Chapter 32 of Fourth Wing explores the emotional turmoil of the protagonist as she navigates her feelings for Xaden amidst the backdrop of a kingdom in turmoil. The chapter delves into themes of love, loyalty, and the weight of responsibility, as the characters confront their fears and desires. Readers will experience the tension of a pivotal moment on Conscription Day, where personal stakes intertwine with broader conflicts. This chapter is essential for fans of romantasy and those invested in character-driven narratives. It captures the complexity of relationships in a world filled with dragons and danger.

Key Points

  • Explores the protagonist's emotional conflict regarding her feelings for Xaden.
  • Highlights the significance of Conscription Day in the context of the kingdom's turmoil.
  • Delves into themes of love, loyalty, and personal sacrifice.
  • Showcases the characters' struggles with responsibility and their evolving relationships.
newtopiccyclegrowin
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
History
newtopiccyclegrowin
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
History
102
/ 14
As for the 107 innocents, the children of the executed officers, they
now carry what shall be known as the rebellion relic, transferred by
the dragon who carried out the king’s justice. And to show the mercy
of our great king, they will all be conscripted into the prestigious
Riders Quadrant at Basgiath, so they may prove their loyalty to our
kingdom with their service or with their death.
—Addendum 4.2, the Treaty of Aretia
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Walking the parapet on Conscription Day is a certifiable risk.
Walking the parapet in a dress uniform, barefoot, in the dark? Now this is
madness.
The first ten feet, while I’m still inside the walls, are the easiest, and as I
reach the edge, where the wind ruffles my skirt like a sail, I start to doubt my
plan. It’s going to be hard to get to Xaden if I fall to my death.
But I see him sitting about a third of the way across the narrow stone bridge,
staring up at the moon like it somehow adds to the burden he carries, and my
heart fucking hurts. He had the lives of all one hundred and seven marked ones
carved into his back, taking responsibility for them. But who takes responsibility
—takes
care—of him?
Everyone across the ravine is celebrating his father’s death, and he’s out here
mourning it alone. When Brennan died, I had Mira and Dad, but Xaden’s had no
one.
You don’t really know me. Not at my core. Isn’t that how he replied when I
told him that I’d end up falling for him? As if knowing him would somehow
make me want him less, but everything I learn about him only makes me tumble
harder and faster.
Oh gods. I know this feeling. Denying it doesn’t make it any less true. My
feelings are what they are. I haven’t run from a challenge since I crossed this
parapet a year ago, and I’m not about to start now.
The last time I stood here, I was terrified, but the distance to the ground isn’t
what has my pulse pounding now. There’s more than one way to fall.
Shit. That
ache in my chest burns brighter than the power coursing through my veins.
I’m in love with Xaden.
It doesn’t matter that he’s leaving soon or that he probably doesn’t feel the
same for me. It doesn’t even matter that he warned me not to fall for him. It’s
not an infatuation, our physical chemistry, or even the bond between our
dragons that keeps me reaching in every way possible for this man. It’s my
reckless heart.
I’ve kept out of his bed—out of his arms—because he’s adamant I can’t fall
for him, but that ship has long sailed, so what’s the point in holding back?
Shouldn’t I grab hold of every moment we can have while he’s still here?
I take the first step onto the narrow stone bridge and put my arms out for
balance. It’s just like walking along Tairn’s spine, which I’ve done hundreds of
times.
Except I’m in a dress.
And Tairn isn’t going to catch me if I fall.
He’s going to be so pissed when he hears that I did this—
“Already am.”
Xaden’s head snaps in my direction. “Violence?”
I take a step and then another, holding my frame upright with muscle
memory I didn’t have last year, and begin to cross.
Xaden swings his legs up and then fucking jumps to his feet. “Turn around
right now!” he shouts.
“Come with me,” I call over the wind, bracing myself as a gust whips my
skirt against my legs. “Should have gone with the pants,” I mutter and keep
walking.
He’s already coming my way, his strides just as long and confident as if he
was on solid ground, eating up the distance between us as I move forward
slowly until we meet.
“What the fuck are you doing out here?” he asks, locking his hands on my
waist. He’s in riding leathers, not a dress uniform, and he’s never looked better.
What am I doing out here? I’m risking everything to reach him. And if he
rejects me… No. There’s no room for fear on the parapet.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
His eyes widen. “You could have fallen and died!”
“I could say the same thing.” I smile, but it’s shaky. The look in his eyes is
wild, like he’s been driven past the point where he can contain himself in the
neat, apathetic facade he usually wears in public.
It doesn’t scare me. I like him better when he’s real with me anyway.
“And did you stop to think that if you fall and die, then I can die?” He leans
in and my pulse jumps.
“Again,” I say softly, resting my hands on his firm chest, right above his
heartbeat. “I could say the same thing.” Even if Xaden’s death wouldn’t kill
Sgaeyl, I’m not sure
I could survive it.
Shadows rise, darker than the night that surrounds us. “You’re forgetting
that I wield shadows, Violence. I’m just as safe out here as I am in the courtyard.
Are you going to wield lightning to break your fall?”
Fine. That’s a good point.
“I…perhaps did not think that part through as thoroughly as you,” I admit. I
wanted to be close to him, so I got close, parapet be damned.
“You’re seriously going to be the death of me.” His fingers flex at my waist.
“Go back.”
It’s not a rejection, not with the way he’s looking at me. We’ve been sparring
emotionally for the past month, hell, even longer than that, and one of us has to
expose our jugular. I finally trust him enough to know he won’t go for the kill.
“Only if you do. I want to be wherever you are.” And I mean it. Everyone
else—everything else in the world can fall away and I won’t care as long as I’m
with him.
“Violence…”
“I know why you said you don’t see a future for us.” My heart races like it’s
trying to take flight as I blurt out the words.
“Do you?” Of course he isn’t going to make this easy. I’m not sure the man
even knows what
easy is.
“You want me,” I say, looking him in the eyes. “And no, I’m not just talking
about in bed. You. Want. Me, Xaden Riorson. You might not say it, but you do
one better and
show it. You show it every time you choose to trust me, every
time your eyes linger on mine. You show it with every sparring lesson you don’t
have time for and every flight lesson that pulls you away from your own studies.
You show it when you refuse to touch me because you’re worried I don’t really
want you, then show it again when you take the time to hunt down violets
before a leadership meeting so I don’t wake up feeling alone. You show it in a
million different ways. Please don’t deny it.”
His jaw flexes, but he doesn’t deny it.
“You think we don’t have a future because you’re scared that I won’t like
who you really are behind all those walls you keep. And I’m scared, too. I can
admit it. You’re graduating. I’m not. You’ll be gone in a matter of weeks, and
we’re probably setting ourselves up for heartbreak. But if we let fear kill
/ 14
End of Document
102

