Onyx Storm | Chapter Summary

Below is a chapter summary of Onyx Storm, the third book in Rebecca Yarros’s The Empyrean series. For the Iron Flame chapter summary, please visit my previous blog.

Prologue

Violet hurries through the tunnels beneath her quadrant, making her way towards Xaden, who is being held prisoner because of his newfound venin abilities. 

She is stopped by two guards before she can get to where Xaden is being held. She reminds them of the sacrifice her mother had made for them, and they agree to look the other way and let her pass. 

As she works her way towards Xaden, her dragon, Andarna, remarks to her that magic feels different when she changes color, and that maybe the use of her power in the previous battle had altered the venin.

When Violet  arrives where Xaden is imprisoned, she overhears him talking to Jack Barlow. Jack advises him to stay away from Violet, because his newfound venin powers could put her into danger. 

Violet is distressed by this, but Andarna reassures her that they will find a cure for Xaden’s venin abilities, and that if she somehow altered that venin in the previous battle while changing her scales, then the rest of her kind should know how to master the tactic. Violet has Andarna communicate with Glane, Imogen’s dragon, to tell her that she needs to meet with her. 

Chapter 1

Two weeks later, Violet is flying on patrol to look for any venin that may not have fled after the battle of the previous novel. Some of them had stayed behind and killed off some of the flyers at Basgiath already.

Violet is nearly knocked off Tairn by Ridoc’s dragon, and she gets frustrated with her dragons for not letting Xaden fix her saddle, seemingly because they don’t trust him now that he is a “dark one” and his soul is no longer his own. 

When Violet is done flying, she meets up with some of the other flyers, who haven’t been able to spot any venin on their patrols. She talks with Imogen, who suggests that Violet should no longer sleep next to Xaden at night, because of his venin abilities. Violet gets angry with her. Imogen asks her about her mission to find Andarna’s kind. Violet tells her that she is not the leader of that mission, but she is going to select a leader.

Violet makes her way over to the healing ward, where Sawyer lays in a bed recovering from his injuries. He is missing a leg from the battle in the previous novel. Several of her fellow riders are there, and they ask her about the mission to find more of Andarna’s kind, or the “seventh breed.” Violet tells them that if their leadership allows it, she will make a list of people she trusts to come with her.

Screams suddenly erupt in the infirmary, and several patients residing there are suddenly dead, killed by Venin who are hiding inside.

Chapter 2

Violet and her fellow flyers search the infirmary for the venin, who have killed all of the patients there. They find a venin disguised as a scribe, and Violet flings a knife into its chest, killing him. 

They then find two more venin trying to get into Jack Barlowe’s cell. They have pinned a lieutenant down to a table, and have slit his throat. Before Violet and the other flyers can attack, one of the venin disappears. Violet tries to save the lieutenant’s life, but he dies of his wounds before she can save him.

The other venin attacks them, telling Violet that she cannot kill him with her daggers. That’s when Xaden’s shadows enter the scene, corralling the venin and protecting Violet as he kills them with his daggers.

An hour later, Violet and the other flyers are dismissed from a debrief with the commandant of the Riders Quadrant, Colonel Panchek, and sent on their way. 

Garrick notes that Barlowe cannot hear or see anything outside of his cell unless someone opens the door. He claims that Barlowe will likely be dead within a week, based on how he’s draining the stones in his cell.

Xaden requests alone time with Violet, and her fellow flyers reluctantly agree. Violet tells him that the others have asked her to reconsider their sleeping arrangement, but that she refuses to do it. Xaden tells her that he channeled from Sgaeyl, but that his dragon is still not speaking to him, and that flying with her is awkward. Xaden says she knows that he is not whole, that she can sense it. 

Xaden then tells her that he can sense the other venin the same way they can sense him. He says this is how Garrick and he have managed to slay more than a dozen venin in the past week alone. He says he can feel them calling to him because he is one of them. 

Chapter 3

Garrick lets Violet and Xaden know that their five minutes of alone time is up. As Violet is preparing to meet with the Senarium—the leadership of the continent—about her mission to find Andarna’s kind, she asks Xaden if he would like to come with her on this mission, noting that Xaden will be beyond the wards. She notes that the wards have been doing more than protecting the rest of the flyers from Xaden—it has been protecting Xaden from himself. 

When Violet then meets with the Senarium, she is told that she must meet them alone. She stands before various aristocratic leaders from the provinces of the continent. They confirm that Violet seeks a task force which will embark on a quest to find and recruit the seventh dragon breed with an aim to increase their numbers and hopefully provide insight into killing venin.

Violet then proceeds to tell them a list of Andarna’s demands for the mission, but the leaders tell her that she is not in a place to make demands. Violet tells them that she will need six riders for her mission, but General Melgren tells her she may only take one. He tells her that Captain Grady, Violet’s RSC Professor, will lead the task force due to his experience, and that he will select the flyers to go on this mission. 

A Duke named Lewellen hands her a note on the way out, saying he will work on some of Andarna’s demands. The note is from King Tecarus, saying that she has three days to hold up her end of the bargain.

The next morning, Violet and Xaden lay in bed together, having slept in. They start kissing, and Xaden fingers her. But just as they are about to have sex, Xaden stops himself, throwing up his onyx walls. He tells Violet that he needs space, because he is not natural anymore. He points out some marks on their headboard, showing that he has likely channeled.

Chapter 4

Violet tells Xaden that he barely channeled, and that it isn’t a problem. Xaden tells her that he had stopped himself, saying the second Violet’s power rose, he felt it and remembered why he’d promised himself he wasn’t going to touch her. He says he cannot afford to lose control around her like he just did. 

Xaden comments on how they had shared a memory of them first having sex while they were hooking up that morning, and Violet says she is not sure how they are able to do this, wondering if it’s an intinnsic thing, or a bond, because it has happened more than once with them.

They then talk of the Pomoriel alliance that is forming. Violet notes that three of the highest Houses of Tyrrendor are at Basgiath, two of whom are known to hold allegiance only to the province, while the third is suspected. Xaden comments that killing him isn’t required to annihilate the Tyrrish aristocracy. Officially, he is just a lieutenant who has no place in any negotiations, but he is still supposed to speak for Aretia, according to Violet’s brother.

Mira and Brennan then show up to Violet’s room, bringing along a new conduit for Violet to use (the old one had been lost in the previous battle) as well as a rune that they had managed to nullify with the help of someone who has agrarian channeling abilities. Violet is impressed that they have managed to nullify this ruin without affecting the others. 

Brennan laments the difficulties of sealing the alliance with Poromiel. He says that the only thing keeping them at the negotiating table is the possibility of finding the seventh breed, as that could be a key to destroying the venin. He says that they are still negotiating for flier safety and conferencing with Navarre for the Aretian cadets to be able to stay at Basgiath, behind the protection of functioning wards.

Mira complains that she has had to fly out to dangerous territory to learn more about the wards in Aretia. Violet says Aretia will need another of Andarna’s kind to fire their wardstones. Mira then tells them they have six months of protection from the wards, given the rate they’re diminishing at. She says that finding Andarna’s kind could take decades. 

Mira then hands Brennan the rune they have nullified, mentioning it might be the key to forging the alliance with Poromiel. She tells Brennan to take it to the Senarium.

Chapter 5

Tension is breaking out at Basgiath between the Navarre flyers and the Aretian ones, as one of the First Wing flyers has forced a challenge with an Aretian flyer.

Violet rushes out to the courtyard, where the Navarre and Aretian flyers are separated into two distinct crowds. One of the Navarre flyers has challenged Cat, Xaden’s ex-girlfriend, and Violet rushes to defend her, saying that’s not how they treat their fellow cadets. But the challenger sneers that the Aretians are not cadets.

A senior wingleader, Aura Beinhaven then challenges Dain. Violet notes that if Dain falls, they will be leaderless, and sent into chaos. Aura calls out Dain for choosing to fracture the quadrant, that they left them and brought home the very enemy they had spent centuries fighting. She says that if Dain can defeat her, his fliers will live to see the morning. But if not, they will stain the courtyard red with their blood.

Dain refuses to fight, but Aura attacks him anyway. Just as she is about to channel fire through her hands, Violet throws a dagger at her, pinning her glove to a dais behind her, effectively challenging Aura to fight her instead. 

Chapter 6

Violet lifts her palms to the sky, summoning lightning and thunder. She then uses her lesser magic to allow her voice to carry to the Navarrian riders, saying that the only reason they survived the venin attack from the previous novel was because they gained access to knowledge that Navarre had purposely hid from them. She says they had stolen this knowledge, translated it, and saved them. She then says they need to ally with the gryphon fliers to save them from what’s coming.

She then tells the crowd about how the Aretian fliers have fought by their side for months, even after Navarre had spent centuries condemning their people to death because they were unwilling to share the wards with them. She says they don’t have to like each other, but they do have to trust each other.

Professor Devera shows up, backing Violet’s words. She says they must decide if they’d rather die fighting each other or die facing their shared enemy. She then says that the last time a shadow and lightning wielder fought side by side, they managed to drive the venin back into the Barrens for a few hundred years, and they will figure out how to do it again. Violet then realizes that she and Xaden are the first of their signets to live simultaneously since the Great War.

After the standoff with Aura is over, Brennan tells Violet that her mission was discussed among the Senarium. She guesses that Halden, King Tauri’s oldest son, is supposed to go with her, much to her chagrin. 

Duke Lewellen then shows up, giving her an update on the status of Andarna’s demands. He tells Violet that the Senarium has agreed that all those who flew for Aretia will be welcomed back with a full pardon for their treason and sedition within the now-negotiated accord with Aretia, which will be signed the next morning. He also agrees to allow Andarna access to hunt in the king’s forest whenever she pleases.

Violet, however, is more concerned with Andarna’s first demand, which is to keep the fliers safe and their squads intact. However, Lewellen informs her that the Senarium voted against this. He says the Poromish alliance has failed. 

Xaden then tells Violet that the king has given him back his title and seat in the Senarium, and that has also been given control of all of Tyrrendor as its duke.

Chapter 7

Violet and her fellow riders show up at the infirmary. They find Sawyer, asking him for his help in altering the very material a rune is tempered into without destroying it. He refuses at first, but Violet tells him the fliers will be escorted to Aretia tomorrow if he doesn’t help them. Sawyer then agrees.

They try to access the wards, but Mira is standing guard. She agrees to help them get access to the kingdom’s wardstone, however, and they find Navarre’s wardstone next to Aretia’s. Sawyer alters the wardstones, and one of the stones bulges outwards, then splits before melted metal oozes from it. A rider named Gamlyn hurls a ball of ice at the stone, keeping it intact. 

Mira says they need to be sure that Barlowe is still contained despite their altering of the stones. She is sure the protections against the dark wielders are still in place, however, despite what they’ve done. Ridoc exclaims that the fliers can now wield, and they can stay with their squads. They must then await potentially standing trial for treason.

Violet and the other riders show up for Battle Brief the next morning. Professor Devera announces that Professor Kiandra will be leading Battle Brief with her from now on, given the news that their nobles are back in active negotiation for an alliance. 

Professor Devera then announces the structure of the Wings will stay largely the same with the new fliers in place. A student complains that Third and Fourth Wing will be much larger, since they have a ton of Aretian fliers with them from the last novel. Professor Devera says the First and Second Wings will only be smaller until more flier cadets arrive from Cyginsen. 

She also announces that they have too many wingleaders. She says the new wingleaders will be Iris Drue for First Wing, Aura Beinhaven for Second Wing, Lyell Sterling for Third Wing, and Dain Aetos for Fourth Wing.

Suddenly, Dain’s father bursts into the room, announcing that Violet has been charged with high treason against the kingdom of Navarre.

Chapter 8

Colonel Aetos brings Violet before the Senarium. One of the dukes asks if the capabilities of the wards have been damaged beyond allowing the fliers to wield. Violet assures Xaden the stones are intact against dark wielders, and Xaden confirms to the Senarium that they haven’t been swarmed by venin, and that Barlowe remains in his interrogation chamber. Therefore, the wards are holding. 

Violet confirms to the senate that she is guilty of having orchestrated the altering of the wardstone so that the fliers could wield. She tells them they now have a clear path to negotiate an alliance. 

The Senarium wonders what they can do, but Xaden tells them there is nothing they can do, because they have already signed pardons for Violet and whomever she acted with earlier that morning. 

The Queen of Poromiel, Queen Maraya, then pulls Violet aside. She wonders why Violet has risked her king’s wrath and her kingdom’s defenses to keep her fliers around. Violet tells her it was the right thing to do. The only thing she has asked for in return is unfettered access to Tecarus’s library. Violet tells her it’s the best library on the Continent and their best hope for any historical record for how they had defeated the venin centuries ago. 

Colonel Aetos then confronts Violet after her meeting with the Senarium. Violet accuses him of having tried to kill them at Atehbyne in the previous novel, along with sending assassins after her and siccing Varrish on her. She tells him that they have won, and he has lost, as they have been pardoned.

Aetos points out that he is the one the king appointed to take over as commanding general of Basgiath. He tells Violet that her fellow second-years under her command are hereby ordered for two days of duty at the outpost of Samara, beginning the next morning. He comments that the fighting there is rather intense.  

Chapter 9

Twenty-two hours later, Violet and her fellow riders and fliers arrive in Samara’s courtyard to report to Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi. Degrensi tells them that the fighting there had ended yesterday, saying the biggest wyvern crashed through as the wards came back up, but once their perimeter fell, the venin didn’t need magic to get inside their post anyway. 

He says they nearly lost their power supply in killing them off, and they had managed to repel the venin across the border, but that their fighting front is just over the hill. He says the casualties are far worse beyond the wards.

A flier named Maren asks about Newhall, a small village on the Stonewater River half an hour away. Degensri says it still remains standing. A flier named Trager asks if they are offering the Poromish civilians refuge. Degrensi says they are under strict orders not to allow anyone in unless something in negotiations changes, but they crossed the border and fought with the Pormoish people until the horde had departed the day before. Degrensi then asks Violet and her dragons to stay out of sight, as that will attract the attention of the venin.

Later that night, Violet has a nightmare in which a painting of her family is destroyed in a fire. She wakes up and tells Rhiannon about it. A major and a captain walks by Violet’s squad, discussing how Newhall should’ve been evacuated because of how thin their army is stretched. Maren asks them why Newhall is being evacuated, and they tell her the area is under attack. Maren is concerned, because her family has fled there.

Violet and her squad agree to fly to Newhall to extract Maren’s family and save as many civilians as they can. 

Chapter 10

As the sun sets that evening, Violet flies with her squad to Newhall. As they approach the village, Violet can see it’s engulfed in smoke and flames, and the civilians are fleeing from a gate. 

She spots a wyvern approaching, and is able to take out a couple of them wielding her lightning. Below, she spots a venin draining the life out of half the village. It’s the one of the same venin that had shown up at Jack’s cell earlier.

More wyvern approach, and they are able to summon a tornado, sending Violet and Tairn crashing into a mountainside below. Tairn is knocked unconscious from the fall, and Violet’s knee is dislocated. Garrick shows up to help her, and tells her that the others have made it out of the village safely with Maren’s family. He says he is there because because Xaden lost his mind at her leaving. 

Violet questions how Garrick had arrived so quickly from Basgiath, but they are interrupted by a lightning strike. It has come from the venin, a silver-haired woman with purple robes. Violet is shocked, because venin aren’t supposed to have signets, let alone her own signet.

The venin woman announces that she has killed Maren’s parents, but not her siblings. She then uses her magic to lift Garrick in the air and choke him. She says she will return Garrick to the ground safely if Violet answers a question for her. She tells Violet her name is Theophanie, and she asks Violet who chose her first—Tairn or Andarna, referring to them as “the one who gifted you the power of the sky” and “the irid.”

Chapter 11

The venin tells Violet that her dragon’s breed is an irid, and Andarna later confirms this to be true, saying she remembers now that that is what her kind is called, and that she is an irid scorpiontail. The venin says that she was hoping to set eyes on Andarna, as this rare, seventh breed hasn’t been seen in centuries. Violet orders Andarna to flee for her safety. 

The venin then claims that Xaden will come to them before long, and she tells Violet that when she comes with him, to choose her as her teacher, and not a man named Berwyn. Violet asks why, and she tells her that Berwyn is subpar and that she would be powerless to resist his orders. She, however, will let Violet keep both her dragons while giving her both control and knowledge. The venin then leaves on her wyvern, allowing Violet and Garrick to live.

Garrick then confirms to Violet that his second signet is that of a walker, being able to travel thousands of miles in minutes. Violet tells Garrick to leave as Tairn awakens, and she flies to be back with her squad.

When Violet returns to Basgiath, Xaden is waiting for her there, and he carries her back to the dormitory wing. General Aetos storms in, accusing them of defying a direct order from Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi. Rhiannon tells him that their early return to Basgiath was signed off by him, however, because they did not have to mender the outpost and were already overwhelmed with wounded members. 

Aetos then asks who answers for Maren’s brothers, as King Tauri has refused to open their borders. He says they will have to be returned home immediately. Xaden says they will be taken back to Tyrrendor, claiming them to be Tyrrish citizens. Colonel Aetos says that Garrick and Xaden must depart by tomorrow afternoon for the Eastern Wing. They agree, but only because this has been ordered by General Melgren. Aetos takes leave of them.

Brennan then mends Violet’s leg, and Xaden orders everyone out of the room, and begins kissing Violet.

Chapter 12

Things heat up, but Xaden pulls away from Violet once again, saying that he was terrified for her. He says that while she is on orders to find Andarna’s kind, and he is on orders to the front, he cannot even trust himself to touch her. Violet says that she wants whatever he is able to give to her. Xaden says she is the only person in the world to strip him of every ounce of his control, and the only person he cannot fathom losing that control with. Violet says they will figure it out, even if they have to draw the line at only kissing. 

They then talk about Garrick’s second signet, and Violet tells him that the venin they encountered had the ability to wield lightning. She says that the venin are not limited to lesser magics, either, and that maybe they have signets, too.

Over the next week, the routine of classes resume at Basgiath. Someone brings Violet a letter from Xaden. Xaden says that they had fought in Fervan the night before due to an attack on civilians. He says he must delay his return to rest, because he nearly burnt out his magic abilities in the previous battle. Xaden says he may have a solution to prevent future burnouts.

Violet tells Imogen about the letter, saying that Xaden likely locked himself away in his quarters because of his venin powers overtaking him, and not because of burnout.

Later, she and Imogen approach Jack Barlowe in his cell. She offers him a tiny medallion of alloy from her conduit, imbued with enough power to keep him alive for at least another week. She says if Jack can answer a few questions for her, it is his to keep.

Violet asks Jack if he and the other venin can sense each other. He says they can, and that when someone becomes newly venin, they are not as adept at hiding themselves. He was told it’s so they will be found and raised by an elder, usually a Sage, but in rare cases a Maven may take interest. He says that initiates—asims—are all traceable to one another, but the great hall could fill with Sages and Mavens and he would never know, and neither would she.

She then asks if he has to be taught to channel. He says this is not so if you’re already experienced with the flow of magic. Someone who has never wielded would require instruction, however. But for dragon riders and gryphon fliers, the source is already there. They just have to choose to see it, to bypass gatekeepers and take what’s rightfully theirs. He says power should be accessible to everyone strong enough to wield it, not just who they see fit. 

She asks if Jack knows the venin’s plan. Jack says that information is need-to-know, and someone as lowly as him isn’t given this information. 

For her last question, Violet asks how he cures himself once he channels from the source. Jack says that she speaks as if he has a disease, but what he really is is free. However, he goes back on this, saying he is only free in part. He says their autonomy is exchanged for unfettered access to power. He also says that while she may see it as a loss of his soul, he isn’t burned by conscience or weakened by emotional attachment. He says they advance based on their own capabilities, their own talents, and at the whim of some creature. He says there is no cure because magic does not negotiate, and he does not wish to be cured. 

Violet gives him the alloy. She asks Jack why she has chosen to answer her questions, and not the questions of the others who have likely offered him something similar. He says he has done so for the satisfaction of knowing he can still cut her without even lifting a blade. Before they leave, Imogen wipes his memory.

Chapter 13

Violet and Imogen meet up with the other riders and Jesinia. They find out that Jesinia has been kicked out of the adept program for choosing to ally with Aretia in the previous novel. They ask Jesinia for help in learning where they can find more of Andarna’s kind.

Jesinia doesn’t have answers for them, and says she doesn’t even know exactly what information they’re missing in order to find Andarna’s kind. She says that she was reading General Cadao’s journal the other day, and a whole section of pages was ripped out after he notes that there may have been an outside isle supporting the second Krovlan uprising. 

Violet wonders how General Cadao could’ve had this knowledge, because Navarre had severed all communications with the isles after they sided with Pomoriel in 206, and they in turn killed every emissary they had sent to the isles. Jesinia says she can think of one scribe who might have the answer to this question.

Violet realizes her father may have this answer, because he had done research and had work he had yet to publish, which is hard for Violet to access now. She says they will need Dain to betray his father in order to access her father’s research.

Three days later, Violet is in Battle Brief pondering the issue with Dain. She notes that Samara still stands, and Xaden is safe, but has been gone more than ten days. Violet thinks that he has to either find the solution to his venin condition, or that he needs to get off the border.

Professor Devera says that there is a defined, supported assault happening along the wards, centered at the Samara outpost. She believes it’s simply because it’s the straightest path that leads to Basgiath and the hatching grounds.

She then passes out an anthology of materials on the venin to the class. She adds that there is a piece of information not included in their anthologies because it is recent—the venin can and do wield signets. She says they will now have a class to train for signet-against-signet combat, and it will be instructed by Xaden, who is a professor now.

Chapter 14

Violet speaks to Dain about her father’s research. She says it is hidden, and the quarters of Basgiath’s commanding general are warded so only their line, by blood or marriage, can pass through, and that bloodline is no longer hers. She tells Dain that she will therefore need his help in stealing it.

Xaden finds them, and Dain points out that Basgiath’s code forbids him, as a professor, for having a romantic relationship with Violet, who is a cadet. Xaden then tells her that Sgaeyl has spoken to him for the first time, having yelled at him, which had snapped him out of his venin-like trance when he was on the border.

