just so happens that Dain’s birthday was the next day

The day before his birthday, he had roped you into helping him make your grandmother's famous caramel apples

He told you that he needed your help last minute of course, so you didn’t have an excuse ready😑

The perfect opportunity for a prank, if you say so yourself🤫

When you and Dain were finally done, you wished him a happy early birthday and told him that you were going to study for a bit with Violet.

He knew that Violet was still pissed at him for reading her memories without permission, but he never expected that his sweet fragile Violet would insure that there would be retaliation

*Cue evil laughter*😈

Dain of course insisted to walk you to Violet's room, to make sure you were safe, he claimed, definitely not to maybe see Violet🤡

You walked into Violets room (or rather, Violet pulled you through the wards that 💪🏻overprotective 🥵Daddy Xaden installed)

You used your signet to see through the wall and waited until you saw Dain walk away

The second he was gone, you slipped out of Violet’s room and into Ridoc’s, who was already dead asleep😴

You climbed on top of him and settled in his lap

Of course, he’s a horny bastard and had other activity ideas🥵

You promised him whatever he wanted after he helped you🤭

He was 100% in after you explained your plan, as if he wasn’t already after your spicy promise😏

You two sneaked into the kitchens

You two went to make another batch of ‘caramel apples’ but oh no😱! there are no apples left😥!

Guess you two have to use the onions…😈

While you started making your grandmother’s caramel sauce, he went to peel the onions

It was one hell of a job to get it done before battle brief, especially since your promise didn’t do anything to lessen Ridoc’s horniness

There were a lot of steamy kisses and inappropriate touches🤤

But Ridoc’s ice signet 🥶 came in handy when the ‘apples’ were done and they had to be cool enough so that it seemed that they had cooled down during the night

You two sneaked the actual caramel apples 🍎 into your room to snack on later

Then you went to battle brief

Once you two were seated with your squad, Dain came in with the tasty onions🧅

He handed them out to professor Kaori, professor Devera and, to your slight horror, even to major Varrish

When Dain handed them out to your squad, you quickly warned them not to eat them🙊

The whole time, you and Ridoc had trouble to keep from bursting out in laughter🤣

Professor Kaori had just started battle brief, everyone’s apple temporarily forgotten in favor of taking notes, when major Varrish suddenly leaped from his chair with an angry shout🤬

Pieces of onion falling from his mouth🤮

Ridoc’s hand squeezed your inner thigh, as if that would keep him from bursting out in laughter

Varrish demanded to know who did it

Of course Dain was his first suspect, but professor Kaori pointed out that it was not something Dain would do😯

Everyone checked their own apples and found onions under the thick layer of caramel

Bodhi subtly suggested that one of the first years could have a signet that can change objects, which would make sense, since the first years had only just bonded their dragons, so they have no control over their signet🙄

And thus, Varrish’s rage turned on the first years

He ordered everyone to leave, except the first years and Dain

You shot your horrified brother a (hopefully) comforting look 😬

As soon as your squad was out of the room, Ridoc grabbed your hand

In his other hand, he held his onion and he was busy licking the caramel from the vegetable🤢

Sawyer laughed that he was disgusting, Violet was satisfied with her small petty revenge and Rhiannon was shaking her her head while mumbling how she was stuck with idiots

Ridoc gave your friends an innocent wave, before dragging you off to fulfill that promise that you made.🥵

[miyaniacs]

Corrupted by Darkness

- Introduction -

Facts ; Wattpad

ACOTAR x Fourth Wing x OC

You know how there’s Good and Bad in the world? Heaven and Hell? Angels and Demons?

For every good person, or fae, there’s an evil one out there. Somewhere.

Well it’s the same for dragons.

And I’m not sure if I found the good one or the bad one.

Hello Family,

I’m sure you all are thrilled to … read from me.

Until I found out you were spying on me the whole time?

Come one! Cassian? Do you have no trust in the way you trained me?

Or you Azzie? You made me a fucking shadow yet you’ve sent your shadows to spy on me?

I know I know, Im still a child in your eyes… but I’m as old as the others around me - besides I’ve survived with you as my “family”, you really think this will kill me?

Anyway, I finally have the privilege to annoy you all with endless letters, the first year is over and I’m still alive baby.

So let me tell you about my year…

On my very first day I made a friend, Rhiannon. We ended up being in the same squad too - Fourth Wing, Flame Section, Second Squad. Two new friends we made in our squad are Ridoc and Liam. I know you told me to stick to the other fae around here… But she’s a bitch and I’m this close to kill her every second she opens her mouth. And I really don’t know why our wing leader is fucking with her- like literally. Humans need to meet more fae, otherwise he’d realize that she’s not special. I really hope more fae will come to the riders and help mixing humans and fae in the future… Geographically our worlds are connected but somehow we are not. Back to this bitch tho. Her Name is Eve and she’s the daughter of some lord from Autumn, who’s dad is or was friends with Beron - this should be enough for you to know that she’s a bitch. So anyway now my friends and our section leader Garrick are now judging Xaden for fucking with her. Which made Xaden, our wing leader, hate me… Don’t ask me why just me and not the others too, but just me.

Maybe it was because I once said to Eve that I know she’s just messing with him because she can’t have the real Shadow boy ( yes I’m talking about you Az) - and he was right behind me. She looked offended tho, so add her to the endless list of girls that want to fuck Azriel, yet he still choses the life of abstinence.

Okay uhmmm all the fighting stuff is actually way too easy for me which is why I’m mainly training with Liam or Garrick and not the other first (now second) years.

The food is awful and doesn’t get better the longer you eat it (pls Rhys I’m begging you, pull some strings and get me a care package).

Well other than that… I know you what you want me to talk about… The dragon who chose me.

Noctis.

What can I say - I or We were the talk of the month when he appeared during Threshing and chose me. Everything around me became black. I couldn’t see anything and then… two glowing red eyes appeared in front of me and he spoke. He spoke in my head.

‘I’ve been waiting for you.’

Then the darkness … vanished and there he was. An enormous black dragon. His scales are razor sharp spikes, his horns ( he has for of them) are so long, I could hold them while riding him. His teeth come close to the size of you Cassian. His tail ends in something that fades into a shadow… just like his wings. They have holes in them and the ends fade into shadows…

He wasn’t a normal black dragon I was sure of that.

Thanks to being a fae I got on top of his back and somehow managed to stay there during the flight.

