“And?” His jaw locks.
“And everyone here will know I can’t keep my seat without it.” Heat stings my cheeks.
“Hate to break it to you, Violence, but everyone already knows that.” He gestures to the saddle. “That right there is the most practical way for you to ride. It has straps across your thighs to buckle yourself in once you’re up, and theoretically, you should be able to change positions on long flights without unbuckling, since we built in a lap belt, too.”
“Theoretically?”
“He wasn’t amenable to me giving it a test flight.”
“You can ride me when the flesh rots off my bones, wingleader.”
Well, that’s descriptive.
“Look, there’s no rule against it. I checked. And if anything, you’ll be doing Tairn a favor by freeing all his power and taking the weight of worry off his mind. Mine too, if that helps matters.”
My fingernails bite into my palms as I search for another reason, another excuse, but there isn’t one. I might not want to appear different than every other rider on this field, but I already am.
“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.” Xaden’s expression remains bland, bored even, but his eyes heat as his gaze drops to my mouth.
“And you say this now, where people will see if you actually do.” My breath catches.
“When did I ever give you the impression that I give a fuck what people think about me?” A corner of his mouth rises, and now it’s all I can concentrate on, damn him. “I only care what they think about you.”
Because he’s a wingleader.
Nothing is worse than cadets gossiping that you’ve slept your way to safety. That’s what Mira warned at Parapet.
“Mount up, Sorrengail. We have a battle to win.”
I rip my gaze from his and study the exquisite, intricate structure of the saddle. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Xaden.”
“You’re welcome.” He turns but leans into my space, and a shiver dances down my spine when his lips brush my ear. “Consider my favor fulfilled.”
“Is that a saddle?”
I jump back from Xaden, but he doesn’t budge an inch as Dain interrupts, holding a giant yellow flag on a four-foot pole, his eyes wide as he stares at Tairn.
“No, it’s a collar,” Tairn snips, snapping his teeth together.
Dain backs up a few steps.
“Yes,” Xaden answers. “Have a problem with it?”
“No.” Dain looks at Xaden like he’s being unreasonable. “Why would I have an issue with it? I’m fine with whatever keeps Violet safe, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Good.” Xaden nods once and turns toward me. “Bet it would be even more awkward if I kissed you now, huh?”
Yes, please.
“The next time we kiss had better not be just to piss off Dain.” The next time had better only be because we want it.
“Next time, huh?” His gaze lowers to my mouth again.
And of course, now that’s all I’m thinking about, the feel of his lips on mine, the way his hands always cradle the nape of my neck, the slide of his tongue. I stop myself from leaning in. Barely. “Go lead your wing—or do whatever it is you do.”
“I’ll be stealing an egg.” His smile flashes before he turns back to Dain. “Keep our flag out of First Wing’s hands.”
Dain nods and Xaden leaves, heading across the field to where Sgaeyl waits.
“It’s a great saddle,” Dain says.
“It is,” I agree, and Dain offers me a smile before walking toward Cath.
Moving toward Tairn’s foreleg, I have to laugh as he dips his shoulder for me. “What? No ladder?”
“We thought about it and decided it would make you too vulnerable.”
“Of course you thought about—” I pause before climbing when a flash of gold gallops toward me. “Andarna?”
“I want to battle, too.” She skids to a halt directly in front of me.
My mouth opens and shuts. Andarna has been flying with us, and for short times, she can keep up with Tairn, but the way those scales shine in the sun is a beacon for…everyone.
But if I can have a saddle, then—
“Got it.” My eyes sweep the flight field, which is at the height of its muddiest since the runoff season from the snowy peaks above. “Go roll.” I point to the mud. “Unless that’s going to mess with your wings? It’s the scales on your belly I’m most worried about being easily spotted.”
“No problem!” She races off, and I mount Tairn, finding the actual saddle covering the seat at the base of his neck and the pommel scales.