Dain’s father then finds them, and Xaden requests an exemption to Basgiath’s rule about dating Violet, since his post is temporary and they previously had a relationship. General Aetos denies his request. Violet and Xaden agree to continue seeing each other, and that they will simply have to sneak around for now.

The next Monday, Violet sits around with Captain Grady’s chosen squad for the mission to find Andarna’s kind in the “planning chamber.” She and Xaden have been having trouble sneaking around, as a Navarre rider is watching her everywhere she goes. 

Captain Grady introduces the members of his squad. There is Captain Henson, an air wielder, Lieutenant Pugh, who has Farsight, Lieutenant Foley, an Agrarian, Cadet Beinhaven, who is a fire wielder, Lieutenant Winshire, who is an infantry liaison, and Xaden. Someone named Cadet Neilwart has been added to the roster as well.

Captain Grady announces that he wishes to explore the coastline to the north, along the Emerald sea, to search for Andarna’s kind. Violet argues that they should search the isle kingdom of Deverelli to the south as well, since that’s where Navarre’s last known communication with any isle kingdom has been, and they can buy information for the right price. 

She tells Xaden that records of the second Krovlan uprising have been ripped out of General Cadao’s journal, and that Jesinia thinks an officer hinted that an isle kingdom was involved hundreds of years after they had severed contact. She says General Aetos had asked her about her father’s research on the subject in the past year.

Captain Grady denies this request, however, and adjourns the meeting. Xaden stays behind to be alone with Violet, but Aura stays with them to escort Violet back to the quadrant.

Chapter 15

Violet and several cadets arrive at a half-domed arena for signet-wielding lessons with Xaden. She and Xaden haven’t been able to see each other much, so she has been spending a lot of time at the library. Even though their “quest squad” to find Andarna is to head north, she has still been reading everything she can about the Deverelli Isles.

As Xaden begins his lesson, several cadets in First Wing are talking loudly. He interrupts them, and one of the cadets says they are not sure that someone who graduated less than a year ago makes for the best teacher. 

Xaden challenges the cadet—-Loran Yashil—to see if he can take him down right then and there. The cadet attacks Xaden, and at the last minute, he sidesteps his charge and knocks his sword out of his hand. When Xaden turns his back to him, the cadet attacks again, and Xaden uses his shadows, wrapping them around Loran’s throat and arm, defeating him. 

One by one, Xaden has the rest of the cadets challenge him, and he is able to defeat them easily. He tells them that he wants the cadets to learn, not just from him but from one another. He says he will help expose the weakness in their signets so that when they come up against a venin with such a power, they will have already practiced how to defeat them. 

At the end of the lesson, he tells Violet to challenge him

Chapter 16

Xaden fills the arena with shadows, and commands Violet to use their pathway to track him down. She does this, and Xaden appears before her in the shadows, kissing her in the darkness. 

He tells her to strike again, and disappears back into the shadows. Violet sends a bolt of lightning into the sky, illuminating the arena. Xaden’s shadows disperse, and he dismisses the class. He tells Violet she is the only one capable of killing him.

Later, Violet and the other cadets are spending the afternoon at a pub. Cat wonders why Violet had said that Xaden never scares her. Violet tells her that she gets scared for Xaden, but she hasn’t been scared of him since Threshing. Meanwhile, Maren thanks Rhiannon for her family taking in her brothers in Aretia.

Dain finds their group, and tells Violet that he will have to steal her father’s research himself, likely the next night, since his father will be gone. He tells Violet that she will have to trust him. Violet tells him there is a secret compartment under her father’s desk in the study. Dain says she will have her father’s research by Monday morning.

Chapter 17

The next morning, a handful of names are read off the death roll. Sloane finds Violet, handing her a black canvas bag. She says that two of the tomes in there were selected by Jesinia, and another was passed along from leadership that morning. Violet smiles, realizing that Dain has come through on his promise to secure her father’s research.

Violet brings the canvas to her room, and finds that her father’s research is secured in a journal by a six-letter lock. There is a piece of parchment that her father had stashed in a roll beneath the lock. It reads “First love is irreplaceable.”

Violet ponders the clue to opening her father’s lock, thinking about whose name might open the lock. Her mother’s name and her own seem too obvious to her. Aaric asks Violet who her first love was, and how many letters were in that person’s name. Violet confirms it was six letters, but is embarrassed about the answer.

Later, Xaden begins his signet-wielding lessons with the cadets. They are interrupted by the appearance of Prince Halden, King Tauri’s eldest son. Violet tells Xaden to help hide Aaric, Prince Halden’s younger brother, from him. 

Prince Halden addresses Violet, disappointed she won’t interact with him. Violet accuses him of having cheated on her with an auburn-haired woman. Halden admits to having cheated, but only because he was suffering the loss of his twin. 

He then hands Violet a letter. It is from Viscount Tecarus, saying that he has handpicked a selection of tomes from his personal library for her. He also says that King Courtlyn of Deverelli has agreed to a meeting for the price of the Amelian Citrine.  He says Queen Maraya has agreed to gift it to him, but will not be responsible for its retrieval from its display in Anca. He requests that Violet retrieve it herself. 

Halden confirms that the Amelian Citrine is a lesser-magic amplifier worn by one of the members of the first drift. He says if Violet is willing to retrieve it, he is willing to order Grady to change course in where they search for Andarna’s kind. Before he leaves, Halden asks Violet out, lifting a hand to her braids. But before he can stroke her hair, Xaden’s shadows slam into him, throwing him against a rock wall.

Chapter 18

Halden gets up, and Xaden claims he was blocking a potentially lethal blow to a first-year and seems to have knocked the wind right out of Halden. Halden angrily says that it’s alright. Xaden then tells him that he has remarkable hearing thanks to his shadows, that he doesn’t control Violet, and that she hasn’t thought about Halden since the second she set eyes on himself.

Later, Violet tries to open the lock to her father’s research with Rhiannon. She tells Rhiannon that she and Halden had dated previously, but she never told Xaden because Halden had never been important to her. As to the lock, she guesses the name “Aimsir,” who was her father’s first love before Violet’s mother, and the lock clicks open.

Inside the journal, her father has written a note to her. It says that within his research is a careful study of the second Krovlan uprising. He says she will find the connection between the uprising and the pursuit of feathertails to be both alarming and enlightening. He also says that if she seeks out the weapon to defeat the venin, then she should abandon her robes and ride for Cordyn. 

He says that from Cordyn, she should book passage to Deverelli, where she will be safe beyond the reach of magic, and seek the merchant Narelle Anslem. He says to take her the rarest item she possesses, and to make sure it’s truly exceptional to be given what she needs, and not to send another in her stead. He also says that if she travels under the banner of Navarre, to beware the Deverelli king, because he bears grudges and speaks only in profit.

Violet then confirms with Tairn and Andarna that they should split the quest squad into two and head for Deverelli themselves. 

Xaden then finds Violet. He asks Violet if she loves Halden, and Violet says that she doesn’t love him the way she loves Xaden. She tells Xaden that she was eighteen when she dated him, and they were only together for about seven months, a little before his Conscription Day. She was infatuated and enamored at the time, so in that way, she had loved him. She says that she is completely Xaden’s, however.

Xaden pulls her in and aggressively kisses her. They nearly make love again, but Xaden pulls himself back for fear of losing control. 

Violet tells him that her dad left her a letter and that he needs her to go to Deverelli. She tells Xaden that searching the isles means they will need the audience with the king, which requires leaving the wards to get an artifact for the King of Deverellli and calling in help from Halden. They agree to leave as soon as possible for the artifact.

Chapter 19

Four nights later, a riot of eight people (including Mira, thanks to Halden throwing his royal weight around), crosses the border at Samara. 

Violet tells Tairn that she feels like there is more power there than usual, and Tairn says there is actually less power due to the venin. He says that she grows more powerful every day, however, and more capable of recognizing what was once entirely invisible to her. 

Three hours later, they land in Anca. They find a five-story house, which is the home of Amelia, First of the Drifts. This is the place where the Amelian citrine is displayed.

Four officers disappear into the creaky house, leaving Aura and Violet alone in the middle of the street to keep watch. Violet leaves her to take her watch at the other end of the house.

Mira finds the citrine, but not before Aura sends a blast of fire into the doorway, mistaking Captain Grady for a venin. Violet tackles her, but the damage has been done—Captain Grady has been lit on fire. Violet tries to put out the flames with Aura’s flight jacket, to no avail, and Captain Grady dies.

Xaden escapes the house, yanking Violet away from Captain Grady. Several other houses catch fire. Xaden attempts to put them out with his shadows, but is unsuccessful. Mira and Captain Henson both escape the burning house, and Mira is holding up the Citrine in her hands. They all rush out of the village to the town square.

As they try to escape, they are attacked by wyvern, one of which kills Aura. Tairn plucks Violet and Xaden from the ground. A wyvern gives chase, and Violet is able to kill it with her lightning. Tairn leads them away, and they cross the wards hours later, making it back to Basgiath. 

When they are back, Mira pulls out the citrine, which has been severely burnt. They worry that Courtlyn will not accept the artifact in this state. Mira hands Violet a note from the venin named Theophanie. The note asks Violet why she will not ask her for the answers she desperately seeks in regards to the cure to the venin. They had known that Violet and the others would try to retrieve the citrine.

Chapter 20

Upon their return, Violet spends a few days reading every single book on Deverelli Jesinia can find to prepare for her progress briefing with the Senarium.

On her way to meet with the Senarium, she learns that Ridoc can freeze water, potentially giving him the ability to freeze the water inside a person’s body. Few ice wielders are able to do this, making Ridoc’s abilities unique.

During the meeting, Halden says that now that they have the citrine, they have set a meeting with King Courtlyn, and that command is being transferred to Captain Henson. 

Violet is handed a scroll, which says they are to leave for Deverelli the day after tomorrow, meet with the king to try to negotiate an alliance, secure a foothold for expanding the search if they don’t find Andarna’s kind there, then report back, all under the command of Captain Henson and executive officer Lieutenant Pugh.

Violet rips up the scroll, saying that they will not search Aretia. She tells them they lost two riders because they gave her a squad full of people who don’t know or trust one another. She says she will only take the citrine to Deverelli with a squad of her choosing. Halden concedes this to her.

Violet names her squad, requesting that it be made up of Xaden, Mira, Cadet Gamlyn, Captain Cordella, Dain, Prince Halden, and one of Prince Halden’s guards. Halden says they will depart the day after tomorrow.

Mira then approaches Captain Drake Cordella, pointing out that he was instrumental in bringing the wards down in the Montserrat offensive the past year. He confirms this, and she knees him in the groin. She tells him that if he ever endangers her sister’s life again, her blade will replace her knee.

Chapter 21

Violet’s squad stops at Athebyne on their first night of flying, testing the gryphons’ limits of speed and endurance. They do not land for a break during the journey because Violet is terrified to let Xaden touch the unwarded grounds beyond Navarre, fearing his venin abilities coming into play. 

They land in a fighting put in Athebyne, and Halden tells Viscount Tecarus that they were hoping to rest for a day or two before continuing on to Deverelli. Tecarus asks if they have the citrine, and Halden confirms they do. Tecarus then leads them into his palace.

Tecarus inquires whether Xaden is visiting in his capacity of a lieutenant, rider, professor, or the Duke of Tyrrendor. He reaffirms his offer to Xaden from the previous novel, to be his on-call guard in return for the privilege of Violet and Xaden growing old together in the peace of his estate in the isles. Xaden once more denies this offer.

