Wings of Desire
- Reads 80,608
- Votes 2,541
- Parts 31
MatureOngoing13h 1m
Last published Sun, Mar 29, 2026
A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. - Article One, Section One, The Dragon Rider's Codex
"Anyone else feel like changing their mind?" Xaden shouts, scanning the remaining rows of cadets with the same shrewd gaze of the navy-blue dragon behind him. "No? Excellent. Roughly half of you will be dead by this time next summer."
The formation is silent except for a few untimely sobs from my left.
"A third of you again the year after that, and the same your last year. No one cares who your mommy or daddy is here. Even King Tauri's second son died during his Threshing. So tell me again: Do you feel invincible now that you've made it into the Rider's Quadrant? Untouchable? Elite?"
No one cheers.
Another blast of heat rushes - this time directly at my face - and every muscle in my body clenches, preparing for incineration. But it's not flames... just steam, and it blows back Rhiannon's braid as the dragons finish their simultaneous exhale. The breeches on the first-year ahead of me darken, the color spreading down his legs.
They want us scared. Mission accomplished.
"Because you're not untouchable or special to them." Xaden points toward the navy dragon and leans forward slightly, like he's letting us in on a secret as we lock eyes. "To them, you're just the prey."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Who is that?"
"Rhae Sorrengail, the forgotten daughter. She's Violet's twin, they're nothing alike though. Violet is the calm before a storm, and Rhae is the hurricane. The anger and stubbornness of that woman are insane."
"God forbid she and Xaden stay in the same room for too long. Someone would likely end up dead."
Started: June 5, 2025.
Finished:
All Rights Reserved
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
Black Sapphire | Zilphyer
Every year, swaths of 20-year-olds descend upon a college campus. Unfortunately, this college specializes in war, in consideration of the one raging at its borders. Outposts and enemies line the eastern mountains, guarded by many from the army, but most notably, the Dragon Riders. Zilphyer's future was determined long before she was born. As far as she was concerned, none of that destiny included Basgiath; not after she watched her grandfather descend into mad ramblings from his battles after bonding a dragon, then fell to the whims of a power-hungry Colonel who would do anything to hurt her. The quadrant destroyed the good and empowered the bad, and she wanted nothing to do with it, no matter what her name spelled. Xaden Riorson's future was clear, no Basgiath or dragons in sight. That was, until he was 16, when his father's apostasy-turned-secession fell apart; his home was burned; and his father went missing, only to be reported by someone he thought was an ally, then murdered. Unfortunately for both of them, Basgiath wouldn't let them off so easily. Xaden had a two year head start and became a Wingleader, ready-and willing-to sacrifice anything to fulfill his goals. Some may call them selfish and many call him ruthless, but he's no stranger to prescribed titles. Zilphyer stood before the bridge, but she had no intention of making it across. Her ruined future and unstable life would be given to a cause much more worthy than the torture of Basgiath: her mother, her father, and her patron: Zihnal, the God of Chaos. [Book 1 of 2] *xReader available*Complete
THE UNBROKEN HAVEN ¹ - XADEN RIORSON
She was a goddess of sanctuary. He was carved from shadows and war. Cast out from the heavens for showing mercy , Eirene Solara - Ren to those few she tolerates - is condemned to the one place she hates and sees no point of. The one place that is a death sentance for her - Basgiath War College. Her task is one - if she lets herself be changed in the College, they make her mortal and strip her off her title. But if she doesn't change during the three years, then she can come back to her home. But there's only one problem. Xaden notices her as soon as she steps foot into the Quadrant. Not because she glows. But because she doesn't fight at all. While others claw their way to survival, Ren kneels to heal the wounded. While dragons roar for violence, she falls silent. But in a place where death is the only answer, her defiance could get them both killed - or worse, tempt the gods to finish what they started. --- Posting schedule - two times a week STARTED - 18.7.2025. FINISHED - ACT ONE (FOURTH WING) - ONGOING
Burning Gale | Fourth Wing Fanfiction
Askar Riorson has always dreamed of being a dragon rider. Growing up in Aretia was like a dream, with his father, mother, and most of all his brother, Xaden. But now, it's only him and his brother. Years before, during the Tyrrish Rebellion, Askar and Xaden's father was executed for capital offense and treason against Navarre. And his mother had left; she was only supposed to stay until Askar reached the age of 10. It was simply a contract, no love whatsoever. When Askar dawns the age of 20, he is sent to Basgiath War College to survive and learn the ways of a dragon rider. To fly. To fight. To protect. But trouble brews, and when reality breaks itself. Askar and Xaden along with a crew of Riders, could be the only thing to stop it. {This writing is a work of fanfiction. All credit to names, places, etc. are fully Rebecca Yarros' work from the Empryean Series.}