I’m sure you heard all about the drama that went down afterwards.

He shouldn’t be here.

He’s supposed to stay a legend.

Is he even real?

How can he possible bond to someone?

Rhys.

He doesn’t just look like the Dragon Amren told us about. The one she saw when she first landed on this continent.

He IS that dragon.

And he’s a sarcastic bitch that doesn’t know when to stay out of my head or my business- you two would get along so well.

But he’s pretty cool.

And he’s not screaming in my head rn to write this.

Well… and now to the other matter.

My…signet …

So there’s the one… everyone knows of… Shadow Wielding. That’s kinda obvious with how Noctis looks (and forces me to spend more time with Xaden, since we both have the same signet and he’s told to teach me).

But it’s just one of them… Rhys… I feel it. I feel the blood of the people around me. One time Rhi was bleeding and it just wouldn’t stop and I didn’t know what to do… I just wished it would stop. And then I felt it. I felt her blood running out of the cut on her arm and… I made it stop?

I know it sounds crazy but.. then there was this other time … I was just minding my own business during lunch and Eve had to sit down right in my eyesight and make out with Xaden… I got so annoyed… and just wanted it so end. I thought about blood running down her neck… and then… it started to run. Run out of her nose, down her mouth and…down her neck. She needed to go to the healer’s because it just wouldn’t stop.

Rhys.. what is wrong with me?

Noctis just tells me that he knew why he waited for me.

I know I should go to my teachers.. and learn how to control it.. but something tells me that I shouldn’t.

Oh and Rhys… His power… feels like yours.

Talk to you all later…

Nea.

With a sigh I put away my pen.

Shadows crawl around me and caress my face.

I smile and look at the male behind me.

“Did I wake you up?” I ask him.

“No… But I’m kind of offended our activities knocked me out more than they did to you.” He laughs and gets out of my bed. His lips touch my shoulder blade, right where Noctis marked me. His fingers trace the thin lines on my body, that run from the dragon on my back all over my body.

“They’re beautiful.” He mumbles.

Pfff obviously. Noctis sighs and I feel him rolling his eyes.

“Come back to bed now.” He says and walks backwards, dragging me with him.

[she-whatshername]

Brotherhood Pt 2

This is a bit from the next chapter of 'Drifted', but it clearly works for this prompt as I would 100% hope this would happen if anyone tried to break up with Bodhi. Xaden and Garrick do make the perfect parental duo. If you're confused, read 'Drifted', specifically chapter 4.

They were back at Riorson House, attempting to eat dinner together, though it was rather hard to actually enjoy the meal, what with Xaden still chewing them out for not keeping an eye on Violet and Bodhi for not being able to literally chew his food without the sting in his jaw from the fight earlier in Dorn. With Brennan still gone, his body would have to heal itself for now. Garrick was also feeling the sting of his bruises and his ego as Xaden was laying into him,

“-And for fuck’s sake Garrick you’re literally the one person who can locate anyone and you still lost sight of her?” 

“I know, we’re sorry, cousin.” Bodhi practically groaned, butting in for both himself and Garrick. Seriously, Xaden usually has a stick in his ass from being…well Xaden, but anything that concerned Violet made his mother hen tendencies unbearably worse. “We told you we were at Dorn brokering a deal with-”

“Don’t distract me with that bullshit, Bodhi.” Xaden accused while pointing at him with his fork, “I get it you pulled some strings for us but that’s not going to get you assholes off the hook for-”

“Ridoc ended things with Bodhi.”

Xaden’s eyes snapped over towards his friend, “He what?”

Bodhi’s jaw hung open before he glared at his brother - he didn’t even want to call him that anymore, “Garrick!” 

How the hells did he know that? Well, he knew the answer. Garrick was hyper vigilant to everything even before his signet manifested. Bodhi went to speak again, but the damage was already done. For Ridoc that is. Xaden now had his eyes locked on the poor boy across the dining hall, his shadows creeping across the stone floor to pull the chair out from underneath him, sending him falling backwards onto his ass, much laughter of his friends at the table.

“Xaden!” Bodhi finally said with a harsh whisper before smacking him on the shoulder discreetly. 

“That bastard.” Xaden grumbled, still glaring at Ridoc, who was looking around in all the wrong places to find the source of his misfortune.

Bodhi felt the need to defend both himself and his friend, “We weren’t exclusive. And it's not your business, now please stop.” Seriously, the asshole was now using his shadows to tie the laces of Ridoc’s boots together. 

But, to Bodhi’s own annoyance and poor fortunes, he was currently being ignored as Xaden and Garrick began scheming together on how to make the poor boy pay. 

“We have to do something, right?” Garrick asked.

“Absolutely.” Xaden agreed. Though, after a brief moment he turned to him with an annoyed sigh, “He’s Violet’s friend.” 

“Bodhi’s our brother. And he’s not even Violet’s favorite friend, right?”

Xaden pondered for a moment, “No…but still. We can't kill him. She’ll be pissed.”

“Guys,” Bodhi was almost pleading, “Please stop.”

“I got it!” Garrick’s eyes beamed. “We’ll kick his ass, instead.”

“Ridoc will tell. He’s got a big mouth.” Xaden countered. 

Garrick leaned in closer, looking practically devious, “We kick his ass, tomorrow night, after the Cliffsbane cadets get here. Then, we get Im to erase his memories. So him, Violet and all her friends will think a flier attacked him; they’ll never know it was us.” 

Why the hell was Xaden looking like he was entertained by this idea? “Imogen is his squadmate...you think she’d be down for that?” 

“Oh she absolutely will.” Garrick nodded “When she finds out he dumped Bodhi...look this will be the best plan to safely control her wrath and get in on the revenge ourselves.” 

Xaden gave his friend a hard look before glancing back at Ridoc, “...Tell her to meet us in the kitchen in 1 hour.”

[crisalidaseason]

Seventeenth entry: sometimes you can’t interfere.

There are things above your capabilities, like dealing with dick measuring contests. What are you going to protect your ward from? two guys hopelessly infatuated with her? It’s more fun to watch them embarrass themselves.

****

Protecting Violet Sorrengail was a challenging task. She had many enemies waiting for a split second to slice her throat, a few people in leadership who clearly disliked her connection to Xaden, cadets who thought she was undeserving of her dragons and life - as if she was not the embodiment of an honorable rider. She was also very dangerous to herself and her living meant keeping his own brother in the realm of the living.