Xaden then asks Halden on what authority he is there. Halden says it is on the authority of a duke. Confirming that he is not here as a professor, Xaden scoops Violet up and takes her into a room down the hall. He holds her there, but they are interrupted by Tecarus.

Tecarus says that the prince cannot arrive in Deverelli in a basket, which is how he was transported to Athebyne. He says it is unseemly for royalty. He proposes Halden be delivered by one of Tecarus’s ships instead, timing up their arrival to Deverelli with the riders and flyers.

Nearly twenty-four hours later, Violet’s access to magic fades as they close in on Deverelli. Xaden can no longer speak with Sgaeyl. Violet can still feel Tairn’s bond, but she cannot feel her bond with Xaden anymore.

Chapter 22

Violet’s squad touches down in the sand in front of a sprawling, two-story manor. The riders and flyers can no longer communicate with their dragons and gryphons. Only Violet and Tairn still maintain a connection. 

Mira pulls out some protection runes from her pack. She says that Trissa sent them as a test to see if the runes will work where they are. She hands a rune to Violet, which is supposed to shield her from sunlight. She asks her to carry it discreetly while they are there. 

Tecarus arrives and says that prince Halden has an audience with the Deverelli king that afternoon, since he will only speak with another aristocrat. Ridoc tells Tecarus they need horses, as Violet wants to visit the market to buy books. Tecarus agrees, warning them to maintain a low profile. 

Violet and Xaden then speak alone. Violet says that everyone is heading up to take naps before they ride out to find the merchant. She says Halden is set to meet the king at three, so they can get a good four hours of sleep if they want to. Xaden refuses, telling her to rest. He wants to stay on the beach for a little while alone. 

Chapter 23

Violet and the other riders travel through Matyas, Deverelli’s capital city, on horseback. Xaden and Dain find a cloth merchant, who tells them they can find a dealer of rare books, two streets up the hill. 

The squad arrives at the bookshop, and Violet asks its owner if she knows anyone by the name of Narelle. Suddenly, two assailants charge from the back shelves of the shop. Xaden is easily able to subdue them with his shadows. 

The shopkeeper’s mother then shows up, leaning heavily on a cane. Violet correctly assumes this is Narrelle. The woman named Narelle says that Violet must be Asher Sorrengail’s daughter, and that she is here to collect the books her father wrote for her.

Chapter 24

Narelle explains that the assailants who attacked them are her grandchildren, and they were protecting the books from any riders who weren’t Violet and her crew, which was a job they had taken a little too seriously.

Narelle then incorrectly assumes Xaden is Dain, because of the way he sprung forward to protect Violet. They explain that Violet is with Xaden instead. Narelle is surprised by this, because Violet’s father had apparently predicted she and Dain would end up together. Narelle then tells them that the books are theirs if they can answer three simple questions. 

She asks what manuscript Violet’s father had left for her. Violet answers correctly that it’s Subjugated: The Second Uprising of the Krovlan People. 

She then asks Violet what her hypothesis is on why the Krovlan uprising fell apart. Violet tells her that she thinks the Deverelli had promised dragons but couldn’t deliver. She explains that Deverelli brokered a deal with Krovla and an unnamed isle that the isle would provide the army and Krovla would provide dragons. When they were unable to do so, the deal fell apart, and the Midnight Massacre happened, as Krovla remained a part of Poromiel.

Last, Narelle asks Violet what made her leave the prince. Violet says she left him because she found him in a “delicate situation” with one of his professors. 

Narelle accepts this last answer of Violet’s, commending her for knowing her value. She then has her grandkids fetch the books for her. They leave the bookstore ten minutes later with six tomes written by Violet’s father, each of them passcode-locked.

Later that afternoon, Violet bathes in her chambers. Xaden returns and begins kissing her.

Chapter 25

Xaden and Violet kiss, and Xaden points out to her that there is no magic where they are, so he can fuck her as many times as he wants without losing control. Xaden then performs oral sex on her and has intercourse with her. 

Afterwards, Violet says that they could take Tecarus’s offer and just stay in Deverelli while she tries to find a cure for his venin abilities. Xaden refuses, saying that the dragons are in pain because they are away from their magic. He says that he couldn’t let Violet abandon everyone she loves, either. 

The other riders show up at their chambers, saying that King Courtlyn has decided to keep Halden. King Courtlyn will only receive Xaden, since he is the only aristocrat there, and so he and Violet decide to go to retrieve Halden while the other riders fly out.

Chapter 26

Violet and Xaden arrive at King Courtlyn’s palace. A guard stops them, and Xaden tells him who he is, and that Violet is his consort. The guard tells them they are not allowed weapons. Xaden says that their dragons, who have followed them to the palace, are weapons enough. They walk into the palace’s dining hall, which has no roof, so Xaden and Violet have some protection from their dragons, at least.

They find King Courtlyn and Halden there, and demand to know what Halden did to make the king hold him hostage there. Halden says he did exactly what he was sent to do—he reestablished diplomatic connections with Deverelli and asked for their permission to use Tecarus’s manor to launch a search mission with a riot of dragons in return for the artifact he requested, but this was not enough. King Courtlyn exclaims that the artifact was not Halden’s to give. He angrily plunges a dagger into Halden’s hand.

Halden says that the dagger was his to give. Courtlyn denies this, and Xaden says it was actually his to give, because it’s the Blade of Aretia. Xaden then offers the same deal Halden had offered.

King Courtlyn brings his white panthers out. His servants reveal Captain Anna Winshire’s head on a plate, and one of the panthers feeds on it. Courtlyn says that Halden’s guard was found in his treasury with six stolen treasures on her person and five more she had yet to attain written in his handwriting. Halden claims those treasures are rightfully theirs. 

Halden then accuses King Courtlyn of taking advantage of their desperation and accepting priceless magical artifacts under unfair terms, and that he has now executed his personal guard when they only sought to rectify their outright theft with a genuine agreement. He says they want no part of him, his deception or his godsforsaken isle. He then shoves his section of the table over, and it topples into the void of the center.

Xaden then says that Halden no longer speaks for them. He says that if King Courtlyn will not accept a deal with Navarre, then he should accept one with Tyrrendor, and he assures him the only riots on his shore will have Aretian riders and their flier counterparts, who will abide by his laws and respect his customs. 

Xaden then prepares to offer the Blade of Aretia to King Courtlyn. Halden shouts that they do not have the authority to speak for Navarre. Courtlyn says this whole thing has grown tedious, and orders his guards to kill them all, and that only Tecarus may live.

Chapter 27

King Courtlyn’s guards move in, and Xaden draws his swords, tossing one to Halden. Xaden says to try to not kill anyone in an effort to maintain diplomacy. Violet is more worried about the panthers, however. 

A guard attacks Violet, pulling her up by the braid. He shatters her conduit with his spear. Violet is able to wrangle herself free and stab the guard. Halden has been knocked unconscious, but he is still alive.

They become overwhelmed by King Courtlyn’s guards, however, as twelve of them prepare to attack Violet and Xaden. Xaden is able to wipe them out using his venin abilities, which drains the energy from Violet’s conduit. 

Violet then calls the dragons near, and she tells King Courtlyn that they apologize for killing his guards, but that Navarre riders are trained to kill when they are attacked. King Courtlyn is shocked that their magic still works here. Violet offers to open up negotiations again as Andarna arrives, holding one of Courtlyn’s panthers delicately in her mouth.

Violet tells Courtlyn they will give him the rarest treasure found anywhere on this world and that his panther will walk away safely. Or, she can call her dragons back, and they will eat all of his panthers instead. King Courtlyn agrees to begin negotiations again.

Violet offers him the same terms that Xaden had offered him. She adds that Xaden will be pardoned of any crime King Courtlyn would accuse him of in regards to the night’s activities, and that he will be allowed to return to Deverelli as a member of their riot at any time. 

She then says that she expects King Courtlyn to accept the citrine as payment for the alliance, but agrees that he should be compensated for Prince Halden’s crimes. She then offers Andarna’s dragon egg shell. King Courtlyn accepts the offer, as long as King Halden never steps foot on his isle again.

He then asks if Violet will begin her search for Andarna’s kind at Unbriel, citing it as the closest main isle. He also says that if she is amenable, there is another trade he may be able to broker for her.

Chapter 28

Violet returns to Basgiath and sits in on a battle brief. Apparently, King Courtlyn had requested Violet and Xaden’s services as fighters in return for weaponry. And, in the eight days since they’ve been gone, the venin have been moving in Krovla again, and Cygnisen’s flier cadets have arrived at Basgiath, crowding out the battle brief room.

During battle brief, Professor Devera asks Violet to explain why an offensive taking place in Vallia is so concerning. Violet explains that once they raised the wards in Aretia, the venin had changed course, leaving conquered territory like Pavis to concentrate on Poromiel’s border with Navarre in what they now know was an offensive meant to strike the Basgiath hatching grounds. 

She says that moving southwest shows a change in strategy—the venin somehow know about the Aretian wards and they’re moving into position for the inevitability of them falling.

During the next week at Basgiath, Dain and Violet are able to decode the clues her father left to open the passcode-locked books she had retrieved in Deverelli. She sits in an amphitheater with her books while watching some of the squads train with Professor Carr.

Sloane then approaches her, saying that she wants to help with the books. Violet asks her why she won’t train, and Sloane says she doesn’t want to train because of how destructive her siphoning abilities are. She says she just wants to help in any way she can that doesn’t involve her “sucking the magic out of something.” Violet agrees to let her help, handing her a stack of innocuous texts, asking her to read them and write up a one page report on each.

Later, some of the other riders point out that as Violet begins to search the Deverelli coasts, she will face a strong headwind on her return trips home to report to the Senarium. They note that while the dragons can take these headwinds on, the gryphons cannot, meaning it will take them a very long time to search the isles completely.

Violet then decides that they won’t return home to report to the Senarium every time they search an isle—they won’t return at all until they’ve found Andarna’s kind. Violet also tells the other riders that the flecks in Xaden’s eyes still haven’t returned to gold, meaning that he is still under the influence of his venin abilities. Bodhi gives her a serum and antidote for Xaden.

Meanwhile, a second year out of Claw Section splays her hand on the mat, draining the color around her—she is displaying venin abilities. Professor Carr immediately drives an alloy-hilted dagger into her back, killing her.

Chapter 29

It takes ten days for Violet and her fellow riders to put plans into motion. Meanwhile, Violet wearily watches for Xaden’s eyes to turn colors, a sign that his venin abilities are coming back.

Aaric offers to join Violet’s crew of riders on their mission in place of Halden, out of worry that his brother will condemn the Continent to death because he cannot control his temper.

Halden then finds out the true identity of his brother. He’s shocked to find out that Aaric has been hiding in plain sight at Basgiath, while the rest of their family were searching all over the kingdom for him.

Later, Violet’s crew takes flight, spending a day at Athebyne and another at Cordyn to rest the gryphons between legs of their journey. They need to take two days to rest in Deverelli before continuing onward. Violet learns that some runes work off the Continent. However, she and Mira still need to narrow down which ones and figure out why. 

