Sgaeyl and Tairn walk the wall above us, keeping pace. “They don’t want us any closer to their primary temple.” “It’s not their temple we’re interested in,” Cat mutters beside him. The captain must win the argument because the guards part to allow us through. I glance at their chest plates and find the etched symbol of two crossed swords gripped in

Xaden tilts his head, studying the king. “Violet.” My heart skips into double time. “My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else,” Xaden says. “Then Tyrrendor. Then Navarre in the moments it’s worthy—usually when Violet is in residence.”

“You see, Dain’s too honorable to wield in a challenge, but you’ll find that my sense of morality has learned to…waver.” I retrieve another dagger and shake it in her direction. “You lift your hand against him again, and the next one goes through it. He’s the reason you’re alive. The reason you’re all alive!” Power thrums through me, buzzing with

You can and should expect to face a dark wielder with the same abilities as your friends, your squadmates”—she glances my way—“and yourselves.”

“Our door,” I correct him. “I choose you. I choose whatever risk this brings. I see every part of you, Xaden: The good. The bad. The unforgivable. That’s what you promised, and that’s what I want—all of you. I can handle myself, even against you if I have to.” His gaze darkens. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

enough to a soldier that the woman’s hair blows sideways as she gasps. “She said to get fucked,” Xaden replies to their

And the tomes

Gods, if I channel too much while attached to him… “He’s been a great deal closer when you’ve wielded,” Tairn reminds me, and—

subluxate.