Liam managed though, even liked it on some levels. Violet was a nice friend, offered great advice and had an interesting view of the world so Liam made sure to be a damn good shadow. He spotted stabby fuckers and old distrustful scribes from a kilometer away, kept her from getting in trouble when her tongue ran a bit too acidic for Aeto’s taste, he enabled all her asinine ideas - you try to stop Violet Sorrengail from doing something.

But whatever was happening between her, Aetos and Xaden was something Liam could not even begin to interfere with.

Xaden Riorson and Dain Aetos were fucking staring at each other like two teenagers who were love struck by the same girl. They were adults. Riders. Liam supposed that being stupidly infatuated with Violet was not necessarily the bad part - good for her, honestly, she was very pretty - but the two men could at least try to be less pathetic about it. Xaden liked to cover his dislike over Aetos on the Colonel but Liam knew it was fueled by his jealousy over Violet - which was so stupid because she was just as disgustingly obsessed over his brother.

Liam was torn between amusement and frustration.

“What would our objective be, Aetos?”

Mira Sorrengail’s voice finally broke the staring contest and Aetos returned his focus on the mock-Battle brief and the map in front of them “What type of fortifications are there? Are we talking a haphazard wooden structure? Or something more substantial?”

“Like they had time to build a fortress overnight” Ridoc mumbled beside Liam “It has to be wooden, right?”

“You are all so fucking literal” Mira groaned, clearly annoyed at them “Fine, let’s say they occupied a keep that’s already established. Stone and all”

“But the civilians didn’t call for help?” Quin asked “Protocol calls for a distress signal this far into the mountains. They should have lit their distress beacon, alerting patrolling riders, at which time the dragons on patrol would have told all available dragons in the area. The very riders in this room would have mounted first as the reaction force and the others would have been woken from their rests, allowing the riders to prevent the loss of the keep in the first place.”

The older Sorrengail scoffed “Everything you’re taught at Basgiath is theory. You analyze past attacks and learn those very…theoretical combat maneuvers. But things out here don’t always go according to plan. So why don’t we talk about all the ways things can go sideways, so you’ll know what to do when they do, as opposed to arguing that the keep shouldn’t have fallen?”

Liam refrained from looking at Mira directly, but he could notice the weight of a rider’s life on her words. There was a typical arrogance of someone who knew more than them, but also a genuine warning and moment of teaching.

“How many of you have been called out as third-years?” she asked.

Both Emery and Xaden manifested themselves.

“That’s not correct. We’re never called into service until graduation” Aetos questioned.

“Yeah, all right” Emery spat “just wait until next year. I can’t count how many times we’re the ones sitting in these very rooms in the midland forts because their riders have been called to the front for an emergency”

The squad leader seemed to pale at the information and Liam almost felt bad for him. It was not necessarily a secret that cadets were called into service, but it was a rather recent change. Too bad that they had no idea why. Liam doubted even the lieutenants in that very room knew of the real danger outside their wards.

“Now that’s settled. Catch” Mira threw them dragon models.

Liam caught his with expertise, running a finger on the chunky and simple carving.

“Yours are better” Xaden muttered.

Liam smiled. Of course they were better. He was proud of them - which reminded him that he still did not finish Andarna.

“Pretend Messina and Exal don’t exist back there, and we’re the only squad available to take back that keep. Think of the power in this room. Think of what each individual rider brings to the table and how you’d use those powers in unison to conquer your objective”

Silence stretched for a few seconds. Liam waited for Aetos to speak but alas the man was fuming at Xaden. Emery was probably waiting on the first years to embarrass themselves and Quin was deep in thought. There was a frown on Ridoc’s face as he looked at Liam, running a hand on his brown curls in distress.

“But they don’t teach that to first-years” Liam countered to Mira, as neutral as possible.

He made the mistake of looking into the older Sorrengail’s face. Not that Liam felt necessarily intimidated by the woman, he could not afford to do so, but she had just as intense of a stare as her sister. The only difference was that Mira looked at him - and his relic - as if he was the danger. She looked at him and his proximity with her sister like something she needed to fix. Liam noticed, from his peripheral vision, as Xaden went rigid at the sight.

Fuck. That was not going to end well.

Clearing her throat, Violet shifted in her seat and leaned closer to Liam’s side. He glanced at her, expecting everything but finding her staring at Mira warningly. A very obvious message in her amber eyes. For a moment, the two sisters seemed to wrestle in silence - though communication was established within that simple share of looks - before Mira set her widened eyes on Liam again.

“They might not teach you this battle strategy as first-years because you’re all busy trying to stay on your dragons. You had your first taste of strategy during the Squad Battle, and it’s almost May, which means final War Games should be beginning, right?”

“Two weeks” Aetos replied.

But Liam could only think about how strange it felt to have Violet defend him - and Xaden by extent. It was not a bad feeling, just…strange. He always thought that loyalty was his mantra, the reason he continued moving and living - loyalty to his brother, his kin, his sister, his dragon. He was used to giving and receiving loyalty from a very specific set of people. There was something about Violet Sorrengail forsaking her blood ties for him - for them - that sent this constricting emotion down his throat.

Liam felt like fucking shit. Whenever he thought his guilt was under control, Violet had to unknowingly remind him how truthful and loyal she could be.

“Good timing, then. Not all of you will survive the games if you’re not prepared” Mira continued “This kind of thinking will give your squad—your entire wing—an advantage, since I guarantee your wingleader is already assessing every rider for their own abilities”

Xaden, who was stoic and almost casual, did not say a word but had probably already assessed and positioned everyone.

“Who is in command?” Mira inquired “and let’s pretend that I don’t have three years of seniority on even the highest-ranked of you”

“Then I’m in command” Aetos replied, puffing.

“Our wingleader is here” Liam pointed “I would say that puts him in command”

And the words tasted of regret as soon as he uttered them because his brother’s face changed minimally - but just enough - promising the pettiest approach to that conversation. Liam had just catapulted another dick measuring contest.

“We can pretend I’m not here, just for the sake of the exercise. Give Aetos here the position we all know he craves”

Xaden- the little shit that the man is - draped his arms on the back of Violet’s chair in the worst casual demonstration of a claim. Which was also honestly pathetic because Xaden had made no moves - from what Liam was aware of - to finally quench the exhausting tension between him and Violet. That entire interaction was painful to watch to the point Liam wanted to laugh hysterically.

And to think Imogen and Garrick were missing that.