Eventually, they make it to the isle of Dunne. Aaric is to meet their queen and try to make an alliance. The riders speak of whether or not the dragons can learn to live without magic. Violet asks Mira about where she went while she was on leave. Mira says she visited their Grandma Niara, who has long been cut off from communication with Violet and Mira’s parents.

Later, the riders and fliers take watch for the night. Once Violet and Xaden’s watches are done, they sleep curled up together, and decide that they will become bait. A man approaches them while they’re sleeping, telling them it was a mistake to come. Xaden draws a dagger on him.

Chapter 30

Violet discovers that an entire platoon was sent to greet them, all riding on horseback carrying swords and daggers. They take Violet’s crew with them, but tell them that only half may continue further. Violet chooses who will continue on with their diplomatic mission, choosing Xaden to challenge someone, Aaric to speak for Navarre, Cat to speak for Poromiel, along with Violet herself and Dain.

They are brought to Eistol, the capital of Unnbriel. The soldiers want a challenge with the riders to be held in a station in their residential district, right in front of one of their temples. Violet is taken aback that the attendants in the temple have silver hair.

Chapter 31

Violet muses whether the silver-haired attendants could be related to her, noting that she has never in her life seen someone with hair like hers. 

The soldiers and the high priestess of the temple call out to Violet’s crew, asking if Xaden is their champion or their prince. Aaric, who is able to speak flawless Unnbrish, responds that he is the one who will be fighting, because he is the one who needs audience with their queen.

The Unnbrish people say that Xaden is the strongest, and select a man named Costa to be his opponent. The priestess then tells them that Costa will not be fighting alone, and selects Dain and Violet to fight two more of her own warriors.

Chapter 32

Violet faces a warrior named Marlis in the challenge, who is much bigger and stronger than her. As they begin their fight, Marlis is able to land a dagger into Violet’s dragon scale armor, causing her ribs to crack. However, Violet is able to nimbly counter and lock Marlis’s arms behind her back, demanding that she yield. Marlis refuses, and points out that Costa has Xaden pinned to his back.

Right before Costa is about to kill Xaden, Violet flings a dagger into his shoulder and Xaden is able to knock his blade loose. Violet presses a dagger to Costa’s throat and demands he yield. Marlis says not to yield, and charges Violet. Out of anger, Violet accidently causes lightning to strike the rocks near them. The commander then yells that Marlis will yield.

Violet then learns that Marlis is actually Queen Umbriel. She says that they have won two out of the three matches (Violet and Xaden having caused their fighters to yield, while Dain was defeated). The queen says they have earned their audience. 

The queen then asks how Violet was able to make her lightning strike the rock. Violet responds that she didn’t, and that there is no magic here for her to wield. 

The queen tells them they may take shelter in their jungles and have hunting rights for themselves and their dragons. But they will not fight alongside them. Violet asks them what they want, and the queen says they want dragons.

Chapter 33

The Queen says that if they can bring them twelve eggs—two of each dragon breed—then they will bring their army to the Continent. Violet refuses, and the queen says to come back when they are more desperate.

Later, Mira asks Violet if she wielded. Violet denies this, assuming that the lightning strike was a natural occurrence. Violet then asks Mira when her hair turned silver. Mira tells her that it simply grew that way. Xaden then tells Violet that they need to wrap her for her injuries. Violet tells him he needs stitches as well, and that they should make sure everyone is ready to leave as soon as possible.

After resting the gryphons for a full day, they land on the coast of Vidirys, which holds the capital of Hedotis. Here, one of them will have to prove wisdom in order to meet the triumvirate, which is elected by the town to rule. 

When they arrive at the capital, a man named Faris introduces himself. He has brought his household to formally make their acquaintance, and introduces his wife, Talia, who is Xaden’s mom.

Chapter 34

Violet holds Xaden’s mom at bay in a bedroom doorway of her own house while Xaden refuses to see her because he loathes her. Violet tells Talia that she will see if Xaden is willing to have dinner. 

Later, Xaden tells Violet that he had thought his mother had been living in Poromiel all this time, and had never told him she was from Hedotis. He reveals that she left him when he was only ten years old. They also find out that Talia has two children with Faris. Violet eventually convinces Xaden to have dinner with his mother. 

Violet requests Andarna to follow Talia’s two boys when they leave the house. She then asks Talia to bring dried arinmint to dinner, which she had given to Xaden while she told him bedtime stories when he was young.

Chapter 35

At dinner, one of the triumvirate leaders, Nairi, inquires as to why Cat and Xaden are not married to form an alliance between Aretia and Poromiel. Xaden says he doesn’t owe them an explanation about his love life. 

Another triumvirate leader, Roslyn, suggests that Cat and Xaden marry for a few years to secure an heir for Tyrrendor and put Poromish blood in the line. Xaden then suggests they draw up marriage papers, but not for him and Cat—for him and Violet.

He says that Violet is the only choice he has made for himself, and says that his mother would know that if she hadn’t abandoned him. He tells her she could have stayed and been his mother instead of leaving him. 

Mira then accuses the triumvirate of never having wanted to share their knowledge or ally themselves with Navarre. Xaden also accuses them of having been cruel, and not wise, in razing an existing city to build their capital upon. 

Roslyn then asks if Violet is truly bonded to the seventh breed. Faris also asks her that if she seeks knowledge, why does she not worship Hedeon. 

Talia offers up chocolate to Xaden, knowing that it’s his favorite. However, she’s been hoarding the chocolate for weeks, which means the triumvirate had already known that Violet’s crew was coming. It’s at this moment that Violet realizes they have poisoned the cake.

She tries to stop everyone from eating it, but Garrick has already had several bites, and collapses.

Chapter 36

Violet shouts down her bond to get Tairn and Andarna to come back. Mira summons Trager, while Xaden performs CPR on Garrick.

Meanwhile, Talia realizes that Faris was responsible for the poisoning, shockingly asking him if he poisoned her son. Faris replies that Xaden was wise enough not to eat the food they offered. He says that Talia should be proud of her son, rather than angry with him.

Then, Violet tells Faris that she has poisoned them with the arinmint tea they drank earlier. She tells Faris she will make him a deal—-if he gives her his antidote, she will give him his antidote. 

While Trager is working to resuscitate Garrick, Violet tells Mira to look through everything in the house that can kill them, and she tells Dain to get her dad’s book on Hedotis.

Violet then tells the cook that if he tells them what’s killing Garrick, he will get to live. She notices the cook has blue stains under his nails, and realizes what’s in the poison. But before she can say anything, the cook has flung his kitchen knife at her. Violet dodges the knife and throws one of her own daggers at him, pinning her wrist to the doorframe. 

However, the cook was able to stab Ridoc in his side before this happens.

Chapter 37

Fortunately, the cook’s blade has only caught the edge of Ridoc’s flight jacket and hasn’t harmed him. Ridoc attacks the cook in turn, punching him several times. 

Violet returns to the dinner room, finding two of the triumvirate members vomiting from her poison while Xaden and Trager monitor Garrick as Xaden’s mother sobs. Violet pulls out her dad’s book, flipping to the chapter on zakia berries. She reads that they are poisonous when allowed to ferment, and that they should be treated with fig or lime to the back of the throat within one hour.

The men in Violet’s crew then work to get a fig slurry down Garrick’s throat. Garrick sputters and his eyes flash open—the antidote has worked.

Xaden then attacks Faris in anger. Violet notes that he has likely entered into his venin-state, and that he isn’t himself. 

Violet then tries to negotiate with Faris to secure some kind of alliance. She tells Faris that he won’t turn on them when they leave because he won’t be able to keep it a secret that he has been outsmarted in his own home by Violet and her friends, and that this will surely hurt his bid for power.

Faris responds by asking Violet how she managed to poison them. Violet says that Arinmint is just like regular mint, and when it’s used by itself in a milk or tea, it’s an effective sleep and healing aid. However, when you combine it with other herbs, like the shredded bark of the tarsilla bush, it becomes a deadly poison. 

Violet then tells him that they are going to fly out of his isle safely, because one of her dragons is keeping watch over his sons. Faris thinks this is impossible, that someone would have seen the dragon, but Violet explains that Andarna is an irid and can camouflage herself to not be seen. Faris reluctantly agrees and drinks his antidote.

Later, Violet and her friends fly through the isles once again to resume their search for Andarna’s kind, and eventually they reach Zehyllna. As they near the island, they catch a glimpse of what looks to be a gate or an amphitheater, where a crowd is awaiting their arrival. After they land, Violet realizes that magic is present on the island.

Chapter 38

Violet’s friends are able to communicate with their dragons once more now that they are in a place where magic is present. She points out to Xaden that he wasn’t himself back in Hedotis, and that he could’ve hurt someone in his venin-state. Xaden says he only worries about what he could have done to her, and Violet reaffirms that he won’t hurt her, even under the spell of his venin abilities.

As they approach the crowd in Zehyllna, a woman named Calixta introduces herself as the mistress of the day’s festivities. Calixta tells them that their queen is delighted they’ve sought them out and is eager to come to their aid, as they have always revered dragonkind and gryphons.

She then tells them that they must see what gifts Zihnal, the god of luck, has chosen for them. She says if they are willing to play and accept whatever gift Zihnal presents them with, then they will be granted entrance to their city, where their queen waits.

Calixta reaches into a canvas bag and pulls out a stack of cards, each of which represents a gift. Violet and her friends each draw a card, most of which are innocuous gifts—a bottle of wine, orange tunics, a slap in the face, a rusted steel bucket, etc. Violet is gifted a broken compass.

Trager, however, draws a card with an arrow on it, and is promptly shot dead by an archer.

Chapter 39

Trager’s gryphon, Sila, dies along with him. Violet and her friends have to accept their gifts gratefully from Zihnal, despite them having killed Trager and his gryphon.

That night, Violet and her squad return to the field where they had previously accepted their gifts. Mira tells them that Aaric has agreed to Zehyllna’s terms. They will send an advance party within the next couple of months and the rest of their troops whenever Navarre is ready to accept all forty thousand of them. 

Maren points out that they will have to bury Trager and that they will have to cremate his gryphon. They decide to fly to an uninhabited isle to do this, as they worry that someone will dig up whatever’s left of Silas’s bones out of curiosity.

They sleep at Zhinal that night and have different people take watch. As Violet tries to rest, she tells Xaden that she had frozen during the events of that day. Xaden reassures her that her freezing was perfectly natural, and that he has seen the moments when Violet hasn’t just risen to the occasion, but owned it. He points out that she poisoned the entire triumvirate at Hedotis, for example. He tells her to imagine who she will become when she finally learns to not just embrace her confidence, but to live it. He then tells her that there is no cure for his venin abilities, and that’s why she has to become better than him—there is only her.

Chapter 40

Violet and her squad fly at dawn, taking Trager and Silas’s bodies with them. They find an uninhabited isle and land, then build a pyre for Trager and Silas. After this is done, they take turns taking watch. 

Tairn confirms that they are at the southern tip of an island chain of volcanic formations that does not match anything on their maps. They make plans to split up and search the unmapped islands in the area. She orders Xaden and Garrick to go together, telling Xaden that she is a trigger for his venin abilities, and Garrick has the serum he needs to remain himself. 

Meanwhile, she and Ridoc will search the isle they currently reside on. Ridoc takes to the woods while she searches a beach. Six dragons approach her, all of them irids. One of them greets her, speaking through the dragon-rider bond. 

