Xaden Quotes

“She can't die, and not just because there's a chance I won't survive. She can't die because I know I can't live without her even if I do.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“You have to fight, Vi,' Xaden whispers against my forehead as we move. 'You can hate me all you want when you wake up. You can scream, hit, throw your fucking daggers at me for all I care, but you have to live. You can't make me fall for you and then die. None of this is worth it without you.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“So then why are you here, Xaden?'

'Because I can't seem to stay away.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“We hadn't even kissed, and I fell.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I know. I made it my business to know everything there was to know about you the second I saw you on the parapet.'

'Because that's not creepy.' I let the coffee warm my freezing hands.

'Can't know how to ruin someone without understanding them first,' he says quietly.

I lift my gaze to find that his is already on me. 'And is that still your plan?' Mira's words have haunted me for two days.

He flinches. 'No.'

'What changed?' Frustration tightens my grip on the mug. 'When exactly did you decide not to ruin me?'

'Maybe it was when I saw Oren holding a knife to your throat,' he says. 'Or maybe it was when I realised the bruises on your neck were fingerprints and wanted to kill them all over again just so I could do it slowly. Maybe it was the first time I recklessly kissed you or when I realised I'm fucked because I can't stop thinking about doing more than just kissing you.' My breath catches at his admission, but he just sighs, lets his head fall back against the wall. 'Does it even matter when, as long as it changed between us?'

'Don't do that,' I whisper, and he lifts his head again to hold my gaze.

'Do what? Tell you I can't get you out of my head? Or speak directly into yours?'

'Either.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“He yanks me close and kisses my forehead. 'There is no me without you,' he says against my skin.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“If I asked you to stay behind, would you?' His eyes bore into mine.

'No.'

'Exactly. I try not to pick fights I know I can't win.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“Tell me what you're thinking.'

I wind my arms around his neck. 'I was thinking you are exactly as I predicted the first time you took me in my room.'

'Oh yeah?' He draws back, curiosity sparking in his eyes. 'And what exactly was that?'

'A very dangerous addiction.' My gaze skims over the silver line of his scar, the thick lashes so many women would kill for, and over the bump in his nose to that perfectly sculped mouth. I've already told him that I love him, so it's not like I'm keeping secrets over here. Hell, compared to him, I'm an open book. 'Impossible to sate.'

His eyes darken. 'I'm going to keep you,' he promises, just like he did last night. Or was it this morning? 'You're mine, Violet.'

I lift my chin. 'Only if you're mine.'

'I've been yours for longer than you could ever imagine.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I'll take care of you. Just... just live. Please live.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I reach for her. 'I'm so sorry I had to keep...' My words die on my tongue as she steps back, avoiding me.

'Not happening.' A world of hurt flashes in those hazel eyes, and I fucking wither. 'Just because I believe you and am willing to fight with you doesn't mean I'll trust you with my heart again. and I can't be with someone I don't trust.'

Something in my chest crumples. 'I've never lied to you, Violet. Not once. I never will.'

She walks over to the window and looks down, then slowly turns back to me. 'It's not even that you kept this from me. I get it. It's the ease with which you did it. The ease with which I let you into my hear and didn't get the same in return.' She shakes her head, and I see it there, the love, but it's masked behind defences I foolishly forced her to build.

I love her. Of course I love her. But if I tell her now, she'll think I'm doing it for all the wrong reasons, and honestly, she'd be right.

I'm not going to lose the only woman I've ever fallen for without a fight. 'You're right. I kept secrets,' I admit, pressing forward again, taking step after step until I'm less than a foot from her. I palm the glass on both sides of her head, loosely caging her in, but we both know she could walk away if she wanted. But she doesn't move. 'It took me a long time to trust you, a long time to realise I fell for you.'

Someone knocks, I ignore it.

'Don't say that.' She lifts her chin, but I don't miss the way she glances at my mouth.

'I fell for you.' I lower my head and look straight into her gorgeous eyes. She might be rightfully pissed, but she sure as Malek isn't fickle. 'And you know what? You might not trust me anymore, but you still love me.'

Her lips part, but she doesn't deny it. 'I gave you my trust for free once, and once is all you get.' She masks the hurt with a quick blink.

Never again. Those eyes will never reflect hurt I've inflicted ever again.

'I fucked up by not telling you sooner, and I won't even try to justify my reasons. But now I'm trusting you with my life- with everyone's lives.' I've risked it all by just bringing her here instead of taking her body back to Basgiath. 'I'll tell you anything you want to know and everything you don't. I'll spend every single day of my life earning back your trust.'