You May Also Like

FAQs

What key events occur in Chapter 32 of Fourth Wing?
In Chapter 32, the protagonist confronts her feelings for Xaden during the tense atmosphere of Conscription Day. As she walks the parapet, risking her safety, she reflects on their relationship and the emotional burdens they both carry. The chapter culminates in a pivotal moment where they must decide how to navigate their connection amidst the chaos surrounding them.
How does the setting influence the characters in this chapter?
The setting of Conscription Day serves as a catalyst for character development in Chapter 32. The perilous walk along the parapet symbolizes the risks the protagonist is willing to take for love. The backdrop of a kingdom facing turmoil amplifies the stakes for both her and Xaden, forcing them to confront their fears and desires in a high-pressure environment.
What themes are prevalent in Chapter 32 of Fourth Wing?
Key themes in Chapter 32 include love, loyalty, and the struggle for personal identity amidst external pressures. The protagonist grapples with her feelings for Xaden while facing the harsh realities of their world. The chapter emphasizes the importance of trust and vulnerability in relationships, especially in times of crisis.
What is the significance of the relationship between the protagonist and Xaden?
The relationship between the protagonist and Xaden is central to Chapter 32, representing both emotional depth and conflict. Their bond is tested by external circumstances and personal insecurities, highlighting the complexities of love in a tumultuous setting. This dynamic drives the narrative forward and engages readers with its intensity.
How does Chapter 32 connect to the overall plot of Fourth Wing?
Chapter 32 is a crucial turning point in Fourth Wing, linking personal stakes to the larger narrative of the kingdom's struggles. The events of this chapter set the stage for future conflicts and character developments, making it essential for understanding the protagonist's journey and the overarching themes of the series.

Related