Chapter 41

Andarna arrives at the beach to defend Violet. One of the other Irids mentions that Andarna is the “Criterion.” Another dragon says that they have no interest in the humans, and that they’ve only come to speak to Andarna. 

They ask her how she came to choose her tail, and why she would present herself to a human. Andarna explains her birth and bonding to humans and how she had slowed time for Violet. They are surprised by this, so Andarna asks them if they do not bond with humans.

The irids say that they do not live with humans, and that there are hundreds of them. Andarna explains that they are there to ask if the irids will come home to fight with them, and to see if the knowledge has passed down of how the venin were defeated during the Great War, or if they know how to cure them. 

The irids, however, are appalled that Andarna was used to channel as a juvenile, and that this is the cause of her damaged wing. One of the dragons asks for privacy while they confer.

When they return, they claim that they were not testing Andarna with their questions, but Violet, and that she has failed their test. They claim that Violet uses Andarna, having taken advantage of a vulnerable child. 

They say Violet used Andarna’s power as an instrument of warfare and forced her premature growth. They say their breed is born for peace, and not violence like the others, and that Andarna was left behind as the criterion—-the measurement of the humans’ growth and their ability to choose tranquility and harmony with all living things. 

They had hoped Andanra would return to tell them the humans had evolved, that they had blossomed under the wardstones and no longer used magic as a weapon, but instead, they have shown them the opposite. The irids say that Andarna, their very hope, has handed Violet something far more dangerous to wield.

Chapter 42

The irids say that the humans have weaponized Andarna’s magic, including her tail, and have become the very thing they abhor, the horror they had fled from.

Andarna asks if they will not return with them to help them achieve peace. The irids respond that they will not, because they feel it is not peace the humans seek, but victory. Andarna responds that peace requires the Aretian wardstone, which they cannot fire without the other irids. The irids say this is not their problem.

Andarna then asks if the dark wielder’s cure is for them to evolve, and one of the irids says there is no cure for the venin. Andarna then asks if they will not at least tell them how the venin were defeated in the Great War. One of the irids says that the venin were not defeated if they are here asking for help now.

The irids then tell Andarna that they have determined she is an irid in scale and name only, and that she will not be allowed entrance to their isle nor instruction in their ways. They decide to part.

Xaden returns from his search to the scene. One of the irids sees him and calls him an abomination. Andarna, meanwhile, skulks into the jungle of the island. 

Ridoc then tells Violet that he saw Xaden’s eyes turn red and that he knows he is a venin. He tells Violet to come clean with him and tell him what is going on.

Chapter 43

Violet quickly tells Ridoc about Xaden’s situation before the rest of their squad returns to the island. She promises to tell him everything if he can wait until they have some privacy.

They fill the rest of the squad in on the situation with the irids. The squad debates travelling to other isles to form more alliances, but decide it’s best to return home to Basgiath instead. 

Meanwhile, Ridoc warns Violet about the danger Xaden poses to them all. Violet reassures him that Xaden is not like Jack Barlowe, that he’s never hurt her and that he’s only ever channeled to save other people. Ridoc is shocked to learn that Xaden has already channeled multiple times. 

Ridoc then asks how long it will be until Xaden is an asim, until he’s physically unable to deny the call of a Sage. Violet says as long as he doesn’t channel again, it shouldn’t be a problem, but Ridoc says that they always channel and that initiates don’t just walk away from power. 

Violet reaffirms her will to find a cure for Xaden, even though the irids had just said there was no cure. She angrily tells Ridoc that she is not going to give up on the man she loves, and accidentally causes lightning to slam into a tree behind him. 

Ridoc apologizes, but tells Violet to draw a line to where he can turn him in. Violet says Xaden would hypothetically have to kill another rider without cause or hurt civilians. If he hurts her friends, her dragons, or herself, then Xaden is not himself anymore, and that’s the line she will draw. 

They then approach Xaden with the news that Ridoc knows about his venin abilities. Ridoc demands that they tell Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Jesinia. He says that Sawyer and Rhiannon are the only ones that can be with Violet during every class to protect her, and that Jesinia needs to know what she’s actually researching in case there is a way to slow Xaden’s venin progression. Xaden and Violet agree to his terms.

Violet and Xaden then discuss the irids. Xaden says that two of the irids had stuck around because they hadn’t made up their minds yet. He says he thinks Violet had them because she didn’t know how young Andarna was at Threshing. However, when they saw him, this had helped them make up their minds not to help. Violet says it’s not his fault and nothing about her love for him has changed.

Eventually, Violet’s squad makes it back to Basgiath, and Andarna flies straight to the Vale to be alone. Violet tells Rhiannon that they had found the irids but that they wouldn’t come back with them. 

Dain’s father approaches them and hands Violet a letter. It is from the venin, Theophanie. Theophanie wonders why Violet went through so much effort to recruit the irids when she has the one thing Violet seeks above all else. She says that she is making arrangements for them to meet again.

General Aetos then tells them that Suniva has fallen to the venin and that Queen Maraya is dead.

Chapter 44

The leadership separates Violet’s squad and questions them with the scribes. Mira and Garrick are released back to the front at Draithus on the last day of their inquisition. Drake departs for Cordyn, and Brennan arrives from Aretia to mend Violet’s ribs. Xaden is hauled into the Senarium meetings while being returned to his position as professor.

Later, Violet sits in on a battle brief with Professor Devera and Profesor Kiandra. Professor Devera asks the class where they should put their forty thousand troops from the alliance with Zehyllna. Cat says they should be sent south to hold the line so Cordyn doesn’t fall. Devera wonders, however, if Cat is biased, since this is now the seat of power of her uncle, King Tecarus, now that Queen Maraya is dead.

Professor Devera then says it’s critical that they discuss the fall of Suniva. She says that a fire had started there in the textile district from wind-wielding venin, which quickly devoured most of the city. She says that nearly 25,000 people had perished in the fire, which was caused by twelve venin and twelve wyvern. She and Professor Kiandra urge the class to think of ways to stop the venin and wyvern.

Xaden asks what was in the armory at Suniva. Professor Devera says that six crates of freshly delivered alloy-hilted daggers had arrived a few hours before the attack, and the armory was the first target hit. This means that there was a traitor in the ranks who gave this information over to the venin.

Rhiannon asks how the venin got to Suniva without being detected. Professor Kiandra says that the venin flew in with an oncoming storm to arrive undetected. Violet tells the class that one of the venin (Theophanie) is a lightning wielder, and that this is likely how they started the fire and took out the dragons stationed in Suniva. 

Rhiannon then says that Violet could have taken out a chunk of the wyvern on approach by striking into their storm cloud. She says Violet could take out their lightning wielder if they don’t know she’s there. 

Violet realizes that she would have to defeat Theophanie in a lightning battle, but she knows she is outmatched by the venin, who is likely a Maven. She thinks that her only advantage is that Theophanie wants Violet alive. 

After the battle brief is over, Violet tells Jesinia, Rhiannon, and Sawyer that Xaden is slowly turning venin.

Chapter 45

Violet has a nightmare in which she encounters the venin Sage, who says he will bring her to heel. She awakes when the Sword of Tyrrendor rushes toward her chest. Although the Sage is dead, Violet still worries that Theophanie could get to Xaden. She receives a gift from Xaden, which is a Deverelli silk nightgown and robe. 

Later, Violet attends a training session on the flight field with Professor Kaori. He urges the riders to learn how to dismount in a running landing, wield to defeat their presumably venin opponents, then be ready to take to the sky in what he calls a “battle-mount” if they are unsuccessful or outnumbered.

Violet attempts this maneuver, dropping from Tairn’s saddle in the sky. Tairn retrieves her before she hits the ground and gently lets her down. Violet then wields her lightning at a projection, hits her target, and Tairn scoops her up again, throwing her back onto his saddle with his talons. Several other riders attempt the maneuver and injure themselves in the process. 

After the maneuvers are done for the day, the dragons launch, and Violet hangs back to catch Xaden alone. She hands him an onyx piece of a turret from the top of Riosron house as a gift. She says that when things get bad, she hopes he can look down at it and imagine them sitting there on the roof of Riorson house when everything is over. 

Later, Felix finds Xaden and tells him that two wyvern came through the wards the day before and that the wards are failing. 

Chapter 46

For three weeks, Violet trains with Professor Carr. She spends her time in class, working out with Imogen, and wielding with Felix. Ten days prior, Xaden had been called to Tyrrendor, and Andarna hasn’t been around, and Violet and her friends have not been able to find anything to help slow Xaden’s venin progression.

Meanwhile, several of the Senarium leaders argue in the great hall. Lewellen, who is serving as a proxy for Xaden’s seat, is arguing with Duke Calldyr, who is angry that Xaden has opened up Tyrrendor’s borders to take in civilians. 

Xaden arrives, and argues with Prince Halden over his sovereignty of Tyrrendor. He says that Draithus has weeks before the venin attack, and Tyrrendor will take any and all Poromish civilians willing to climb the Medaro pass, saying he is unwilling to condemn thirty thousand people to death.

Xaden then tells Violet that a wyvern had made it halfway to Areita the day before, prior to it falling out of the sky, and that a dozen more had tried. He says that Violet’s rotation to Aretia in a month will be fine, but they can’t wait much longer. Violet tells him the riot can stay in Aretia, but Xaden says that he cannot keep cadets there if Aretia becomes the front line. 

Meanwhile, a cadet named Lynx manifests his signet, which are shadows like Xaden’s. Xaden talks him through the process. 

Once this is over, Xaden tells Violet that he is needed in Lewellen. He says that Melgren has demanded they double their Talladium output for alloy, which is straining the minders, and that there’s unrest after their conscription announcement. 

Violet pleads him to stay with her until she goes to Aretia, however. Lewellen then advises Violet on loving someone like Xaden, who is in power. He says that Xaden needs her to keep him from fraying, which can sometimes mean putting what she wants or needs aside for the good of the province. 

Violet understands that Lewellen is saying that Tyrrendor comes first, Xaden comes second, their relationship comes third, and her personal needs are a matter of convenience. 

However, she says that Xaden comes first for her and that she will never stop being the woman he fell in love with in order to morph into whatever doormat Lewellen thinks Xaden requires of her. She says she promised to keep Tyrrendor safe, but not at Xaden’s expense. Llewellen says that it’s hard to love someone in power, and it goes both ways.

Chapter 47

Two days later, Violet helps Sawyer relearn how to mount his dragon, Sliseag, now that he is missing a leg. Andarna appears during this, offering to help by flattening the tip of her tail to boost Sawyer up onto his dragon. Sawyer is eventually able to get up on Sliseag, because the dragon decides to extend its leg into the mud to offer an incline for Sawyer to get on.

Meanwhile, Violet tells Andarna that she can grieve the loss she experienced at being rejected by her own kind. Andarna points out that Violet does not talk about her own grief, nor does Tairn, and Violet says she is working on this.

Later, Violet prepares to leave for Aretia without Xaden by her side. Professor Kaori asks her permission to study Andarna, but Violet says Andarna will not let him do that. 

Sometime later, Violet arrives at Riorson House. She enters the room she and Xaden had shared previously alone. Brennan finds her there, and tells her that he was unable to mend Xaden, signaling that he knows about Xaden slowly turning venin. Despite the bad news, Violet is happy to know that Xaden hasn’t given up trying to cure his venin condition.

Chapter 48

Violet pores over a book Tecarus sent her in Xaden’s room at Riorson House. Xaden shows up, and immediately starts kissing her.

Violet is surprised to see him, because she thought he was in Lewellen. Xaden explains that he was, but that he had launched for Tirvainne and ended up at Riorson House. He tells Violet that Riorson House will be his home after she graduates and they are both assigned there.

He then tells her that if he can make it seventy-six days, this will indicate that he can stall the progression of the venin disease that’s taking over him. Violet notes that this is only three days away from now. She tells Xaden that she sees every part of him—the good, the bad, and the unforgivable. She says she can handle herself against him if she has to; she can handle him if he loses control and attacks her.

Chapter 49

Things between Xaden and Violet heat up, and they have sex together. When they are finished, Violet points out that there are no marks on their wooden headboard, which shows that Xaden is stable and not losing control to his venin abilities.

Chapter 50

Violet has another nightmare. She is in Draithus, and the Sage approaches her again, telling her that she is theirs, and that she will bring them what they want, or “she” dies. They say that they will not allow “her” to win such a prize (it is unclear who the Sage is referring to here). Violet awakens with the Sword of Tyrrendor at her throat.

Xaden, sleeping next to her, also awakens from a nightmare. They talk about their dreams, and Violet says that in her dreams, her hands weren’t her own, and that they looked like Xaden’s hands. Xaden then tells her that she was in his dream.

Two hours later, Violet has told Xaden about every dream she can remember with the Sage, and Xaden’s had every single one of those dreams. They also find out that Violet was likely in one of Maren’s dreams as well, which was the night Violet had dreamt about her family portrait being on fire.

Xaden believes that Violet may be a dream-walker, and that this may be her second signet, the one that being bonded to Andarna has given her. He says that Andarna’s kind are peaceful, and the signet would therefore likely be passive, like dream-walking. He says it’s a highly dangerous, however, as it is a form of intinnsic.

Violet asks Andarna if this is true, and she confirms that Violet has been known to wander while dreaming. She says it’s harmless, and that Violet is mostly drawn to Xaden’s dreams.

Later, they find Maren to confirm if Violet had, in fact, walked into one of her dreams. They ask about the portrait, and Maren shows it to them. Violet has seen it before in Maren’s dream, which confirms her abilities further.

Suddenly, Tairn bellows at Violet that a horde is approaching from the east—they are under attack.

Chapter 51

Violet and the other fliers at Aretia gather in the courtyard for battle formations. Rhiannon and Violet will cover the high skies while others cover the ground to their sector. Once they launch for battle, pairs of wyvern fly toward them on dozens of different flight paths, disappearing into the stormy night. 

Rhiannon instructs Violet to stick close to the walls, but Tairn disagrees with this, as Violet’s powers could hurt civilians. They fly on instead, passing the protections of the wards. Meanwhile, Andarna has been sent to the wardstone to fire it up and keep its power going.

A wyvern attacks Rhiannon’s dragon, Fierge, but Fierge bites into its neck and kills it. Tairn barrels into another wyvern, biting it and rolling against it, breaking the wyvern’s neck as it falls to the ground.

Tairn then explains that Violet’s year-mates have brought down two pairs of wyvern themselves, but their bodies have caused destruction on the ground below. He says the wards have not been reached by the wyvern, but they will continue to test the boundaries.

Violet then notices four wyvern skimming the ground below, heading for Andarna and the ward. She strikes her lightning against the lead pair. Theophanie is riding on one of the other wyverns behind. Tairn attacks one of them, then bellows out in pain.

Chapter 52

Violet and Tairn skid to a halt in the prairie grass, and Violet lifts her head just in time to see Feirge fly after Theophanie’s wyvern, who’s taken to the sky. Violet has Andarna tell Feirge not to give chase. Andarna then shows up to the battle, and Violet asks what she is doing there. Andarna says that Prince Aaric has told her to protect Dunne’s temple. 

Later, Violet examines Tairn’s injury. A wyvern’s wingspur is embedded into his thigh. A few wyvern then approach them, while dozens of white-haired temple attendants and their high priestesses wait at the temple steps behind Andarna, watching the skies. They refuse to take refuge in the temple.

Theophanie approaches the high priestesses. One of them shouts at her, calling her a heretic. Violet realizes that Theophanie was once a priestess of Dunne, and that her silver hair matches the attendants’ on Unnbriel, which also matches her own.

Two more venin walk through the grass behind Theophanie, and Andarna leaps over Tairn’s tail, blasting a stream of fire Theophanie’s way. Theophanie and the other venin spot something in the sky above and are frightened. Theophanie orders the other venin to leave, and they disappear.

Four more wyvern approach from the skies, and Violet takes one of them out with her lightning. The rest suddenly fall out of the sky. They crash into the temple steps below. Giant debris of rock fly up, but are suspended in midair.

Xaden finds them, saying that the wards have gone up. Violet is wondering how, when Leothan, one of the irids, shows up, saying that he has fired their wardstone.

Chapter 53

Violet notes that if the irids have fired the wardstone as the seventh breed, then Aretia is safe. Fierge begins to attack Leothan, but Andarna stops her, saying that Leothan is of her line.

Leothan tells Andarna that she should be given the chance to learn and choose their ways. He says that she will come home with him, and that it may take a few years, but that the other irids will accept his decision. He says that by then, Andarna will have learned enough to know her truth. 

He advises Andarna to end her bond with Violet. Violet says this is not possible, and Leothan asks who bonded to Violet first. Violet says it was Tairn, and Leothan points out that humans should only be capable of bonding a single dragon, yet Andarna had forged a connection where there shouldn’t be one. 

He says that only an irid can do that. He also says that Andarna’s instincts are excellent, but she needs instruction. He advises her once more to break the connection and come with him.

Andarna agrees, and the bond between her and Violet is broken. 

Chapter 54

For the next three days, Violet refuses to leave her room, being in a depressive state over Andarna leaving her. Mira, Brennan, and Xaden find her to try to get her up and moving again.

Brennan notes that he has been figuring out how to house and feed thousands of people currently climbing the Medaro Pass, while overseeing a massive increase in forge output, in addition to spending his evenings mending every wounded rider capable of flying from where they are to the front. Violet realizes this means that Xaden has opened the Tyrrendor border.

Later, Xaden helps Violet bathe. Afterwards, Mira and Brennan return, and Mira says she has gone through their mothers journals, noting that there are months missing from the summer their mom and dad left them with Grandma Niara. 

Mira points out that the priestesses at the Temple of Dunne had said that if Violet had chosen her future poorly, she could still earn their mentorship, but that she would turn venin. Brennan reassures Violet that her parents never tried to “dedicate” her. Violet realizes that her mother did not take her to do this, but her dad had tried. 

Mira then clarifies that the priestesses had told her that the heart that beat for Violet, or within her, would do the wrong thing for the right reason, reach for unspeakable power, and turn dark. 

At this point, Xaden points out that it’s not Violet who has been dedicated, but himself—that he is the venin. He says that his heart beats for her, and that he reached for unspeakable power and turned. It’s at this point that Mira finds out that Xaden is slowly turning venin.

Chapter 55

Two days pass and Mira does not tell anyone about Xaden. However, she is not speaking to Violet.

Meanwhile, Violet is struggling with her runes. She realizes this is because she had always used Andarna’s power to power them; Tairn’s power is too strong to break pliable threads from them.

Later, Felix wants to train Violet some more. He says that since Andarna has left her, it’s all the more reason to practice—if the irids aren’t coming to save them, then Violet better be ready. He notes that Violet’s inability to follow orders during the venin/wyvern attack had nearly cost civilians their lives when the wyvern came crashing down. 

He says that Violet was correct to engage farther from the battlements but should have immediately returned to her post and intercepted the wyvern instead of gambling their lives at the temple. He says that her squad needs to learn some boundaries, and that she is not just any cadet, and that they have to realize they cannot go chasing after her when she makes mistakes. Had the irid not fired the wardstone, they would have lost the battle.

Later, Bodhi tells Xaden he wants to drop out of Basgiath. Xaden refuses, however, because Bodhi is his replacement for the Tyrrish throne. Violet realizes that Xaden has been planning for the future by training Bodhi as his replacement.

Afterwards, Xaden says that he will not give up a single day he has with Violet. She realizes that they only have a matter of days together before things begin to change. 

Chapter 56

Violet dreams she is in a field in front of Draithus, surrounded by mountains. She wields shadows and realizes that she is in Xaden’s dream. The Sage notes her presence, calling her a dream-walker. 

Violet tries to awaken Xaden, but the Sage tells her that she can’t. The Sage says he is done playing this little game, and that if Violet will not deliver “her,” then “she” will come herself. He tells Violet that either she comes or “she” dies. Violet does not know who he refers to.

Violet then plunges a dagger into her leg to wake herself up and wakes Xaden up afterwards. Garrick finds them and says that Theophanie has let him go to deliver a message. Her message is that the venin have reached the walls of Draithus, and that if this isn’t threat enough, they have five hours to bring Bodhi and Violet, or “she” dies.

Violet wonders who “she” is, and when she sees Teine’s green scales on the shield on Bodhi’s back, she realizes that “she” is Mira, and Theophanie is holding her hostage.

Chapter 57

Violet and the riders debate on what to do next. They do not have enough riders to retrieve Mira, defend Draithus, and protect the Medaro pass. Trissa claims that Melgren has already seen the outcome of the battle at Draithus, and it’s a defeat. 

Violet presses Garrrick on why Theophanie wants Bodhi. Garrick doesn’t know, and he says that Thophanie said to bring Violet and “your brother” and they will let Draithus stand. Violet realizes that Theophanie is referring to Xaden’s venin “brother,” who is Jack Barlowe. 

Brennan tells Violet to pick from one of their three objectives in order to decide what to do next. He says that Theophanie knows she will try to save everyone and for that reason, they will fail. Violet says she would like to kill Theophanie. 

Brennan has an idea, and tells Trissa to unlock the armory and retrieve some runes and maorsite arrowheads. He advises Violet to understand that she cannot save everyone and that she cannot stray from her orders. Violet agrees, acknowledging that she will do whatever it takes to save Mira.

Chapter 58

Violet flies with Tairn and several other dragons to the Cliffs of Dralor. She worries that Theophanie has set a trap, and asks Tairn if he thinks she should have accepted Mira’s death as a sacrifice. Tairn does not think this, and believes they have made the right decision. Tairn tells her that Aaric was seen flying south, away from the conflict, which is unusual.

They get to Theophanie, where several wyvern are perched on heavy chains that loop around Teine’s tail, binding his legs and snout, and pinning his wings to his thrashing body. Theophanie hasn’t drained the field around them, but she has beaten Mira severely.

Brennan and Bodhi have accompanied Violet on this mission, and Theophanie says that she did not ask for either of them to attend. Violet says that she asked her for “brothers,” which she has brought. Theophanie says that Violet has not brought the brother that she wanted, and mentions that her fellow venin, Berwyn, will be disappointed. Violet says that Jack Barlowe is on the way, however.