Violet whispered something under her breath - probably and conveniently chastising Xaden - until both of them decided that it would be very appropriate to stare at each other for a few seconds too long.

“You’re. The. Wingleader.” Aetos said between gritted teeth.

That was enough to break the absolutely weird and infatuated staring contest between Xaden and Violet. If they thought that exchange was discreet, they were both delusional.

“I’m not even supposed to be here” his brother said as nonchalantly as always “But if it makes you feel better, for the purpose of War Games, you’d be getting your orders from your section leader, Garrick Tavis, which he’d get from me. You’ll be carrying out your maneuvers as a squad for the good of the wing. Just pretend I’m another member of your squad and use me as you wish, Aetos”

“Why are you even here? No offense, sir, but we weren’t exactly expecting senior leadership on this trip”

“You’re more than aware that Sgaeyl and Tairn are mated” Xaden replied

“Three days? You couldn’t make it three days?”

The air was already tense before, but it was about to snap any moment. Ridoc was almost convulsing while holding in laughter, Emery and Quin were simply annoyed, Mira’s left eye was practically twitching and the other rider’s were clearly amused.

And Liam? He was having a blast!

“It has nothing to do with him” Violet’s patience was nowhere to be seen as she practically slammed her dragon model down “That’s up to Tairn and Sgaeyl”

She jabbed Xaden on the arm out of nowhere and his brother could do nothing but smirk knowingly. Something was really off with their interactions - more than usual.

“Of course you rush to defend him” Aetos countered, hard stare directed at his fucking childhood friend “Though how you can forget that this guy wanted to kill you six months ago is beyond me”

“I cannot believe you went there” Violet was astonished.

“Good job remaining professional, Aetos” his brother said “Really shows those leadership qualities to their best advantage”

“Do you boys just want to whip it out and measure? It would be faster” a rider said from the left.

Liam had to actively smother an ugly cackle.

“Enough!” The older Sorrengail raised her voice.

“Oh, come on, Sorrengail” the same rider complained.

Violet turned to stare at the man. And so did her sister.

“I mean…the older Sorrengail. This is the best entertainment we’ve had in ages”

As if tired of that stupidity, Violet adjusted in her chair with a determined look on her face “Mira has the ability to extend the shield if the wards are down, so the first thing I would do is send her to scout the area with Teine. We need to know if we’re dealing with infantry or gryphon riders”

“Good” her sister praised, moving her own dragon miniature “Now let’s assume there are gryphons”

Violet smiled in a way Liam knew could only be followed by verbal assault.

“You want to do your job? I mean, how you can forget you’re the squad leader is beyond me”

Liam swallowed another laugh.

“Quinn, can you astral project from the back of your dragon?”

“Yes”

“Then I would have you project into the fortress to check for signs of weakness” Aetos continued “And have you report back. Same with Liam. We’d use your farsight to see if you can locate where the gryphon riders are and if there are any traps”

Liam moved a finger, landing his dragon near Quinn’s and Mira’s

“Good. The weaknesses are the wooden gate and the Navarrian citizens they have captive in the dungeons” Mira declared.

“So much for blasting the whole place” Ridoc mumbled.

“You’re an air wielder, right?” Aetos asked Emery, who nodded “So you can shape your dragon’s flames, lead them through the occupied parts of the keep without killing civilians”

“Yes, but I’d have to be in the keep”

“Then you’ll have to get into the keep”

“You want me to leave my dragon and go on foot?” Emery answered to Mira.

“Why do you think we get all that hand-to-hand training? Or are you going to leave all those innocent people to die?” she argued “The real question is, how do we get you close enough without getting you killed? Since I’m guessing the others will be busy fighting off the gryphons that launch once the fireworks start”

“What’s your signet, Aetos?” Quinn asked.

“Above your pay grade” Aetos fired back “Any ideas?”

Liam shuddered at the mention of his signet. Creepy memory stealer.

“Sure” Violet said, still very impatient “You stop ignoring that you have an incredibly powerful shadow wielder at your disposal and ask him to black out the area so no one sees you land”

“You can do that?” Aetos seemed uncomfortable at the thought.

“Are you seriously asking?” Xaden questioned.

“Just wasn’t sure you could cover an area that—”

His brother barely lifted his hands and the entire room was swallowed in shadows. Fucking show off. His head was already bigger than his waist, but Xaden had a chronic necessity to assert power.

“Fuck me” someone mumbled.

“I can surround this entire outpost, but I think that might freak some people out” his brother explained.

Nobody addressed the power display and even Aetos seemed to lay low after that. His brother might be a show off, but he had always been good at making it intimidating.

“Good job” Mira said once their activity was over “Aetos, Riorson, and Sorrengail, I want to see you in the hallway. The rest of you are dismissed”

Liam smothered a wicked smile as Xaden’s face slightly fell into an annoyed look. Oh, how he wanted to be a little fly to witness whatever Mira Sorrengail was planning to say - the woman seemed ready to gut his brother like a celebration chicken.

“You think they’re in too much trouble?” Ridoc asked beside him.

“Definetly” Liam replied.

“Maybe Lieutenant Sorrengail can convince them to pull their shit together. I am honestly tired of it” Quinn said, disappearing into her own quarters.

It was definitely tiring to deal with the weird tension between the three of them, but honestly so entertaining. Though he felt a little bad because Violet seemed very annoyed at them.

“Vi and Riorson were acting weirder than usual, don’t you think?” Ridoc said once Liam closed their shared bedroom’s door.

“You mean their staring was more indecent than usual? Yeah”

Ridoc laughed loudly “Exactly! I thought I was intruding something”

Xaden and Violet sharing looks was something normal, but that instance was…too intimate. Almost as if they were sharing silent words. His brother would look at her as if waiting for a reaction, Violet did react as if something was actually said out loud.

Liam was becoming suspicious.

Previous chapter

Next chapter

[loudtrashphantom]

While reading ACOSF, I'm also dabbling in Iron Flame. I'm 300 pages in. I finished Fourth Wing earlier this year, got 200 pages into Iron Flame and kinda dropped it? Then I read almost all of the ACOTAR series and saw a spoiler for the last of Iron Flame so now I'm reading it and my thoughts so far……

Aaric knows!?

Violet needs to stop this shit with Xaden. He has secrets he can't tell. She is basically doing to Rhiannon what Xaden is doing to her! How can she be mad at him when she's doing it? She knows the concept of the "not my secret to tell" but doesn't understand it with him?

Also, because of the spoiler I saw, I am now looking suspiciously at every time he touches her face. Like, Xaden, I know what you're doing. It became prominent after she tells him she almost told Mira and he immediately touched her cheek. Sir!?

Imogen is growing on me. I love Ridoc and Bodhi and if anything happens to them I will cry. I've already lost Liam (my literal favourite and who's death I sobbed over), I can't lose them too.

That new Commander is pissing me tf off. Dain's dad was bad but this fucker is ugh.

Dain. Dain. Dain. I never liked you. I really didn't. And now you're being pushy!? Forcing Violet into a challenge while injured just to talk to her when she's made it clear she has no interest!? Fuck outta here.

And Rhiannon! Let her in, Violet! She has never shown you that she can't be trusted!

I'm still thinking about my feelings on Sloane. She's Liam's little sister but I don't know how I feel about her. Ya know?

[unfiltered-musings]

MUSINGS ON ONYX STORM

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SPOILERS AHEAD, OBVIOUSLY

This book? A wild ride. The apprehension left from the end of Iron Flame carried on into Onyx Storm.

Still following Violet Sorrengail as she navigates the continent in search of a cure for Xaden. Plenty of action, HEAPS of emotional damage. There were some heartbreaking moments in here. AND THE ENDING. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. The literal words that came out of my mouth were "what the actual f**k Rebecca?"

I like that we had some more building of character relationships, more tension, betrayals and "I probably shouldn't trust you, but here we are" energy was all there. Chemistry and tension built between Violet and Xaden in this one. For me, the use of the shadows in some of the 🌶️ scenes... I liked that.

I LOVED how unhinged Xaden was for majority of this book. So many times both he and Ridoc made me laugh, I couldn't stop giggling. Also, the Dain redemption arc... wasn't expecting to like him.

I'm gonna nitpick. I felt like there was a lot of fluff in there. Now I know Rebecca was stressed and rushed to get this out within the timeline. I still liked the book. I just felt confused for some of it. There were times when I had to go back and re-read certain paragraphs to try and follow it along a little better.

I wasn't a massive fan of the different POV's at the end of the book, but I know there's probably a purpose for that. I get attached to certain character's POV's in a book, and when a new one is introduced I struggle. But there was for sure some key information in those chapters. I know there was also key info from shit that happened on the islands, but that felt dragged out too. A lot of world-building happening for the third book in a series, but that's just my opinion. In saying that though, if I had the next book to immediately move onto, I would probably feel differently about it.

NOW onto some of the conspiracy theories.

NO, I genuinely do not think Violet is pregnant. I don't think she is the type of character who would bring a baby into the world when there is a literal unending war going on at the moment. Babies is the last thing on her mind. Let's strike that one out, straight away 🙅🏽‍♀️🤰🏽

The brother? Xaden's new brother. I was confused about this, I had to go back and re-read his chapter a few times. I was told it was Panchek, but the description and discussion in the chapter didn't support that, just that he was a traitor. I've seen theories that Brennan is the new brother. I didn't even think that for a second. I mean, technically yes because of course, now Violet and Xaden are married. BUT, he's not the venin brother. Rebecca has confirmed that the new brother is one of the missing riders. Therefore, I believe it is either Bodhi or Garrick. I lean more towards Garrick. But here is my supporting evidence.

Bodhi first:

we know he's fed up of Xaden putting him on the sidelines just because he's the only other heir to the throne of Tyrrendor.

Rebecca says that we should look at characters who feel like everything they give just isn't enough. Bodhi as far as we know, only has one signet which is counteracting other people's signets. Maybe he felt useless in this fight against the venin, because his signet wasn't working on theirs.

Bodhi knew Xaden was venin. In Xaden's POV chapter at the end of the book, he says "How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months. How could he willingly walk the path I've fought like hell to leave? He's the last person I ever would have expected to turn, and yet, here we are." Another reason why I don't think it's Brennan, cause from my understanding he was one of the last to find out about it, he didn't know for 5 months.

Right, now Garrick.

Point 3 of Bodhi's also applies to Garrick.

If we go to Imogen's POV chapter towards the end, we know Garrick is burnt out. He's been using his second signet, distance-walking pretty much the duration of the battle. When he brings Quinn and Imogen out of the tower and distance-walks them to wherever Professor Trissa is, he talks to Trissa about the venin. Trissa states she's weaving, but Garrick says "It's still not enough.' Garrick's head hangs as he stands. 'I can't...' He sighs and walks through the door... 'I can't walk again. Even if I made it to Aretia, I'd never be strong enough to get back...So I'd better find some fucking way to do something." If Garrick was feeling defeated because despite everything he and everyone around him was doing, it just wasn't going to be enough, adding on that he's nearing burn out, maybe he was desperate enough in a moment of need to channel from the earth.

A few other conspiracy theories;

Bodhi will be able to remove the memory loss of Violet by counteracting Imogen's signet of memory wiping. I don't know if he'll be able to do this, only because I'm not sure he can counteract signets that have already taken affect.

Berwyn (the venin sage of Xaden's) is actually Naolin. This I believe. I think he turned venin when trying to mend Brennan, and he didn't die, he disappeared, and broke the bond with Tairn, and maybe that's why Tairn doesn't want to talk about him at all? Also apparently Naolin's last name was Berwyn, so that can't just be a coincidence.

There's a theory that Brennan turned venin when HE was trying to mend Mira, becuase there wasn't a siphoning mark on either Dain nor Brennan from Sloane. I don't know about this, I know people have always felt a bit off about Brennan, but apparently siphoning doesn't leave a mark?

Dunne Priestesses set Xaden on a soul-finding journey before they dedicate him to cure him. I like the theory that dedication will cure the venin. Theophanie says to Violet in one of her chapters toward the end "do you know the pain of never being allowed to return, of knowing that it would sever the very thing that's kept me untouchable all these years?" This leads me to believe that if Theophanie were to re-dedicate herself, it would cure of her of being venin, removing all the power it gave her. So I do like this theory.

Sloane and Dain and Mira and Drake. I don't know what's going on between Sloane and Dain, but I feel like theres something there. and there's definitely tension between Mira and Drake. I feel like there's a little bit of hate s*x going on behind the scenes.

I don't know if I have anything else to say. That's it for now.

