Xaden Quotes

“Let me guess, you could smell my perfume. Isn't that what always gives the heroine away in books?'

He scoffs. 'I command shadows, but sure, it was your perfume that gave you away.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I'm more dangerous than you think,' I flat-out bluster.

'So I see. I'm quaking in my boots.' The corner of his mouth rises in a mocking smile.

Fucking. Asshole.

I flip the daggers in my hand, pinching them at the tips, then flick my wrists and fire them past his head, one on each side. They land solidly in the trunk of the tree behind him.

'You missed.' He doesn't even flinch.

'Did I?' I reach for my last two blades. 'Why don't you back up a couple of steps and test that theory?'

Curiosity flares in his eyes, but it's gone in the next second, masked by cold, mocking indifference.

Every one of my senses is on high alert, but the shadows around me don't slide in as he moves backward, his eyes locked with mine. His back hits the tree, and the hilts of my daggers brush his ears.

'Tell me again that I missed,' I threaten, taking the dagger in my right hand by the tip.

'Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you're really a violent little thing, aren't you?' An appreciative smile curves his perfect lips as shadows dance up the trunk of the oak, taking the form of fingers. They pluck the daggers from the tree and bring them to Xaden's waiting hands.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I don't want to find a single thing about Xaden Riorson admirable, and yet here he is, being all annoying admirable. Asshole.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“His allure is a warning not to get too close, and I am definitely too close.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“You're not going to make it. Best accept it now and not take up more of my time.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“I can't save everyone, especially not someone who isn't willing to save themselves.'

'Damn, Xaden,' Garrick rubs the bridge of his nose. 'Way to give a pep talk.'

'If they need a fucking pep talk, then we both know they're not flying out of the quadrant on graduation day. Let's get real. I can hold their hands and make them a bunch of bullshit empty promises about everyone making it through if that helps them sleep, but in my experience, the truth is far more valuable.' He turns his head, and I can only assume he's looking at the panicked first-year. 'In war, people die. It's not glorious like the bards sing about, either. It's snapped necks and two-hundreds-foot falls. There's nothing romantic about scorched earth or the scent of sulphur. This'- he gestures back toward the citadel- 'isn't some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It's hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home... to whatever's left of our homes. And make no mistake, we are at war every time we step foot in the quadrant.' He leans forward slightly. 'So if you won't get your shirt together and fight to live, then no. You're not going to make it.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“You learn what they teach you,' Xaden says to the first-year, his voice taking a hard edge. 'Keep what you know but recite whatever they tell you to.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing