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Disclaimer: I have read this book of my own volition.  Any and all opinions and interpretations contained herein are my own.

The Spoiler Report is a recounting of the major events of the novel mixed with my own interpretation of the meaning and symbolism of events, emotions, and actions. Reading this report is NOT a substitute for reading the actual novel and should not be taken as such. Not every single detail, feeling, and event is divulged within. It is essentially a lengthy outline of the story. Many details and all dialogue have not been included. This report is for those who appreciate knowing what happens or feels they may miss things when reading, or just want to have a detailed overview of a book before, during, or after reading.

****THIS REPORT CONTAINS SPOILERS****  

This is not a book review. For the full review of this book please visit HERE.

In the aftermath of the battle at the end of Iron Flame, Violet follows Xaden after he sneaks out of their room at night. The story re-visits the end of Iron Flame as Xaden goes to see Jack for information on what he’s becoming.

Adarna and Violet are determined to find a cure for Xaden.

2 Weeks Later.

Violet and Tairn patrol as they and others have been doing, looking for venin. Tairn believes Xaden is a lost cause.

Tensions between Navarrians and Aretians are at an all-time high. Any unity forged during the battle is gone.

Imogen meets the squad as they return from patroling, needing to talk to Violet alone. Imogen knows the truth about Xaden and Violet’s determination to cure him. While they were out patrolling, Imogen talked with Garrick and Bohdi. They all agree Violet and Xaden shouldn’t be sharing a bed. Not that they believe either of them care what they think or will listen to their advice. Violet confirms Xaden doesn’t know they are using the upcoming mission to locate Andarna’s kind as an opportunity to also find a cure for for him. On the other hand, Xaden doesn’t want to know needing to maintain plausible deniability.

While Violet joins the rest of her squad as they visit Sawyer in the infirmary while he continues to recover from his amputation.  They are faced with a chilling revelation. Little to no venin have been found during patrols because they have all been inside, waiting. The squad goes into action at the first hint of trouble. Every bed in the infirmary already has a desiccated body in it by the time they get there.

Violet tries to reach down the bond to Xaden, but his mental shields are solid. Rhiannon, Violet, and Ridoc investigate the venin attack. Discovering they disguised themselves as Scribes to freely walk around hidden in plain sight. They follow more screams, finding more venin trying to free Jack. They don’t try to kill Violet, they need her too. Shadows fill the brig as the rest of the venin are taken care of.  As the shadows receded, Xaden and Garrick stand unharmed.

In a rare moment alone, Xedan allows Violet in. He clearly doesn’t trust himself not to channel. Sgaeyl isn’t even talking to him, with good reason. Violet tries to convince him he isn’t one of them, a dark wielder, that he hasn’t changes. Xaden quickly demonstrates that he may still be himself, for now, but he is also part venin even if his eyes don’t always show it. Their moment is interrupted. Violet has a meeting with the Senarium – alone.

The council quickly informs Violet she is now part of a task force whose purpose is to seek and recruit the seventh dragon breed; Andarna’s breed. Violet attempts to prove the weight of her worth, having had time to prepare for this meeting. The Senarium doesn’t want to be told anything and forces Violet back into her place as a cadet. She is there to serve their needs, not the other way around.

Upon leaving the meeting that completely railroaded her, Lewellen hands her a missive from Tecarus, reminding her she has only three days left.

In the morning, Violet is pleasantly surprised by Xaden’s affections. Before they get to involved in one another, Xaden has to stop himself, too overwhelmed. He may not hurt Violet, but he was on the verge of losing control.

Finishing getting ready for the day, Brennan, Garrick, Lewellen, Bohdi, and Imogen come to get Xaden.

To Violet’s great relief, Mira shows up with a new conduit for Violet. She also brought a handy runed trinket that allows her, Violet, Imogen, and Bohdi to talk freely about the negotiations with the Senarium.

Brennan breaks up the party to get Violet and Mira moving. Up until now, Mira didn’t know Violet was part of the group that was going to be sent to search for the seventh breed. She does not take the news well. Even though they need all seven breeds to power the wardstone, Mira is still adamant against Violet going. And even though the wardstones have only six months of juice left, Mira is not optimistic.

Violet, Rhi, and Ridoc wait for news as gossip begins to spread throughout the room. The only ones the gossip is not spreading to are Aretian. It isn’t until Sloane and Baylor come to tell Violet personally. First Wing is forcing a challenge upon a tail Section flier at knife point. This act could be the end of all talks of peace. Since a wing leader is orchestrating the challenge, they need another wing leader to try and stop it. Violet recruits Dain.

It’s Navarrian versus Aretian with no leadership present. Violet pulls Cat away to try and calm things down while Dain steps up as the authority present, just as the Codex dictates. Aura doesn’t feel the riders have earned their place like those who attend Basgiath and crossed the parapet. Just as Kai accepts the challenge, Dain makes his move and disarms Aura. That only causes more tensions and weapons to be drawn since Dain is still seen as a deserter. Dain stays his hand, opting for words over blades.

Unconvinced, Aura challenges Dain, Her fire-wielding against his memory-wielding. Andarna keeps reminding Violet that Dain is not the strongest signet. Violet steps in as the strongest signet wielder. Showcasing her power while reminding everyone the truth of their situation. Highlighting the lies they have been fed. She’s on the precipice as three professors finally arrive, putting everything in perspective. Informing them classes and routine resume in the morning; for all of them.

As everyone disperses, Xaden, Lewellen, Brennan, and Mira wait to speak with Violet and Aaric. Prince Halden, Aaric’s brother, has joined the negotiations. He is also joining Violet’s mission. They also tell Violet which of Andarna’s demands were agreed upon. All who flew to Aretia are granted a full pardon. Andarna refuses to be submitted tfor testing. So far, the alliance has failed.

Once alone, Xaden reveals he was given something he didn’t want while being a venin.  He is in the middle of making Violet promise to stop him from losing himself when Garrick barges in, coming to collect Xaden. The thing that was given to Xaen was his title and a seat on the Senarium as well as the right to speak for Aretia and Tyrrendor. Xaden is now officially the Duke of Tyrrendor. Violet is even more motivated to find a cure. Even at the prospect of treason.

Violet, Rhiannon, Bohdi, Imogen, Quinn, and Maren begin their clandestine quest. Beginning with springing Sawyer out of the Healers Quadrant without anyone noticing. They need metallurgy powers. The first hitch in the plan, Mira is the one on guard duty. She knew Violet was up to something. She doesn’t try to stop them. Instead, Mira ushers them into the chamber housing the wardstone. Brennan is already in there.  So far, it looks as though there plan is working. Altering the wardstone so the fliers can wield but the venin still cannot.  The accord allowing the riot to stay should now be signed.

Violet asks Maren for one last favor to ensure they don’t get tried for treason.

The next morning, Battle Brief resumes with Devera. Before class can really get underway, Devera is informed negotiations for an alliance are being, well, negotiated. Earlier that morning, Cat told her uncle the fliers now have the ability to wield within the wards. With that out of the way, Devera tackles structure.

In the middle of it all, Colonel Aetos, Dain’s father, bursts into the room and accuses Violet of high treason against Navarre. Going peacefully with him, Violet notices Aetos has been promoted to General.

General Aetos escorts Violet to the Senarium, ultimately conforming their plan worked, the dark wielders are still unable to wield, but everyone else can. Violet admits she was the mastermind. Also taking credit for the now signed alliance. Along with signing the alliance, the Senarium also signed the pardon as part of Andarna’s demands. There is no action that can be taken against Violet. The pardon now including her actions with the wardstone the night before.

That is when Queen Maraya makes her presence known. She heard of the deal Violet made with the Viscount Tecarus for the use of his library. The queen has a better one that Violet now has unfettered access to.

After leaving the Senarium, Aetos threatens Violet. Confirming he will be taking Violet’s mother’s place by appointment of the king. Violet threatens him right back. She has embraced her true worth as a person and rider. Aetos knows she is right, so he threatens her friends. Immediately telling Rhi that every second year under her command will now begin serving at the front. Now that Aetos is the Commanding General, he is the only one that can make that order.

Almost a full day later, Violet and the rest of the squad report in at Samara. Degrensi isn’t too thrilled Aetos is now Commanding General. Regardless, he allows the squad know fighting in Samara ended yesterday. Even so, he wouldn’t have sent these cadets into the thick of it. He doesn’t care why Aetos sent cadets, he’s not a babysitter.

After they rest, the squad is to help wherever they can.

Violet wakes from a nightmare, surrounded by her squad mates in Xaden’s warded room at Samara. Emerging from the room, they find out Newhall is under attack. Due to its size  and circumstances, nothing is being done to save it. The squad decides this is where they can be useful..

Violet and Tairn fly ahead of the rest. As soon as they reach the town, the have a run in with three wyvern. After defeating them, Violet realizes it’s a trap as soon as they spot the creator. More wyvern approach. Violet and Tairn are caught in a tornado that slams them into the side of a mountain. The bond with Tairn goes dark. Neither Violet nor Andarna can feel him. As they free fall, Violet prepares herself for her own death believing that Tairn is dead.

