Onyx Storm Tairn Quotes

Because Andarna will happily roast some scribes if they’re acting like assholes.” “Gladly,” she chimes in gleefully. “No,” Tairn rebukes. “Don’t encourage her.

I exist for Tairn, but I live for Xaden.

You have been the gift of my life," I tell Tairn.

You get one chance to form your own squad, and you choose your ex, your current lover, the quadrant’s resident smart-ass, two people who have tried to kill you in the past year—one over said current lover—and whatever Dain is? These are your choices for the most important mission any rider could possibly undertake?” “I’m glad someone said it,” Tairn chimes in.

Are congratulations or commiserations in order?” Tairn lifts his head. “Shut up.” I

I think I started falling for you that night in the tree when I watched you with the marked ones, but I began tumbling the day you gave me Tairn’s saddle. You’ll give some self-serving excuse, but the truth is you’re kinder than you want people to know. Maybe kinder than you know. —Recovered Correspondence of Cadet Violet Sorrengail to His Grace, Lieutenant Xaden Riorson, Sixteenth Duke of Tyrrendor

Every possible path may require breaking a few laws.” “Dragons do not answer to the laws of humans,” she counters in a tone that reminds me of Tairn. “And as my bonded, as Tairn’s rider, you no longer answer to them, either.

The Dark One didn’t cut it in the first place,” Tairn responds. “Stop calling him that.

I don’t like your selection in mates, yet here we are,” Tairn responds

Your tantrum is ill-timed, Golden One,” Tairn growls. “Do not call me a child.” Andarna’s scales shimmer but remain black. “Do not act like one!” he snarls.

Your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,’” Andarna blatantly mocks him. “And yet yours miraculously carry the burden of your ego.” “Go find a sheep and let the adults work.” Tairn’s muscles shift

She lost a dragon,” Mira shouts. “Not a boyfriend. It’s not a breakup.” Her gaze swings to Xaden. “No offense.” The emptiness threatens to overwhelm me again, but Tairn inundates the bond with a deluge of defiance and indignation. “Focus on now, on him if you have to.” I still have both of them: Tairn and Xaden. “None taken.” Xaden folds his arms but doesn’t look away. “We’re past the breakup stage.

Are congratulations or commiserations in order?” Tairn lifts his head.

Do not overreact,” I warn Tairn, hoping it’s not my final request. “We still need this deal.” “I resent the implication that I am given to melodramatics,

I will not stand for you being devoured by a house cat,” Tairn growls.

I’m Xaden Riorson, the Duke of Tyrrendor.” Xaden inclines his head. “He’s probably expecting me.” Blue Sash blinks, then looks in my direction. “And you are?” Well, shit. My mouth opens— “My consort,” Xaden replies casually. “Violet Sorrengail.” What the actual fuck? My jaw snaps shut so hard my teeth click. I want our bond back and I want it back right now. He can’t just announce things like that without at least a discussion. “Are congratulations or commiserations in order?” Tairn lifts his head.

I would like to try an Unnbrish horse,” Andarna muses. “No,” Tairn and I answer simultaneously. Andarna sighs down the bond. “One day I’m going to stop asking nicely.

Tairn!” I try again, mentally grasping for him, but there’s…nothing. “Violet,” Andarna cries. “I can’t feel him!

The bond goes dark. NO. “Tairn!” I scream, terror locking every muscle, stealing every thought but one: he can’t be gone.

Do not worry for him,” Tairn orders. “He wins no matter how this battle goes.

Tairn.” “Not quite.” Rain bombards navy-blue scales. “Sgaeyl?” “You are an inconvenience for which there is no adequate measurement,” she snarls,

You have been the gift of my life,” I tell Tairn. “It is not over!” he shouts.

Any chance you want to swoop down and set this shop on fire?” I ask Tairn. “As the Dark One said, it doesn’t bode well for international relations,” he answers.

Clearly it was common sense that attracted you to the heir.” Sarcasm drips from Tairn’s tone.

Stay out of sight,” I tell Tairn. “I am as the night.