I'd forgotten what it felt like to be loved, really, truly, loved- it'd been so many years since Dad died. And mom... Not going there. But then Violet gave me those words, gave me her trust, her heart, and I remembered. I'll be damned if I don't fight to keep them.

'And if it's not possible?'

'You still love me. It's possible.' Gods, do I ache to kiss her, to remind her exactly what we are together, but I won't, not until she asks. 'I'm not afraid of hard work, especially not when I know just how sweet the rewards are.. I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself, over and over, then I'll do it. You gave me your heart, and I'm keeping it.' She already owns mine, even if she doesn't realise it.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I love you, the world does not exist for me beyond you. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“Live up to your nickname and fight this, Violence,' Xaden whispers against my ear.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I was fucking terrified, Violet. There aren't adequate words.'

'I'm fine, Xaden,' she says softly, her hand rising to rest above my pounding heart.

'I thought I was going to lose you.' The confession comes out strangled, and maybe it's pushing my luck after all I've put her through, but I can't keep from leaning forward and brushing my lips over her forehead, then her temple. Gods, I'd kiss her forever if I thought it would keep the coming argument at bay, keep us in this one pristine moment where I can actually believe that everything might be all right between us, that I haven't irrevocably fucked up the best thing that's ever happened to me.

'You aren't going to lose me.' She gives me a puzzled look, smiling like I've said something peculiar. Then she leans in and kisses me.

She still wants me. The revelation makes my heart fucking soar. I take the kiss deeper, swiping my tongue over her soft lower lip and gently sucking on the tender curve.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I want you more than my next breath. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“Deigh,' Liam whispers, falling limp against Tairn's back.

'I'll get you to him,' I promise, already fumbling with the strap's buckle. 'Deigh's gone,' I cry to Xaden, my voice a trembling mess. 'Liam is dying.'

'No,' I feel his terror, his sorrow, and his overpowering anger wrap around my mind, mixing with my own until it hurts to breathe.

Minutes. We have minutes.

'Just hold on,' I whisper to Liam, fighting not to cry as he looks up at me with those sky-blue eyes, wide with shock and pain. After everything Liam has given up for me, this is the least I can do for him. I can get him to Deigh the same way I know he would carry me to Tairn or Andarna.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“No, Liam,' Xaden chokes out as he crouches in front of us, the muscles in his face working to control his expression, but there's no hiding the despair that pushes at our mental connection.

'Deigh,' Liam pleads in a strangled whisper, turning his head toward Xaden.

'I know, brother,' Xaden's jaw flexes and our gazes lock above Liam as tears overflow my eyes. 'I know.' He leans forward and lifts Liam into his arms, then stands, carrying him. 'I'll take you.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“Three never-ending days I've spent in this armchair, walking a knife's edge between sanity and madness, studying every rise and fall of her chest just to be sure she's still breathing.

My lungs only fill when hers do, and the time between my heartbeats is filled with sharp, all consuming fear.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“Miraculous.'

'What's miraculous?'
...
'You are.' I set the empty glass on the nightstand and then turn back to her, gazing into the hazel eyes that have haunted me since Parapet. 'You are miraculous,' I finish in a whisper.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“You smell like dragon ass.'

'Fuck off.' I chance a whiff and can't argue. 'I'm using your room'

'I would consider it a personal favour.'

I extend my middle finger and head toward his room.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I'll spend every single day of my life earning back your trust. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“Even when I'm not with you, there's only you. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“It's already snowing up the pass. I bet we get 7 inches tonight... Maybe more if your good. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“I fucking love your hair. Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“I'll make it up to you,' I promise, holding her delicate hands between my rough ones. 'I'm not saying we won't fight or you won't want to throw those daggers at me when I'm inevitably an ass, but I swear I will always strive to do better.'

'Make what up to me?' She pulls away with an inquisitive smile.

I blink as her brow furrows. Has she lost her memories? 'How much do you remember?”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I haven't left this room since we got here.' Our gazes collide, and it's all I can do not to reach for her, but I know I'm the last place she'll seek comfort. 'I haven't left you.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“There's no where in existence you could go that I wouldn't find you remember? Xaden to Violet.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“Which one are you calling out for? Because it's just you and me in this room, Vi, and I don't share.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“He snaps his fingers and the room illuminates, mage lights hovering above us. “You’re all fucking dead.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“- Perderías todo por lo que has trabajado por salvarme, por mi…
- Pues entonces seguiré teniendo todo lo que necesito, con mucho gusto vería al mundo arder hasta las cenizas si eso significa que tú sigas con vida.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame

“Xaden Riorson is now in the business of keeping his mortal enemy alive.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing