Ruthless ??/ Fourth Wing

Chapter~15

"Nora, you need to relax."

It's Nolan's voice, calm but insistent. He's standing beside me, his face lined with exhaustion. His usual demeanor is gone—replaced by something far more vulnerable. The worry in his eyes is unmistakable.

"You've been in a coma for four days," he continues softly, his hand resting on my shoulder as if grounding me. "Your body is still too weak. You need to take it easy."

I blink, trying to clear the fog from my mind. Four days? I can barely remember anything. The marking... the fire... the dragon.

But then I turn my head, and my breath catches.

Xaden is sitting in the corner, his posture rigid as he watches me. His onyx eyes meet mine instantly, and something shifts in the air—an unspoken understanding, a relief. His usual confidence is gone, replaced by raw emotion.

He doesn't speak at first, just stands and moves toward me, his fingers trembling slightly as they brush through my hair.

"Gods, Nora," he whispers, his voice rough. "You scared the hell out of me."

I want to say something, anything, but the words stick in my throat. I look up at him, and for a moment, everything else fades away. It's just him and me, and the intensity of his gaze holds me captive.

"I—I didn't expect..." I try to say, but my voice falters.

"You don't have to explain," he interrupts softly. "Just... don't ever do that again."

His hand stays in my hair, gently running through the strands. I can feel the warmth of his touch, grounding me, reminding me that I'm still here.

I swallow hard, trying to push through the fog of confusion and weakness. I'm still alive. I've made it through. But there's something else gnawing at the edges of my mind—the marking, the dragon, the strange sensation I had when it happened.

What did it all mean? Why had the dragon chosen me? Why had it been different for me?

I glance back at Xaden, and his eyes soften, like he knows the questions burning inside me.

"When can I fight again?" I ask, my tone sharp, but underneath it is a raw edge of frustration.

Nolan sighs again, his eyes softening. "Nora, this isn't about fighting. You need to rest. Just a few days—no fighting, no training. Your body can't take more than that right now."

I open my mouth to argue, but before I can get the words out, Xaden interrupts, his voice calm but firm.

"Nolan, you're not hearing her. She's bonded to the Rebellion Dragon. You think cadets won't try to take her out so they can bond with Arrax? You think she's safe here?" Xaden's voice has a dangerous edge to it, the seriousness clear in his eyes.

I turn my head toward him, suddenly reminded of Arrax. The bond—the weight of it. The world outside this room just got a whole lot more dangerous.

"Well, then," Nolan says, his voice hardening as he stands up, "You better be the one to make sure it doesn't happen, Xaden. I can't babysit her forever." He turns on his heel and leaves the room without another word.

I roll my eyes and sigh as I sit up slowly, ignoring the ache that runs through my body. I push the blanket off my legs and swing my feet over the side of the bed, the cool floor against my feet jolting me awake.

I catch a glimpse of Xaden, who hasn't moved an inch, still sitting in the chair by the window, watching me.

"Uh, excuse me, sir," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I glance at him. "But I need to get dressed. You're not exactly invited to my dressing session."