[caroline-writes]

Chapter 2: The dragon’s den 

Monday came and Monday went and Violet stayed in her apartment. Her phone had buzzed off and, on all day, and she had once again ignored every call or text that she had received. She scrolled through a list of job opportunities, pages and pages of jobs which did not appeal to her or that she was far too over qualified for. She narrowed her gaze as she saw an almost identical advert for a job at the archives, that was the last straw for her as she slammed the laptop shut and pushed herself to her feet. 

Violet picked up her phone and scrolled through the missed calls and texts before she found someone who she actually wanted to talk to: 

Rhi: If you don’t reply I’m going to assume that you’re dead and that means I get custody of Tairn so give me something girl. 

Violet: Not dead. 

Rhi: Oh, thank the gods. I was about to send Ridoc and Sawyer over there to break down your door. 

Rhi: Don’t leave me on read Vi. What’s going on? 

Violet: Lilith happened. She messed with the job I had lined up told me to be in the office today. 

Rhi: You didn’t show 

Rhi: Vi shes going to kill you 

Violet: I’d like to see her try. 

-

This was stupid. Beyond stupid, it was reckless and was bound to get her excommunicated from the family once and for all. After her little text exchange with Rhiannon, Violet had decided that if she was dead to her mother already, she might as well make it permanent. She had sent an apology text to Mira knowing that her sister would be the one who be paying the price of Violet’s insubordination. The journey today would have needed two trains and a bus, Violet’s legs hadn’t been strong enough for the walking in between so she’d ordered herself a taxi. The large modern glass facade of the building loomed above her as she stepped out of the taxi, Tairn pressed himself against her side almost immediately.  

Large metal letters spelt out Tyrrendor above the huge entrance. She was literally about to walk into the heart of enemy territory. She braced herself before pulling on Tairn’s lead and marching with purpose towards the revolving door, she stepped inside and moved into the building. The interior of the foyer opened up into a tall ceiling with wide, open, space with a long reception desk full of people waiting to greet her. Violet explained who she was and was told that she and Tairn could wait, she moved over to a large modern black leather sofa and perched on the edge. 

The competition between Tyrrendor and Navarre as pharmaceutical providers had been going since long before Violet had been born. It had always been one side or the other, and here Violet was stepping over to the dark side and betraying her family while she was at it. Her phone buzzed and she knew without looking that it was Mira calling her, she contemplated answering when a voice called her name. 

“Violet?” the voice was familiar but she couldn’t quite place it, she looked up and tried to hide her confusion as her eyes met the light blue of her neighbour turned hero, Liam, “I know I said I owed you, but coming to my work is a bit much.” she could tell that he was joking but that didn’t stop her cheeks from reddening slightly. The last thing she needed was him thinking that she was some crazy stalker. 

“No...I’m-” 

She was about to explain when a pink haired woman approached and spoke directly to her, “Sorrengail? Mr Riorson will see you now.” Violet quickly got to her feet, too quickly, she held onto the coach for a moment as stars clouded her vision. 

“Sorrengail?” She heard Liam mutter as she followed the pink haired woman towards a lift. 

Together they stepped into the lift and the pink haired woman pressed 22, they stood in silence as the lift counted up, as the doors opened on the 22nd floor Violet pulled in a deep breath. This was it. Now or never. No turning back. All of those cliches ran through her head as she fell into step once more with Tairn trotting beside her. The three of them stopped at a pair of large mahogany doors, the pink haired woman knocked twice before opening a door and ushering Violet inside. 

The room was decorated with more dark mahogany, floor to ceiling windows gave a view out over the city and standing silhouetted against the sky was the man she had come here to see, Fen Rioson turned to face her, he had a warm smile plastered to his lips which did not meet his eyes, they regarded her with calculated suspicion. 

“Please,” he extended a hand as he pointed to a high-backed leather arm chair, “Violet, take a seat. We have much to discuss.” The soft click of the door closing signalled that Violet was now alone with Fen, she followed his instruction and moved to sit in one of the leather chairs while Fen moved to sit opposite her, “I have to say that I am more than a little surprised when I saw that a Sorrengail wanted to have a meeting with me.” It wasn’t a question but he was clearly probing for the reason that she was here. 

Violet paused thinking of how much she wanted to divulge, honesty felt like it would be the best policy, “My mother,” she paused as she watched his dark eyes become momentarily hostile as they narrowed slightly, “she effectively made it clear that while I am an asset to the company, I don’t get to decide for myself who I work for so I decided that she would have no say at all.” 

Fen leaned back in the chair, he steepled his fingers and pressed them against his lips, “So you want to work here?” 

“If you’ll have me.” she reached into her bag and pulled her resume out and tried to hand it to him. 

“Violet,” he held a hand up and watched as she pulled the papers back towards herself, “I know all about your academic achievements. Your work at Navarre speaks for itself, however, I don’t know how I feel hiring a Sorrengail...now I’m sure you are nothing like your mother but the optics on this are something I have to consider.” 

Violet felt cold, she’d come here not expecting to be welcomed with open arms but to be turned away based on her name alone had not even occurred to her. “So, you’re turning me away?” she asked her hand placed carefully on the top of Tairn’s head. 

Fen blinked slowly before pursing his lips, “Not exactly.” he replied before rubbing the stubble on his chin thoughtfully before running a hand through his closely cropped salt and pepper hair, “If you’re offering me loyalty I’ll take it, but that sort of trust needs to be earnt. I don’t know enough about you Violet to say that I can trust you yet.” 

Her throat felt tight at the idea that she needed to prove her loyalty, “And that would mean?” 

He smiled at her forthright attitude, “A probationary period. You use that time to show me that this is where your loyalty lies and then we can talk contracts.��� Violet nodded slowly, at this point she knew she had no other choice. It was either go crawling back to Navarre or do exactly as Fen had said and show that she could be trusted. 

- 

“You’ve lost your fucking mind! That’s it isn’t it?” Mira was livid, beyond livid, she stormed back and forth in the kitchen of Violet’s apartment, “You went to Riorson? They’re the enemy Vi!” 

Violet sat with her head back on the sofa her eyes closed as she listened to her sister pace, “Mom forced my hand. I had no other choice.” Violet’s tone was noncommittal, resigned to her fate, “He almost turned me away based on the fact that my name is Sorrengail. He trusts me about as far as he can throw me Mira, I can’t work for her any more. After all the stuff with Dain and then she sabotaged the job at the archives. I don’t understand her.” Violet sighed in annoyance that her sister didn’t seem to understand that this was truly her last option. 