Moments later, Garrick arrives with Jack, who is encapsulated in a Rybestad chest. Violet says that now that she and Jack are both there, the deal has been fulfilled, and to let Mira and Teine go. Theophanie says that this was not the deal, and that they would let Draithus stand, but wouldn’t necessarily let her sister live. She proceeds to slit Mira’s throat.

Chapter 59

Theophanie hurls a dagger at Jack, and her wyvern plucks her off the ground and she flies away. Violet tries to put pressure on Mira’s wound as she bleeds out. Brennan forces his way in to mend Mira. Several of the dragons show up and chase the remaining wyvern away.

Dain and Sloane then arrive, and they decide to use Sloane’s draining powers to infuse Brennan with enough strength to mend Mira. Sloane drains power from Dain and siphons it into Brennan, who is able to mend Mira and save her life.

Meanwhile, the battle has begun over Draithus. Sloane has left behind a package for Violet from Aaric. Bodhi announces they have a problem.

Chapter 60

The issue Bodhi had mentioned is that Teine is unconscious and will not wake. Violet tells Tairn to carry him away. Tairn reluctantly agrees, and orders Violet to not move away from the field they are currently residing in.

Theophanie reappears from behind the carcass of a wyvern. Violet throws a dagger at her, but Theophanie waves it off. She mentions that Bodhi is a venin, and asks if he grows tired of being a less-powerful version of his cousin, Xaden. 

Bodhi is able to summon a storm, but Violet tells him he is not powerful enough to counter Theophanie. She orders Bodhi to leave, and says she can hold out until Tairn returns. At this moment, she realizes that Theophanie is not a lightning wielder, but that she can wield the storms that produce the lightning, instead.

Theophanie then launches a tree at Violet with her powers. Violet dodges it and hides behind it. Theophanie says that if she channels, they will walk away together. 

Working quickly, Violet grabs a maorsite-tipped arrow and launches it at Theophanie. It explodes and knocks her over. Violet then hurls herself at Theophanie and attempts to swing her dagger, but Theophanie catches her arm midway. Violet is still able to stab into Theophanie’s thigh,  however.

Theophanie knees Violet in the stomach and pins her to the ground, telling her that her mother knew at her age that she was no match for herself. She says that’s why she had hid behind those wards. She suggests that Violet should’ve followed her mother’s example. 

Meanwhile, a horde of wyvern cuts north, flying straight into the valley that leads to the Medaro Pass.

Chapter 61

Rhiannon watches over the Medaro pass, relieved that the civilians have not been taken by the squalls. She tells Feirge to have the other dragons form a line to fly for Draithus. She notes that they will face off against seventeen wyvern, while they only have three dragons and four gryphons.

She flies headfirst toward the wyvern with Aotrom and Sliseag at her side. Her dragon, Fierge, bites into a wyvern. Another wyvern attacks from above, and Aotrom flies by in pursuit. Aotrom and Ridoc are nearly incinerated by the wyvern’s green flames, but escape. He returns and uses his ice-wielding signet to freeze the wyvern that attacked them, defeating it.

Rhiannon refocuses on the pass, and sees that seven of the wyvern have gotten through. Cat has one by the throat, as Kira’s talons tear into its scales, while Maren takes aim at another wyvern with her crossbow. She orders the riders to regroup.

Chapter 62

Theophanie holds a dagger up to Violet’s throat, and Violet headbutts her in the nose. She then yanks free and kicks her in the stomach. 

Violet claims that Theophanie is desperate to win her over to her side, since Theophanie said that she is a once-in-a-century lightning wielder. Theophanie says another will come along, and that Violet is not special. 

Theophanie claims that Violet’s love for Xaden makes her weak, and now that she knows Violet is vulnerable, her lessons can begin. Her first lesson is that to survive in their world, Violet must protect the magic that sustains her. She asks Violet if she knows how to keep from being drained as she splays her hand against the ground.

The magic ripples through the ground, and Theophanie says that occupying ground that has already had its magic repurposed creates a barrier, and the easiest solution is to drain it herself. She says that if Violet does so before she gets to her, she will live and keep her love and her power, and even her dragon, if she wishes.

Violet scrambles atop the carcass of a dead Wyvern to protect herself from Theophanie’s magic. Sgaeyl shows up to protect Violet, saying that she has done an excellent job of keeping the Maven occupied. 

She buys enough time for Tairn to return, who says that Teine is quickly recovering under Brennan’s care at the top of the pass. At this point, Theophanie has left, realizing that she is at a disadvantage.

Tairn then tells Violet to look south, where a horde of eleven venin-carrying wyvern are taking to the sky a mile from Draithus’s gates. She and Tairn set course for the wyvern horde as a storm brews over Draithus.

Violet is able to strike several of the wyvern down with her lightning. She and Tairn then target the venin as six of them surge for the city. She is able to strike one of them down, but not any others as a tornado is headed for Draithus. 

Tairn shouts to ground the riot. Molvic emerges from one the valleys to say that an advance party is coming from Zehyllna, and they have landed at the port of Soudra by accident instead of Codryn, and they will be there in less than half an hour. Violet orders Tairn to fly for Theophanie.

Chapter 63

Imogen watches as the storm brews over Draithus. She notes that Bodhi is in trouble. She wonders where Xaden is, because she hasn’t seen a trace of a shadow in the past twenty minutes.

Her dragon, Glane, drags a wyvern out of the sky. Another wyvern attacks, and Imogen is able to stab it with her sword. They descend toward the city, where a blue flame swirls down the spiral tower, courtesy of two wyvern climbing its sides, as fire whips outward while a dark wielder sweeps her staff in a circle from the top of the landmark. Gryphons launch with their fliers toward the threat.

Meanwhile, two venin are headed for Quinn along the city walls. Imogen directs her dragon there and dismounts on the wall, chasing one of the venin down from behind. Dain joins in on the chase. 

The venin pivots, welding flames from his staff. Imogen rips Dain’s shield from his grip to protect them from the flames. Dain then hurls a dagger at the venin and kills him. 

Several more venin show up, and Imogen and Dain split up to take them on. Imogen descends the staircase of one of the towers, looking for Quinn, and runs into another venin. Quinn projects several versions of herself in front of the venin. 

Imogen flings her daggers at the venin while Quinn stabs him as well. The venin collapses at Quinn’s feet, but not before he is able to stab her in the chest. As Quinn is dying, she tells Imogen to tell Jax, her girlfriend, that she loves her. She tells Imogen to tell her parents it was worth it, and that her family will love Imogen. Then, she dies.

Garrick finds Imogen, and tells her that they have to go as the venin are draining the life out of the city walls. She reunites with Glane and tells her dragon to have every rider within the walls to get over to them and disarm, as it’s the only way they are going to live through this.

Chapter 64

Violet and Tairn battle the wind of a slowing tornado as they fly for the mountainside ahead of them. Her conduit shatters from the blunt force of the hail raining down on them. Violet then realizes that Theophanie is killing the storm to make it harder for her to wield. 

Before they can reach Theophanie, who is heading for the city, a giant net falls over them. They crash into the ground, and Violet breaks her arm on impact. Theophanie and her wyvern then glide down to the field near them..

Violet retrieves Aaric’s package from her pocket. There is a note from him that reads “for when you lose yours. Strike in the dark, Violet.” The package contains a dagger. 

There is another note—this one from the high priestess of Dunne’s temple in Aretia—which says the dagger is a gift from one servant of Dunne to another. The note also says that only those touched by the gods should wield their wrath, and that she will pray that Violet need not use the gods’ wrath to avoid reacquainting herself with the other who curries her favor, and that her path is still not set.

Theophanie gloats that she has caught a “pair of them” by the net. At this point, Violet and Tairn realize that she has captured Sgaeyl as well. 

Violet tries to wield her lightning against Theophanie, but she is easily able to dodge it. Violet then asks Theophanie if she doesn’t yearn for the temple. Theophanie asks Violet if she yearns for it, or if she is immune, having only been touched, not dedicated. She asks Violet if she knows the pain of never being allowed to return, knowing that it would sever the very thing that’s kept her untouchable all these years. 

Violet wonders why being high priestess was not enough for Theophanie, and Theophanie responds by asking, “why serve a god when you can be one?”

Suddenly, Xaden’s shadows spread around them, devouring the field in an onyx storm, throwing Theophanie to the ground. Violet realizes at this moment that Xaden has finally reached for his venin powers. 

She also realizes what Aaric’s note meant, “to strike in the darkness.” She infers that Aaric is a precog—a real one, unlike Melgren, who can only see the outcomes of battles. Aaric had foreseen that this would happen, and gave Violet a weapon made of the fractured temple that Theophanie cannot step inside. 

Violet uses the dagger to strike at Theophanie. Theophanie dodges it, but runs into Andarna. Theophanie looks upon Andarna with reverence, and Violet takes that moment to stab her in the heart with the dagger.

Theophanie is shocked, because stone isn’t supposed to kill venin. Violet tells her that she was never just venin, and that Dunne is a wrathful goddess to high priestesses who turn their backs on her. Theophanie then desiccates. Violet succumbs to the fire burning around them.

Chapter 65

Xaden is furious that Sgaeyl has been ensnared, noting the blood dripping upon her scales. Berwyn walks forward to Panchek, who has supposedly been a traitor this entire time. Berwyn stands between Xaden and Sgaeyl, and Xaden cannot kill him because of the bond they share. And now Berwyn has a sibling in Panchek that he can use against Xaden. Xaden decides he cannot let Sgaeyl die.

Berwyn kills Panchek’s dragon with his dagger. He tells Xaden the same thing will happen to his dragon if he doesn’t join him. Xaden reaches for his venin power, and uses his shadows to plant daggers in the chests of two venin who are standing guard. His shadows then drag Berwyn away from Sgaeyl and knocks both him and Panchek unconscious.

Before the venin power completely overtakes him, Xaden’s sends his shadows out over the city, ending every wyvern in the air and on the ground, and releases Sgaeyl from her net. He then sends his shadows over to Violet, knocking Theophanie over and allowing her to kill the maven. 

Xaden is no longer an initiate now, and has become full venin. He tells Sgaeyl that “she’ll help” and that someone owes him a favor.

Sgaeyl says that Tairn will never let him near Violet, especially because she is in a vulnerable state. Sgaeyl says they have completed the wards, but they extend no farther than Draithus. He begs Sgaeyl to persuade Tairn. Sgaeyl says she will ask, and that “her” decision will determine their fate. He then flies away.

Chapter 66

Violet awakens in the courtyard of Riorson house, with Imogen at her side. Brennan rushes to her to see if she’s alright. An officer reports their death toll and that riders that are missing. He says the wards are holding in Draithus, and wonders how many venin desiccations were because of Xaden. He also reports that six eggs are missing from the dragons’ hatching grounds.

Brennan asks Violet if she knows where Xaden is. She learns that Garrick is among some of the missing riders. Violet also notices that there is a ring on her finger, made from the Blade of Aretia. 

She reaches for the bond between her and Xaden, but it is no longer there. Brennan shows her a paper, which is an official blessing of her legal, binding marriage to Xaden by the head priestess of Dunne’s temple. Violet has no memory of this, however. Brennan points to a note on the outside of the paper, in which Xaden has written “don’t look for me. It’s yours now.”

Violet realizes she is missing the past twelve hours of her memory. She asks Imogen what she has done to her, and Imogen says she’s done what Violet asked her to do, apparently having wiped her memory.