Dragons do not answer to the laws of humans,” she counters in a tone that reminds me of Tairn. “And as my bonded, as Tairn’s rider, you no longer answer to them, either.” “Rebellious adolescent,” I mutter,

You get one chance to form your own squad, and you choose your ex, your current lover, the quadrant’s resident smart-ass, two people who have tried to kill you in the past year—one over said current lover—and whatever Dain is? These are your choices for the most important mission any rider could possibly undertake?” “I’m glad someone said it,” Tairn chimes in. “And…you.” It’s not my finest comeback. “Don’t forget Halden’s guard,” Ridoc adds. “I’m sure they’ll be super useful.

Then practice evenly dispersing enough magic to keep all your extremities warm during flight, because your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,” Tairn growls into the falling snow. “‘Your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,’” Andarna blatantly mocks him. “And yet yours miraculously carry the burden of your ego.” “Go find a sheep and let the adults work.

Is that how you feel when you dip your shoulder for me?” I ask Tairn. “Dishonored?” “I am the second-largest dragon on the Continent and a revered warrior. My tales are legendary. My mate unparalleled. My feats unmatched—” “Doesn’t change my question.” I cut him off before he starts to list his accolades. “It would take a great deal more than a change of posture to dishonor me,” he replies.

You get one chance to form your own squad, and you choose your ex, your current lover, the quadrant’s resident smart-ass, two people who have tried to kill you in the past year—one over said current lover—and whatever Dain is? These are your choices for the most important mission any rider could possibly undertake?” “I’m glad someone said it,” Tairn chimes in. “And…you.” It’s not my finest comeback.

The Dark One didn’t cut it in the first place,” Tairn responds. “Stop calling him that.” My knee collapses, and I throw my arms out to steady my balance, cursing my joints as I reach Tairn’s shoulder. After an hour in the saddle at these temperatures, a pissed-off knee is nothing; I’m lucky my hips still rotate. “Stop denying the truth.” Tairn enunciates every word of the damning order as I avoid a patch of ice and prepare to dismount. “His soul is no longer his own.” “That’s a little dramatic.” I’m not getting into this argument again. “His eyes are back to normal—” “That kind of power is addictive. You know it, or you wouldn’t be pretending to sleep at night.” He twists his neck in a way that reminds me of a snake and levels a golden glare on me. “I’m sleeping.” It’s not entirely a lie, but definitely time to change the subject. “Did you make me repair my saddle to teach me a lesson?” My ass protests every scale on Tairn’s leg as I slide, then land in a fresh foot of snow. “Or because you don’t trust Xaden with my gear anymore?” “Yes.” Tairn lifts his head far over mine and blasts a torrent of fire along his wing, melting off the residual ice, and I turn away from the surge of heat that painfully contrasts my body temperature. “Tairn…” I struggle for words and look up at him. “I need to know where you stand before this meeting. With or without Empyrean approval, I can’t do any of this without you.” “Meaning, will I support the myriad of ways you plan to court death in the name of curing one who is beyond redemption?” He swivels his head in my direction again. Tension crackles along Andarna’s bond. “He’s not—” I cut off that particular argument, since the rest is sound. “Basically, yes.” He grumbles deep within his chest. “I fly without warming my wings in preparation for carrying heavier weight for longer distances. Does that not answer your question?” Meaning Andarna. Relief gusts through my lips on a swift exhale. “Thank you.” Steam rolls in billowing clouds from his nostrils. “But do not mistake my unflinching support of you, my mate, and Andarna for any form of faith in him.” Tairn lifts his head, cueing the end of the conversation.

What happens to me if you turn?” My hands curl at my sides. “What happens to Tairn and Sgaeyl if you give in?” Xaden’s jaw flexes. “Do venin get once-a-week visits?” I take a step closer and lift my chin. “Does their bond survive you turning? Does ours? You and I are tethered for life, Xaden Riorson. Am I expected to turn with you? Is that the only way to keep our dragons alive if you give up?

You have been the gift of my life,” I tell Tairn.

Tairn. He exists, therefore I must, because we are bound. Never alone. Always connected.

She dies for this,” Tairn demands, his impact rustling the green meadow grass as we land twenty feet in front of Theophanie, who welcomes us with a smile.

It’s been ages since I’ve honored the color of my scale in such a manner,” Tairn declares with a pitch of pride.

When I look up, everyone is staring at me. “What? I kept the gryphons close and paired dragons with similar flight strengths”—my gaze finds Xaden’s, and he’s not amused with my group pairings—“except for ours. Tairn and Sgaeyl have the best chance of staying in contact when separated if the rest of these islands have the same level of magic. It’s better for the group if they split for the day.” He arches his scarred brow. “Just you and me today, honey bear.” Garrick swings his arm over Xaden’s shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he leans in and whispers. “I’ll take good care of you.” He flashes a dimple.

Do not go any deeper than your claws!” Tairn lectures, his tail nearly taking out a tree when he pivots to watch her go. “I swear, if you get in over your head, I’ll let you drown.

Can I take mine off?” Andarna asks, swiveling her head to gnaw on the metal strap across her shoulder. “No!” Tairn and I shout simultaneously. “No,” Andarna mocks. “Fine. I seek sustenance.

In that moment, I didn’t know who I was, where I belonged, or why I should bother breathing. If Tairn hadn’t grounded me, I think I would have willingly floated away. I still can’t comprehend the enormity of her absence.

Tell her the truth. He loathes her,” Tairn suggests. “As does Sgaeyl. The life-giver is lucky she wasn’t scorched this morning, though I do believe Sgaeyl is still contemplating her options.

You bonded as a juvenile?” the male to the right shouts. Tairn cranes his neck forward and growls. “You will not raise your voice to her.” Andarna turns her head and narrows her eyes at Tairn. “Do not ruin this for me.” Hurt stabs through the bond and Tairn recoils, his head drawing back to cover Ridoc and me.

Watch where you dismount or you’ll embarrass us both,” Tairn warns,

I choose him.” Whether she’s talking about Xaden or Tairn, my answer is the same.

She dies for this,” Tairn demands,

I have you,” Xaden promises, and the bands tighten. Power floods my body as I throw open the Archives door, and heat stings my skin. Gods, if I channel too much while attached to him… “He’s been a great deal closer when you’ve wielded,” Tairn reminds me, and— Nope, not thinking about how he knows that.

And then Xaden lifts his brow at me. “No exceptions, Sorrengail.” “Now this is what I’ve been waiting to see.” Caroline bounces on her toes like a child. “Do me a favor,” I say to Xaden, unfastening the conduit’s leather strap at my hip and hooking it over my wrist so the orb fits comfortably in my palm. Then I take three steps forward onto the mat and open the door to Tairn’s power with a hell of a smirk. “Don’t let me hurt you.

I draw my blade the same second Tairn drops his jaw and roars, the sound shattering every glass orb within a dozen feet of us and leaving my ears ringing. “Was that really necessary?” My right ear won’t work for a month. “No, but I found it amusing.

My consort,” Xaden replies casually. “Violet Sorrengail.” What the actual fuck? My jaw snaps shut so hard my teeth click. I want our bond back and I want it back right now. He can’t just announce things like that without at least a discussion. “Are congratulations or commiserations in order?” Tairn lifts his head. “Shut up.” I sheathe my dagger to keep from chucking it at the man I love.

Halden sits back in his chair and looks at me like he’s never seen me before. “He hasn’t,” Tairn reminds me. “He no longer knows you.

I don’t like you being this close to those bolts,” I say along the bond, noting the platoon of cavalry as they ride single file through raised metal gates inside each ring. One order, and the city would be impossible to breach on foot…or escape. “I don’t like your selection in mates, yet here we are,” Tairn responds

It’s been ages since I’ve honored the color of my scale in such a manner,” Tairn declares with a pitch of pride. “You blended in with the night.” Andarna scoffs. “Hardly an accomplishment.

think I know why riders die when their dragons do.” His fingers pause before he continues. “Why?” “It’s not just the deficit of power,” I muse, cupping the bathwater with my hand, then letting it flow out between my fingers. “In that moment, I didn’t know who I was, where I belonged, or why I should bother breathing. If Tairn hadn’t grounded me, I think I would have willingly floated away.

My heart lurches. The one in the center looks bigger than Codagh. “Because it is,” Tairn relishes. “It would be my finest kill to date.

The panthers leap onto the dais with an ease that speaks to nightly routine. “I will not stand for you being devoured by a house cat,” Tairn growls.

Are you all right?” I ask Tairn, my voice cracking. “I am not deceased.

It’s been ages since I’ve honored the color of my scale in such a manner,” Tairn declares with a pitch of pride. “You blended in with the night.” Andarna scoffs. “Hardly an accomplishment.

You should see if she’ll hunt with the others,” I suggest to Tairn. “Feel free to ask. I’ll watch. Be sure you’re near the water so you can put yourself out when she sets you on fire,” he replies.

