Ruthless 🗡️/ Fourth Wing

Chapter~28

I can feel the weight of his arms still around me, holding me in place, a silent reminder of what just happened. My head rests against his chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat steady beneath me, but my mind is a storm. I want to push away from him, to break free from this space we've created. But every time I try to move, his grip tightens.

I shift slightly, attempting to ease myself out of his hold, but he only pulls me closer. I lift my head, meeting his gaze. His eyes are dark, filled with a mix of something unreadable—maybe regret, maybe something else. He's playing with a loose strand of my tangled hair, twisting it between his fingers like it's a lifeline.

"This means nothing. Your words exactly," I say, my voice betraying me, the vulnerability slipping through despite my attempts to sound indifferent.

His expression doesn't change, but I feel his chest rise in a deep, measured breath. "Nora, I'm not the type. And you know that."

I stare at him, and my stomach twists at the familiar tone in his voice. I know what he's saying, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. I wish I didn't feel this, wish I didn't care. But the truth is, I do. And I can't ignore it.

"Oh, I know," I say, my voice sharp as I pull myself free from his grasp, standing up. I'm completely naked, and I don't care. His eyes linger on me for a moment, just long enough for me to feel exposed, but I refuse to be ashamed. "Go get packed," I add, my tone flat, as I turn away from him, walking toward the window.

His eyes follow me, watching every step, and I can feel the tension in the air thickening. Then, unexpectedly, he speaks again, his voice soft but filled with something I can't quite place.

"I never noticed that scar on your back," he says, his tone almost gentle as he reaches for me. His touch is warm as his fingers brush against my skin, trailing over the scar that runs down my spine.

I flinch slightly, but I don't pull away. I've had this scar for years, but somehow, it feels different now, under his touch.

"108," I say, my voice tight, my back straightening as I pull away from him and walk to the far side of the room. I don't look back, but I can feel his eyes on me. "Children of the rebellion. We took responsibility for"

He looks at me sideways, confusion flickering across his face. He doesn't understand, and I know he won't, not yet.

I let out a breath, shaking my head slightly as I began to pace again, the tension in the room building as I tried to collect my thoughts. "I took responsibility for you" I add quickly, the words slipping out before I can stop them. The truth stings, but it's necessary. The weight of that responsibility has always been mine, even when I didn't want it.

I stop in front of him, my eyes locked with his. He's silent now, but the understanding is there, barely.

"What are you waiting for?" I ask, my voice hard, but there's a flicker of something softer beneath it. "I can walk. Let's go."

For a moment, he just stands there, watching me with a strange look in his eyes. I know he's processing everything—everything we've just done, everything we've been through. But it doesn't matter. We have a mission. We have responsibilities. And I won't let this change that.

Xaden's gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, before he nods, his expression unreadable. He doesn't say anything more. He just walks toward the door, pulling on his jacket, and I follow, feeling the weight of his silence pressing on me. Neither of us speaks again as we prepare for what's next, but I know things have shifted between us. We've crossed a line we can't uncross.

And maybe that's for the best.

—

The journey to Bhaltair felt less like a simple ride and more like an odyssey, one that tested my endurance and resolve at every turn. Perched atop Arrax's back for what felt like an eternity, the hours seemed to stretch endlessly, each moment a reminder of the daunting path we had chosen. Xaden, riding alongside me on his dragon, cast occasional glances my way, his expression a mixture of disbelief and quiet concern. Arrax's powerful, steady wingbeats resonated beneath me, each beat in rhythm with the pulse of my heart, as we flew toward the distant kingdom.