Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Overview
Back at Basgiath, Violet learns Mira survived Montserrat and deepens her telepathic connection with Xaden. During the first War Games, Violet accepts a custom saddle, defends Fourth Wing’s flag, and saves Liam using Andarna’s time-freeze. Pushed to the brink, Violet finally manifests her signet—lightning—destroying Jack Barlowe’s tower and killing him as Xaden closes on the egg.
Summary
At dawn outside Professor Markham’s office, Violet anxiously waits for news from Montserrat. Xaden brings coffee, admits he hasn’t planned to ruin her, and reveals he can’t stop thinking about her. Markham finally reports no riders were lost, and Violet collapses in relief, later seeking comfort from Andarna.
Over the following days, Violet probes Xaden with personal questions via their growing telepathic link, learning his age, tastes, and that he and Liam were fostered together. Tension spikes when she asks about the scars on his back, and Tairn warns that caring is difficult for Xaden.
War Games begin. Fourth Wing must steal First Wing’s egg while also defending a flag carried by Violet’s squad and passed frequently. Xaden and Tairn unveil a custom saddle designed to secure Violet; despite fears of appearing weak, she accepts it. Andarna, eager to join, mud-camouflages her bright scales.
While skirting the battlefield on flag defense, Violet spots a hidden tower where First Wing guards the egg. First Wing ambushes them with ice and fire; Tairn shields Violet. Above the tower, Jack Barlowe leaps from Baide to Deigh, stabbing Liam and kicking him off. Violet channels Andarna’s time-freeze, allowing Tairn to snatch Liam from midair and pass him to Rhiannon on Feirge.
Enraged, Violet directs Tairn toward the tower as Xaden races in from miles away. Power surges uncontrollably; at the breaking point, Violet manifests her signet—she calls lightning that shatters the tower. Jack falls with the collapsing stone, killed, while Baide keens and Tairn roars in pride. Violet, now a lightning wielder, turns the tide as Fourth Wing continues the assault on the egg.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailAnxiously awaits news of Mira, accepts a custom saddle, saves Liam via time-freeze, and manifests lightning to kill Jack.
- Xaden RiorsonWingleader who brings Violet coffee, admits feelings, strengthens telepathy, commissions her saddle, and races to seize the egg.
- TairnAncient black dragon; co-designs the saddle, shields Violet from attacks, catches Liam, and exults in Violet’s lightning.
- AndarnaYoung feathertail; comforts Violet, insists on joining, mud-camouflages, and lends time-freeze to save Liam.
- LiamSquadmate; battles Jack, is stabbed and falls, then is saved by Violet and transferred to Rhiannon.
- RhiannonFriend and rider of Feirge; confident in victory and receives Liam midair after the rescue.
- Dain AetosSquad leader; briefs the dual mission, carries and coordinates defense of Fourth Wing’s flag.
- Jack BarloweFirst Wing rival; stabs Liam and is killed when Violet’s lightning obliterates the tower.
- Professor MarkhamInforms Violet that Montserrat suffered damage but no rider losses; Mira is alive.
- BaideJack’s orange Scorpiontail; fights Deigh, then keens as Jack dies in the tower’s collapse.
- DeighLiam’s dragon; locked in aerial combat with Baide near the tower.
- SgaeylXaden’s dragon; reports Violet’s sleeplessness and flies with him toward the objective.
- CathDain’s dragon; present for Fourth Wing’s deployment and reinforcement.
- FeirgeRhiannon’s dragon; rises beneath Tairn to receive the rescued Liam.