So is thinking you can hobble back from the flight field.” Screams sound from the dozen or so cadets who run for the safety of the dormitory wing as Tairn lands in the mud. At least it’s stopped snowing.

this ice,” Tairn growls into the falling snow. “‘Your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,’” Andarna blatantly mocks him. “And yet yours miraculously carry the burden of your ego.” “Go find a sheep and let the adults work.

But do not mistake my unflinching support of you, my mate, and Andarna for any form of faith in him.” Tairn lifts his head, cueing the end of the conversation.

No!” Tairn and I shout simultaneously. “No,” Andarna mocks. “Fine. I seek sustenance.

Tairn…” I struggle for words and look up at him. “I need to know where you stand before this meeting. With or without Empyrean approval, I can’t do any of this without you.” “Meaning, will I support the myriad of ways you plan to court death in the name of curing one who is beyond redemption?” He swivels his head in my direction again. Tension crackles along Andarna’s bond.

I’m not wearing this when we find my family,” she grumbles. “Then fly farther,” Tairn growls. “Some of us are trying to sleep.

or listening to Andarna go into exhaustive detail on why Tairn is the worst—period—mentor—period—ever—period,

would like to try an Unnbrish horse,” Andarna muses. “No,” Tairn and I answer simultaneously. Andarna sighs down the bond. “One day I’m going to stop asking nicely.

He’s been a great deal closer when you’ve wielded,” Tairn reminds me, and— Nope, not thinking about how he knows that.

I think I started falling for you that night in the tree when I watched you with the marked ones, but I began tumbling the day you gave me Tairn’s saddle. You’ll give some self-serving excuse, but the truth is you’re kinder than you want people to know. Maybe kinder than you know.

I already know what Tairn thinks, and the possibility of fighting both of you is exhausting, so please, for the love of Amari, be on my side.” The bond directly between us shimmers. “All right.” “Really?” I pause on the stair, splaying my hand on the wall to catch my balance. “I am as unknown as he is, and you still trust me,” she says. “I will not be another battle you have to fight.” Oh, thank gods. Her words seep into the marrow of my bones, and I hang my head in relief. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed to hear that until she said it.

Then practice evenly dispersing enough magic to keep all your extremities warm during flight, because your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,” Tairn growls into the falling snow. “‘Your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,’” Andarna blatantly mocks him. “And yet yours miraculously carry the burden of your ego.

Andarna blasts a short stream of fire at Tairn’s back leg as she rises to all fours. “I’m not dignifying that with a response,” he snarls.

Let’s kill their makers.” “Let’s,” Tairn agrees,

They’re within the walls!” Tairn bellows. “Already figured that out.” I swap my daggers for two alloy-hilted ones at my thighs and move quickly to hand one to Sawyer. “None of us die today.

Tairn bellows, and his pain replaces mine.

You will wait until our welcome is assured,” Tairn orders, and Andarna huffs a breath of steam in his direction, then sits on her back legs and glowers. “Pick your tail up off the ground right now. Where do you think we are? The Vale?” I adjust the straps of my pack over my summer-weight flight jacket and bite back a laugh when Andarna blasts a short stream of fire at Tairn’s back leg as she rises to all fours. “I’m not dignifying that with a response,” he snarls.

flares them wide and she lands a second before we do, dead center in the field. The crowd comes to its feet in a raucous cheer as Tairn tucks his wings in and prowls forward to Andarna’s side. A few people dart from the stands and make a run for the bridge, too smiley to be fleeing for their lives. “They’re spreading the news.” Tairn turns his head slowly, and I mirror his movement,

Do not blame yourself for wounds you do not inflict,” Tairn lectures.

because your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,” Tairn growls into the falling snow. “‘Your wings won’t hold the weight of this ice,’” Andarna blatantly mocks him. “And yet yours miraculously carry the burden of your ego.” “Go find a sheep and let the adults work.

The best leaders are the ones who never want the job. This is your mission because Andarna chose you. Tairn chose you.

Let me know if he has any venin locked away in a box as a surprise test,” Tairn says, flying in the same direction Sgaeyl took.

Dragons do not answer to the laws of humans,” she counters in a tone that reminds me of Tairn. “And as my bonded, as Tairn’s rider, you no longer answer to them, either.