Black Sapphire | Xaden Riorson | S/H
Every year, swaths of 20-year-olds descend upon a college campus. Unfortunately, this college specializes in war, in consideration of the one raging at its borders. Outposts and enemies line the eastern mountains, guarded by many from the army, but most notably, the Dragon Riders. (Y/N)'s future was determined long before she was born. As far as she was concerned, none of that destiny included Basgiath; not after she watched her grandfather descend into mad ramblings from his battles after bonding a dragon, then fell to the whims of a power-hungry Colonel who would do anything to hurt her. The quadrant destroyed the good and empowered the bad, and she wanted nothing to do with it, no matter what her name spelled. Xaden Riorson's future was clear, no Basgiath or dragons in sight. That was, until he was 16, when his father's apostasy-turned-secession fell apart; his home was burned; and his father went missing, only to be reported by someone he thought was an ally, then murdered. Unfortunately for both of them, Basgiath wouldn't let them off so easily. Xaden had a two year head start and became a Wingleader, ready-and willing-to sacrifice anything to fulfill his goals. Some may call them selfish and many call him ruthless, but he's no stranger to prescribed titles. (Y/N) stood before the bridge, but she had no intention of making it across. Her ruined future and unstable life would be given to a cause much more worthy than the torture of Basgiath: her mother, her father, and her patron: Zihnal, the God of Chaos. *SHE/HER* [Book 1 of 2]Complete
Wheat in Wartime | Fourth Wing
Just about everything is trying to kill Joan Graycastle: the King, the cadets, even some of the Riders Quadrant professors seem out to get her. Her only goal is to stay alive. The longer she's alive, the closer she is to seeing her brother again and the closer she gets to fighting the actual war being waged outside Navarre's borders. The only dragon almost guaranteed to kill her decides to claim her, though, and throws a wrench in all of her plans. "Are you a meal, Josefyne Tauri? Or are you a rider?" - fourth wing x oc
Beneath the Ash
Rheanyra Silvarra has always known what it means to survive. Born to a disgraced noble house and branded a rebellion relic before she could walk, she's spent her life training in the shadows, carrying the ghosts of Aretia and the weight of a past no one dares speak of. At Basgiath War College, she's not just another first-year crossing the Parapet-she's a threat. And everyone knows it. Especially Xaden Riorson. They've known each other too long, fought side by side in silence, and now face each other across squad lines with carefully constructed masks. Their hatred is a language only they speak-a shield against the danger of letting anyone too close. Because walls are safer than attachments. Safer than hope. Thrown into Fourth Wing under Xaden's command, Nyra finds herself surrounded by enemies, allies she doesn't trust, and a squad that's as fractured as her heart. With every glance, Xaden dares her to fall back. With every order, he reminds her who holds power. But she didn't survive the slaughter of Aretia to be silenced. As dragons descend and the deadly crucible of Basgiath begins, Nyra must face not only the dangers of Threshing and the brutal hierarchy of the Riders Quadrant, but the truth she's buried for years. Because war is coming. Secrets are stirring. And for rebellion kids like Nyra and Xaden? Survival was only the beginning. XadenXoc
Death, Dragons & Dumb Decisions
Surviving the Riders Quadrant is hard enough, but surviving it while keeping a massive secret? That's just plain reckless. Nyx Greycastle-well, that's the name she's using-has spent her life surrounded by dragons, but pretending to be just another first-year cadet at Basgiath War College is proving more difficult than she expected. Between sadistic instructors, bloodthirsty rivals, and an annoyingly handsome wingleader who keeps looking at her like he knows something, staying under the radar is impossible. Oh, and there's also the minor issue of not dying before Threshing. With secrets, enemies, and an ever-growing number of dumb decisions piling up, Nyx is in for the deadliest three years of her life. But if she wants to claim a dragon-and live long enough to turn the tide of a secret war-she'll have to prove she's more than just a name. Because in the Riders Quadrant, survival isn't guaranteed. It's earned. Updated on AO3 first under the same name. I do not own the characters, only Aelin Tauri/ Nyx Greycastle, please let me know if you are enjoying
Marked | Xaden Riorson
Cassindra Nytheris is no stranger to death. Daughter of famed rebel Generals burned alive by dragon flame, she carried both their legacy and the weight of their loss. Basgaith War College is not for the feint of heart, and with rebellion relics inked across her skin, Cassindra is bound for the Riders Quadrant, where failure means death. With only her fellow rebellion children and a handful of unlikely allies to trust, Cassindra must endure brutal training, cataclysmic secrets, and the cold, calculating gaze of Xaden Riorson, who might already care more than he lets on. A dragon without its rider is a tragedy, a rider without their dragon is dead. [Xaden Riorson x OC]
Fatal Attraction | Bodhi Durran
Adelaide Ansel, a fierce and enigmatic first-year cadet, returns to Basgiath War College bearing a name long erased from history - a bloodline cursed and forgotten for over four centuries. She carries not just scars and mismatched eyes that unsettle those around her, but an arsenal of poisons, enchanted armour, and a deadly book of knowledge she authored in secret. The myth surrounding her scar is grand and fantastical, yet the truth is brutal and mundane - she was attacked without prophecy or cause, and it hardened her rather than broke her. Adelaide is calculated, rebellious, and unapologetically herself, refusing to hide her lavender hair or deny the ancient blood that flows through her. With wit and venom-laced charm, Adelaide verbally spars with Xaden and insinuates they may be related - a half-truth or an outright lie that shakes him to his core. She crosses the Parapet with deadly grace, claiming her place not just as a survivor, but as a reckoning for the history that tried to bury her. She quickly forms alliances with fellow cadets Ridoc and Sawyer, proving herself both humorous and dangerous - equally capable of loyalty and chaos. She is assigned to the Fourth Wing and settles into formation, Adelaide disrupts expectations and asserts her presence like a storm in human form - unrelenting, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Disclaimer || I used AI to create the Cover Image for this story as I can't draw to safe my life. Credits go to Rebecca Yarros as Fourth Wing belongs to her. I only own Adelaide Ansel Character and her Bonded. I'll try to keep the story inline with Violet's Timeline so that some events stay canon.Complete
Echos of Blood: Shadows and Scars
Auren Riorson has always walked a fine line-between shadow and steel, between survival and something more. Trained as a Rider, secretly drawn to healing, and bonded with a dangerous bloodwielding power, she can control blood itself-either to save or to destroy. Stepping into Basgiath War College, Auren finds herself back in the chaos: brutal training, cutthroat politics, and dragons circling overhead, their roars shaking the stone halls. With her loyal best friend Liam by her side and her older brother Xaden looming over every move, she has to keep her wits sharp. Because in this world, one wrong step could mean death-or worse. But graduating the war college isn't the only danger. Venin hunters, wyverns with razor-sharp teeth, and enemies hiding in plain sight are closing in. And as the stakes rise, Auren will have to face her family's deadly past, master the terrifying power she was bound with, and figure out if loyalty and love are worth the risk when everything could be ripped away in a heartbeat. ------------ if you haven't already read the Fourth Wing series... like, what are you even doing with your life?? 😂 go give rebecca yarros all the love because it's honestly one of the best series i've ever read. this fic is obviously inspired by her world, but for me it's turned into a story about love, friendship, found family, and especially the bond between siblings. a lot of it follows the storyline from fourth wing / iron flame / onyx storm, but i've changed up some of the characters, a few signets, and since onyx storm just came out-anything beyond that is just my own theories and imagination making it my own thing. and hey, if it's not your vibe... totally fine. don't read it, I'm sure there are sooo many other good ones out there! 🖤 and nooo i'm not telling you who Auren's romance arc is-you'll just have to keep guessing 👀Complete
Every year, swaths of 20-year-olds descend upon a college campus. Unfortunately, this college specializes in war, in consideration of the one raging at its borders. Outposts and enemies line the eastern mountains, guarded by many from the army, but most notably, the Dragon Riders. Zilphyer's future was determined long before she was born. As far as she was concerned, none of that destiny included Basgiath; not after she watched her grandfather descend into mad ramblings from his battles after bonding a dragon, then fell to the whims of a power-hungry Colonel who would do anything to hurt her. The quadrant destroyed the good and empowered the bad, and she wanted nothing to do with it, no matter what her name spelled. Xaden Riorson's future was clear, no Basgiath or dragons in sight. That was, until he was 16, when his father's apostasy-turned-secession fell apart; his home was burned; and his father went missing, only to be reported by someone he thought was an ally, then murdered. Unfortunately for both of them, Basgiath wouldn't let them off so easily. Xaden had a two year head start and became a Wingleader, ready-and willing-to sacrifice anything to fulfill his goals. Some may call them selfish and many call him ruthless, but he's no stranger to prescribed titles. Zilphyer stood before the bridge, but she had no intention of making it across. Her ruined future and unstable life would be given to a cause much more worthy than the torture of Basgiath: her mother, her father, and her patron: Zihnal, the God of Chaos. [Book 1 of 2] *xReader available*
More detailsContent Guidelines