Mira’s voice sounded conflicted, “I’m sure she had her reasons Vi, she always does.” 

“Yeah, the reason is she wants to control me and I am done being controlled Mira!” Violet all but shouted back at her older sister. Mira’s silence was loud, Violet opened her eyes and glanced up and Mira who looked pained, “She’s always wanted to keep me under her thumb, I get it, I’m weaker than you and Brennan ever was but I need to do this for myself.” 

Mira reached out and placed her hand on Violet’s head, “She’ll tell me I can’t see you, she’ll feed me some corporate line that if I see you again, I’ll have betrayed her.” she sounded close to tears now. 

“If she does that, she’s proving that she’s the monster I always thought she was.” Violet replies with a shrug. 

- 

Rhi: Tyrrendor really? 

Violet: News travels fast 

Rhi: Your mom is losing it 

Rhi: Like seriously she shouted at three different people today 

Violet: And she’s normally so calm. Sorry, I guess. 

Rhi: We on for coffee tomorrow? 

Violet: You telling me she hasn’t banned you from seeing me? 

Rhi: I’d like to see her try. 

Violet smiled to herself as she put her phone away Tairn pushed his nose into her knee reminding her that it was time for her evening pills, as she walked across her apartment to collect them there was a gentle knock on her door. Her sister had been gone for hours and she doubted that Rhiannon was going to be paying her a surprise visit when she was seeing her tomorrow. She walked over to the door and opened it to reveal her neighbour and now work colleague? Liam stood, at her door, with a shy smile. 

“Hi,” he greeted with a wave, “so hi, yeah...I’m having a house warming party on Friday and seeing as I guess we’re more than just neighbours and damsels in distress to one another now, I wanted to invite you.” Liam chuckled to himself and Violet couldn’t help but smile too. 

“You don’t think I’m a crazy stalker?” She asked leaning on the door frame. 

He beamed at her, “The thought did briefly cross my mind but then Imogen came to collect you so I realised you were there on more official business. I uh didn’t realise you were a Sorrengail though. I imagine that went down well.” 

“Like a lead balloon. My mother is working on having me emancipated or whatever the opposite is for when a parent no longer wants to be involved with a child.” she laughed again but stopped as she realised that Liam hadn’t joined her, “I’ll be fine, she’ll get over it and if she doesn’t, I’ll find a way make Mira come over to the dark side too.” 

“The dark side? I that what you think we are?” he quirked an eyebrow at her with a small smile. 

Violet smiled back, “I guess only time will tell.” 

Liam nodded in agreement, “Friday, 7:30, you should come. It’d be nice to actually get to know you rather picking you up off the floor or seeing you at work.” 

She blushed again at the memory of their first encounter, she was sure that she was never going to live that down, he would be re-telling that story for years to come, “Yeah that sounds good. I have physio at 6 until 7 but I’ll be sure to join when I can.” she wasn’t even sure why she had added that she had physio, something about Liam made him easy to trust. She wanted to get to know him, wanted to be his friend. 

“I’ll probably see you around the office before then but I’m looking forward to it.” he saluted her and stepped away from her door before heading into his flat number 14, he’d never actually shared which neighbour he was, she waited until he had closed his door before stepping back inside and pushing her door closed as well. She looked back at her apartment wondering for a moment what she had been about to do before he had knocked when an insistent whine from Tairn reminded her, ah yes, meds. 

[storieschats]

Fourth Wing Reactions Book 2 Update 3

Note: Check out the previous reactions here. Comment, reblog and talk to me about books whenever you want to!

Where I am: Page 340 of 719. I'm at the bit where Violet has just told the other members of her squad what's really going on, the next chapter will be her and Aaric and the group trying to get a book from a secret archive.

Positive points:

I think the revolution is starting to make a bit more sense. I liked the fact that Xaden told the others that he wasn't going to destroy their country to give them weapons which... Thank you!!! That was one of my problems with what they were doing! They were all “ugh the shields protect us but leave the other countries in danger”, which ok but we can keep the shields, the people behind those shields are innocent too so I liked that part.

I'm enjoying learning more about the world in general and about the dragons!

Love you Tairn! Love you Ridoc! Love you Rhi.

Negative points:

The book is a bit boring, which is not a good thing because the writing is also not great... It's a bit bad, like if it's boring at least you have to give me beautiful descriptions or philosophical questions to think about.

I don't knoww uhm Xaden still annoys me a bit but I think it's getting better.

Stars so far: ⭐⭐, I feel like I'm halfway through the book and nothing has happened.... What the hell happened in these 340 pages?! Varrish is crazy, the second year is basically just torture and getting your bearings in a forest, Xaden and Violet don't trust each other but are starting to. There you go the book so far, literally no relevant information.

Predictions: Catriona, who is Xaden's ex, has appeared and I bet she'll be trouble eventually ‘cause obviously.

[caotica-e-quieta]

The book never lets violet get the upper hand in ANYTHING.

1 Within their relationship, Xaden talks her down like she's a child. He always has to know everything, he's alwaya right abiut everything. There never was a single stance where she knew something he didn't, or did something he couldn't;

2 she's such a bad rider she needs a cell in order to mount her dragon without falling and CANNOT get off on her own like the others;

3 while we're told she's the smartest, she's ALWAYS being outsmarted by literally any other character in page;

4 whenever she tries to execute some plan of her own, it always gets hijacked by Xaden or any other character;

5 Tairn disregards their bond so often it makes you question if there's any. He serves more loyalty to xaden (because of sgayl) than he does her. And you can't accept the excuse that tairns favors xaden because the 4 of them are bonded, because sgayl NEVER stands with violet by any length or mean. It's like the three of them are bonded to xaden, instead of it being xaden/sgayl+tairn/violet. Which cheapens the whole thing, when REPEATEDLY, violet keeps on being betrayed and fooled by her own dragon when sgayl wpuld never treat xaden that way;

6 What's that bullshit with her powers? Somehow as time evolves Violet gets worse with them instead of better? Not only that, her power fell back with being boring and completely useless, and she can't master a single aspect of it. Not only that, but this very fact is repeatedly thrown against her face and she does nothing about it;

7 She can't do the runes either!;

8 Only managed to win/escape the RSC interrogation because of the runes XADEN rammed into her dagger. so technically, their squad don't actually have any merit in winning that patch;

9 She's emotionally STUPID. Thinks with her pussy. Completely insane. Cannot stand for herself. I'm confident Xaden could strike her across the face and she'd be like "sigh I probably deserved that!". In this book, her mental age regressed to something like 13 years old; she's so emotionally incompetent, various characters keep on throwing it on her face, and this is funny considering how in the first book she was so much better in catching clues, being overall coherent to her age and being able to SET BOUNDARIES. Somehow, here, Xaden is a wise saint, he's the one setting boundaries and being emotionally inteligent - he's the one explaining how she feels or should feel in the face of adversity. And this is unacceptable if you consider we started this story with a clever, stable violet who will do whatever she needs to survive and straight up sets boundaries to him of what she needs or how she can't take him if he won't conform. Here? THE OTHER WAY AROUND;

10 She's not only a so/so fighter, but there's another bitch out there with her exact fighting technique, because she's so useless, her fighting came from a man who taught the two of them the exact same things!!! And she has the weakest body!!!! (Don't argue that she also learned some from rhiannon, because once again: it's still not her merit);

11 Whats that with failing the wards? Just to pile on things she can't do?;

12 Even though she has the best dragon, Violet is so irremarkable, she can't secure rank or respect from anyone;

13 Even her siblings mount on her, saying what she should do or feel, and once again, violet does not argue AND accepts their input. So even within her siblings, she's the passive one;

14 everyone keeps on saying violet is the best of her year, but in reality, considering canon itself, Violet is the worst rider (needs the harness to fly), weakest rider (body), worst fighter, can't control her signet and keeps on being outsmarted by everyone. Even Ridoc!!! Who somehow knew something about the archives she didn't.

SO. In this exercise, I tried to point out all the ways - which are EVERY WAYS, where Violet doesn't actually excel at anything. Ahe's bad at literally EVERYTHING. Narrative doesn't let her get the upperhand ONCE, not even emotionally, sexually, or intellectually. Not in her relationship, her bond, her flying and fighting - Rebbeca Yarros doesn't allow Violet a SINGLE triumph. She doesn't have any power, any sway; she doesn't do anything, things just happen to her.

Why is SHE our hero? I get some of you bitches are bella swan levels of lame and need self inserts in order to read anything, but this is beyond belief - hiw any woman would like to read a book about a useless powerless witless doormat of an unremarkable woman who keeps on being swished around by a dude who keeps on gaslighting and controlling her like a puppet. And we're supposed to find him hot! Yay!

[mistwraiths]

2.5 stars

Iron Flame felt for the most part like a slog. It's filled with unnecessary filler and full of information that only somewhat makes sense. I personally feel it featured character assassinations of both Violet and Xaden because I couldn't STAND either. The last 80% is so jammed pack its a clusterfuck of trying to understand what's happening. I also REALLY need a character list of riders and dragons and whatever because there's too many fucking named characters.

For the majority of this book, Violet and Xaden fight. She's mad at him for keeping secrets and while some of its understandable, the fact that it drags on and on AND ON is just frustrating. They fuck too eventually and still fight and hardly communicate, it's so unhealthy. Xaden is annoying with his "you need to ask the right questions" bullshit too. Also his second signet secret, which should have been told to her earlier because he knew how she felt about that kind of thing.

Violet also because SO frustrating and annoying. She's constantly going "it's my fault!" about literally EVERY FUCKING THING going wrong. If Rhiannon tripped and broke her leg I'm sure Violet would somehow blame herself. In Fourth Wing, Violet was always a bit of a Super Special Girl and she just gets more and more that way. She also became weirdly insecure and less confident in this book, and we had to suffer through girl hate and jealousy.

Xaden is still very much my world revolves around you only about Violet and that's pretty much all I know about him.

The side characters here were what were the best. Rhiannon. Ridoc, Sawyer, Sloane, Imogen, Aaric. I really liked Dain's redemption. The dragons too made this so much more bearable. Tairn. Andarna, although of course she is also super special girl for super special Violet.

The whole politics, war, etc still doesn't quite make a whole lot of sense. I get why people are pissed or crying and upset about the ending. I laughed only because of course??? It's so almost ridiculous its FUNNY. Also, she just gets in bed with him when he's turning Venin like.. sure okay lmao

I almost still want to continue to read this just for laughs

[loath3d]

the smile he allows to grace his lips is one showing arrogance and confidence, but he wishes for nothing more than to smile at her. violet can match him in nearly everything when it comes to verbal interactions, and to be able to show more of himself is something xaden yearns for... but such cannot be achieved. not now, and not ever; not if either of them want to keep a level head on their shoulders. a mistake, he'd told her, but it had also been a lie. brows lift at the woman's initial response, but it's what she says next that has him almost openly and literally stumble. she's challenging him?

xaden wouldn't dream of refusing such a thing, and with both brows still raised, he'll glance to his friends on either side of him and nod. ❝ matthias, ❞ he'll address the other woman, all sparring between them halting. ❝ work with ridoc, will you? he could use some help with his form. ❞ she nods and walks off the mat, but xaden doesn't miss the smile and wink shared between the two women. clearing his throat, he approaches violet and begins to remove his daggers and any other weapons on his person, onyx gaze never once leaving her face. ❝ you sure you want to do this? ❞ he replies with ease, moving forward as the last dagger falls from his calloused hand and stopping only a foot away. ❝ i'll let you retract your challenge just this once. ❞ he knows she won't, though.

violet feels the subtle caress of xaden's shadow. something that was alluring to her. something that was impossible not to feel. the goosebumps raising on her skin betraying her. control yourself, dammit. she thought to herself as she glance in his direction, her lips curving into a small smile despite the focus on the sparring. why is she smiling? she's not supposed to do so. do you not remember, violet? it was mistake. sweet divine mistake that she can still felt deeply in her bones.

she's aware of his presence before he speaks, but she doesn't let on. meeting his gaze briefly, she raises an eyebrow at his comment. " oh, is that so? " she retorts, her tone playful yet with an underlying challenge. with a flick of her wrist, she deflects rhiannon's attack before smoothly countering with a swift jab, her movements fluid and controlled. there's a spark of competitiveness in her eyes as she meets xaden's gaze once more.

" maybe you should show me how it's done, captain brooding. " she teases him right back, her smirk widening slightly as she feigns innocence, though she knows all too well the effect she has on him. despite the tension between them, she enjoys these moments of banter, a welcome distraction from the complexities of their situation.