And as my bonded, as Tairn’s rider, you no longer answer to them, either.

If you remove that belt, I will unseat you over the river and let your meager gods sort you out,” Tairn warns,

But do not mistake my unflinching support of you, my mate, and Andarna for any form of faith in him.” Tairn lifts his

Denied,” the captain answers. “She does not meet with those unworthy of her presence, and given how easy it was to walk up to your encampment, the chances of your worth”—his gaze skims over the line of us, and he scoffs after a quick appraisal of my stature—“are minimal.” Fuck him. Branches sway as the dragons and gryphons walk out of the trees around us, loosely surrounding the platoon. “We made it easy, Captain.” I cock my head to the side and flip my dagger to pinch its tip as Tairn growls at my back, low and mean. Just the way I like him. “Rest assured, we can make it difficult, too.

I’m going to be sick. “Why are you ill?” Andarna asks. “Halden?” Tairn muses slowly, and I swear I can feel his nonexistent eyebrows rise. “So, we kill him if he makes her uncomfortable,” Andarna suggests. “Problem solved.” “You cannot kill the heir to the throne.” Even though I’ve been tempted myself a time or two.

This just got interesting,” Tairn notes.

Andarna is gone. Tairn leaves our bond wide open, giving me unfettered access to him in a way I’ve never had. He’s always been with me, but now I’m with him, too. I hear his side of the conversation when he tells the elders about Andarna’s departure. I hear him bickering with Sgaeyl over what he calls her excessive hovering, and I’m privy to the lecture he gives Xaden about making sure I eat.

How about you go get me a set of crutches, and I’ll—” “How about you get down here,” Xaden says, standing where I’d expected to find Brennan. My heartbeat jolts. Gods, he looks good, staring up at me with the kind of intensity that used to rattle my nerves when I was a first-year. He lifts one arm, and shadows rush up from beneath Tairn and solidify as they wrap around my waist. “Now would be preferable.” He crooks his fingers at me. “I would do the same for any wounded rider.

I still have both of them: Tairn and Xaden.

Nearly twenty-four hours later, my access to magic fades to all but a trickle at the edge of the coast as we fly over by the colors of dawn, trading power for sunlight. The loss is stunning, immeasurable in a way that, for an instant, makes me pity Jack Barlowe. For the first time since the night Tairn and Andarna channeled to me, I feel…small, naked even, stripped of the power that’s come to not only embolden me over the last year but define me.

Tairn punches his tail forward, underneath us, swinging his body in a way I’ve never experienced, and I fall backward, my stomach lodging in my throat as the ground takes the place of the sky and the strap pulls tight across my thighs, holding me upside down long enough for my heart to pound in my ears twice. Snap. Bone fractures, and Tairn rolls right, dragging the broken-necked corpse of a wyvern with us, then releasing it once we level. I force my stomach back where it belongs and prepare to strike the other as it lunges for us. It snaps its jaws, teeth clashing mere feet from Tairn’s shoulder as it misses, cutting at least two years off my life. I extend my arm— “Do not!” Tairn orders, and a second later, brown scales consume my field of vision as Aotrom clasps the wyvern’s head between his teeth and bites as we pass.

Do me a favor,” I say to Xaden, unfastening the conduit’s leather strap at my hip and hooking it over my wrist so the orb fits comfortably in my palm. Then I take three steps forward onto the mat and open the door to Tairn’s power with a hell of a smirk. “Don’t let me hurt you.

Can I take mine off?” Andarna asks, swiveling her head to gnaw on the metal strap across her shoulder. “No!” Tairn and I shout simultaneously. “No,” Andarna mocks. “Fine. I seek sustenance.” “You will wait until our welcome is assured,” Tairn orders, and Andarna huffs a breath of steam in his direction, then sits on her back legs and glowers. “Pick your tail up off the ground right now. Where do you think we are? The Vale?

Andarna snorts, then prances off toward the water, her wings tucked in tight. “Do not go any deeper than your claws!” Tairn lectures, his tail nearly taking out a tree when he pivots to watch her go. “I swear, if you get in over your head, I’ll let you drown.

Do you need me to bury bodies?” I ask, my hands moving quickly to sign. “Because Andarna will happily roast some scribes if they’re acting like assholes.” “Gladly,” she chimes in gleefully. “No,” Tairn rebukes. “Don’t encourage her.