Garrick reaches them as they crash to the ground. Violet feels Tairn just enough to realize he’s only knocked out. Violet’s patella is dislocated. She insists the rest of the squad check for Maren’s family in the burning town. Violet questions Garrick who should have been with Xaden, hours away. When Xaden had heard Violet was once again running head first into danger, he became unhinged. Garrick had never seen Xaden so out of control – very unlike himself.

Interrupting their conversation, the silver-haired venin approached. She introduces herself as Theophanie. She wants a conversation; a question for a question. Theophanie wants to know which dragon chose to bond with Violet first, quickly identifying Andarna as an irid scorpiontail.

Through the bond Violet demands Andarna return to the wards. Theophaine is clearly there for her, not just Violet. Theophanie also knows about Xaden, claiming it’s only a matter of time before he succumbs to his venin side. Because of their bond, Violet will too. Theophanie looks forward to gaining Violet and her dragons.

The venin revealed Garrick has a second signet to Violet and vice versa. Violet urges Garrick to leave before the rest of the squad arrives, exposing his ability he clearly meant to keep quiet.

Brennan and Xaden are waiting for Violet as she returns. Xaden is more than angry at Violet for crossing into Poromiel. Garrick races into the room while Brennan takes care of Violet’s injured knee. Xaden glowers, pleading Violet’s case.

The rest of the squad, including Maren’s younger brothers they were able to save from the venin attack. Aetos also comes barging in, accusing them of disobeying his direct order by returning early. Lt. Colonel Degrensi at Samara sent them home.

The entire squad proudly takes responsibility for their actions. Aeots, needing to be right, parades his inflated ego around. Insists Maren’s brothers need to go since the borders are still closed. Xaden casually informs Aetos they are now Tyrrendor citizens. Aetos retaliates by reminding Xaden that because of his position, he is no longer welcomed in the quadrant. Nor is he encouraged to fraternize with cadets. Aetos will not budge, determined to make Violet suffer by keeping her and Xaden separated. As a final slap in the face, Aetos leaves with the excuse of having to move into Brennan and Violet’s mom’s old office.

With the Commanding General gone and Violet mainly healed, Xaden demands everyone leave. Once alone, Xaden physical and emotionally shows Violet how terrified he was when he found out what her and her squad were up to. Violet shares her compassion and optimism toward the situation. She also shares what happened between her and Theophanie that didn’t make her official report.

With all classes resumed, except for history, things back into routine. Violet receives a letter from Xaden. Deciphering his careful wording, Violet is able to understand the meaning of the letter. Xaden needs to recover, locked away because he slipped and needs to wait until his eyes reurn to normal.

Imogen and Violet visit Jack in his cell, getting desperate for answers. Giving him two choices; cooperate and she’ll leave him with enough power to feed him for a week, or he can have the mercy of death. Jack answers her four questions. Though his answers do not provide Violet any comfort.

Violet, Rhi, Ridoc, and Sawyer go to see Jesinia who was recently removed from the adept program as punishment for choosing Aretia. She is now, conveniently, under Grady and aiding Violet in her research to find Andarna’s kind.

The journals Violet’s father kept would have some of the answers they need. But they are hidden in her mom’s old office. The one that now belongs to Aetos.

During Battle Brief, all the students receive a compendium on venin to better prepare them for battle. Including three more classes, one being taught by Xaden.

Before approaching Professor Riorson, Violet talks with Dain about retrieving her father’s research journals.

Xaden requests an exemption to the rule stating his relationship with Violet is forbidden now that he is a professor. Aetos, of course, denies his request, reminding Xaden exactly how he feels about him. Especially when he believes Xaden is the one who ultimately killed Varrish. Violet sets the General straight on that matter.

As she leaves, Dain walks her to class, telling her that his father will be gone next week. Giving them an opportunity to get her father’s research.

Stuck in a meeting, trying to figure out where to start their quest, Grady and a few others have already assembled for reasons Violet cannot understand. Xaden interrupts, informing the squad that he is now part of it since Sgaeyl and Tairn can’t be separated that long. Introductions are made. No one is special and neither Xaden or Violet trust any of them. Especially Aura.

Despite logic, Grady is determined to fly north first.

Signet Sparring begins under Xaden’s tutelage. Some third years doubt Xaden’s ability to teach. He quickly quells their bitter doubts by easily defeating Loran. Once without the use of his shadows and once with. He continues his victories until Violet is the last one left. Encouraging her to use their bond to track him amidst the darkness of his shadows. Pointing out that she is the only one that has the advantage to kill him. Especially when the time comes.

The squad, including Sawyer, are at a pub rehashing Signet Sparring and Xaden’s abilities. Their talk of gods and worship is interrupted by Dain requesting to speak with Violet alone. He is convinced it its too risky to take her along when he gets the journals from his father’s office. He wants Violet to trust him to get it by himself and deliver it to her. With some reservations, Violet agrees.

Sloane pulls Violet away, taking her to the library, handing her a satchel of tomes from Jesinia. Explaining her awkwardness toward Violet where there doesn’t need to be any. Violet doesn’t blame Sloane for her actions surrounding her mother’s death. She agrees that what transpired was the lesser of two evils and would make the same decisions given a second chance.

Back in her room, alone, Violet opens the satchel and finds Dain came through. He found her father’s journal.  Her excitement is short lived as she finds that the research is locked by a very fool proof mechanism that will take time and thought to crack.

Signet Sparring is packed this time. Instead of going against Xaden, Garrick will be the teacher as Xaden observes. Violet’s squad agrees to face Garrick as a unit instead of one-on-one, knowing that is their strength. As the squad beats him, their victory is cut short as Prince Halden joins the class. Aaric needs to be  hidden as Halden takes a seat in the front to watch.  Sitting next to him, Violet notices one of his guards, Anna Winshire, is one of those chosen for the quest squad. Not good.

Turning her attention to the prince, Violet asks what he is doing there. After a short quip of bitter banter, Halden hands her a missive from Viscount Tecarus. Violet has been granted one meeting with King Courtlyn provided she meets a few requirements.

Halden, in his own way, is willing to help. He still has a soft spot for his ex.

The prince is thrown back by a battering ram of shadows, Openly, Xaden apologizes for the unfortunate mishap. Leaning into Halden, Xaden stakes his claim on Violet and warns the prince.

Back in Violet’s room, Rhi sits with her as she enters what she believes to be the password to her father’s research journal. Rhi is on stand by and ready to use her signet if Violet is wrong.

She is not wrong.

A History of the Second Krovlan Uprising. It begins with a letter to Violet. Rhi leaves to give her some space to be with her father. The letter is a warning, a reminder, and instructions.

Relaying the information to Tairn and Andarna, they all agree to follow her father’s instructions and fly to Deverelli. Not following Grady north and splitting the squad up.

Xaden shows up at her door, clearly affected by Halden’s visit during his class. He didn’t know Violet had been in a relationship with the prince at one point. He forces Violet to admit she loved him, at least what she believed was love at the time. He doesn’t find any relief in that knowledge. Especially since the prince will be going with the quest squad.

Unable to stop himself, Xaden devours Violet until he is on the brink. Begging her to distract him by talking while he comes back from the edge. Calming herself, she tells him of her father’s letter. Of course he fully supports Violet, completely trusting her.

The quest squad flies past Samara and finally makes it out to Anca, a place venin have already drained of magic. Grady and Mira butt heads on how to proceed once they’re on the ground. Mira is clearly better suited to lead. Grady concedes to go the direction she suggests, begrudgingly.

Half the squad still doesn’t trust the other half.

They locate the house they’re looking for. Grady and the other officers go inside while the rest patrol and keep an eye out. Aura is too on edge keeping watch. Allowing fear to best her. They have all been ordered not to wield. It would be like beacon and attract any venin to the abandoned town.

Just as Mira announces they found the citrine they were searching for, a door opens across the way revealing a figure. Out of fear and instinct, Aura, the fire-wielder, wields. Violet tries to stop her but is too late. Captain Grady is on the receiving end of Aura’s hasty attack and it burning alive.

The surrounding houses have also caught fire. Violet tries to smother the flames engulfing Grady. Xaden pulls her back, Grady is gone. Mira tells Xaden to use his shadows to stop the flames but there is not enough magic. Because of the wind the fire cannot be stopped.

The squad races to the town square, the only place big enough for their dragons to pick them up.  Tairn warns that there are also wyvern around. Violet tries to stop Aura from bursting out into the square to meet her dragon. She refuses to listen, rushes out and get impaled by a wyvern claw.

Instead of swooping down to pick up Xaden, Sgaeyl goes after the wyvern. Violet demands Tairn pick up both her and Xaden. Using his shadows, he binds Violet to himself as Tairn picks him up. Sgaeyl is in pursuit of the second wyvern. Violet wields, helping Sgaeyl take it down.

Safely back, Mira gets Xaden and Violet alone, handing over the citrine along with a piece of parchment addressed to Violet. A note left by Theophanie with the gem. Clearly, she is one step ahead of them.

Violet exhausts every resource preparing herself to present before the Senarium. Ridoc begs her to try and persuade them to allow him to join the quest squad. He is adamant that one of her squad needs to go with her. He’s been doing his own preparations, honing his signet to become lethal.

Violet takes Ridoc into the meeting with her. Mira is absent. Halden begins anyway. With Grady gone, command is being passed down to Henson. Violet goes over the schedule and plan that they have devised. She stands up to them as Mira joins, immediately ready to support her sister. Aetos and Markham attempt to put Violet in here place. But she knows her worth. Halden is inclined to entertain Violet taking command with stipulations and consequences of course.

The quest squad lands at Tecarus’s estate to rest until the next leg of their journey. Speaking with Violet and Xaden, who are at the insistence of Halden, is there as a duke and not a professor. The Viscount insists that Halden cannot arrive to see the king riding in  basket carried by gryphons. Halden never attended the war college, he is not a rider  nor a flyer.

Tecarus will take Halden by ship, the riders and fliers will follow. Tecarus also warns them about King Courtlyn.

Traveling along the coast, Violet reconciles the loss of her magic the farther they fly out. It’s more jarring for the dragons. That also means Tairn’s connection with the others is cut off. As well as her connection to Xaden. For some reason Violet’s connection to Tairn and Andarna still remains.

They land at Tecarus’s place on the coast. Xaden remains on the beach to bask in the view and revel in the peacefulness the absence of magic is bringing him.

Since the king will only tolerate a meeting with Halden, the rest are free to head into Deverelli on horseback. Something not every rider is accustomed. Xaden is so at ease and relaxed, it throws the rest of the squad for a loop.

They track down the merchant shop from her father’s letter. Violet takes Xaden, Dain, and Mira inside with her. As soon as Violet mentions Narelle, they are attacked. Their attackers are no match for the four riders. Quelling the situation, Violet correctly singles out Narelle who identifies Violet as Asher Sorrengail’s daughter come to collect the books he wrote for her. Those who attacked the riders are Narelle’s grand children. They have taken the task of protecting the books very seriously.

In his letter, Asher told his daughter to take the most precious thing she has to Deverelli in order to collect his writings. Violet discovers it is her mind. Narelle asks three questions testing Violet’s most precious thing. One of Violet’s answers reveals a deal involving the trade of dragons gone wrong in the past.  Also showing that at some point her father stopped trusting Dain’s father.

Narelle’s last question is is why Violet dumped Prince Halden when the crown was within her reach. A reason not even Dain was privy.

Having passed the test, they leave the bookshop with six passcode-locked tomes.

Back at Tecarus’s, Violet and Xaden finally get to enjoy each other after six long weeks. While the absence of magic has everyone on edge, it does have is other advantages. Xaden is in no danger of channeling.

Their plan to spend the night making up for the last six weeks is dashed when the rest of the squad appears at their door. King Courtlyn has decided to keep Halden. Xaden is the only other aristocrat who will be given an audience with the king.

Violet and Xaden land to a hostile welcome. Once Xaden introduces himself and his consort, the two are led inside. They are invited to sit at the young king’s table.

Halden had apparently offered the king the Sword of Aretia as part of their deal, something that does not belong to the prince, but Xaden. King Courtlyn is not pleased to say the least.

Three white panthers stalk toward them, the king’s pets. Xaden continues the negotiations Halden failed. Before proceeding, Courtlyn has servants reveal what is presumed to be dessert hidden under silver domes.  On one platter lies an enormous slab of raw beef. On another lies the head of Anna Winshire, Halden’s personal guard. She was found in the king’s treasury with a list of items to retrieve written by Halden. The prince claims those items belong to him and his family, Courtlyn claimed them through trade deals. Halden, who was likely orchestrating those trades, doesn’t see the king as honest and challenges him and his obvious betrayal. Xaden is quick to announce the dissolution of the relationship with the prince. He forges ahead to broker a deal between Courtlyn and Tyrrendor.

Halden throws a royal hissy fit. Courtlyn is over the theatrics and orders all but Tecarus to be killed. Xaden and Violet hold their own. Once again Courtlyn is bored and orders more guards after the first are defeated. Outnumbered and enraged to a degree Violet has never seen before, Xaden uses the energy from Violet’s conduit to power his signet, killing all the guards. Exhausting the conduit to be able to tap into his venin abilities.

Violet takes charge needing to shield Xaden from being discovered. She continues the negotiations, Andarna joining as her ‘pet’. Now being taken seriously as having some sort of authority.

Violet sends Xaden away, promising to meet him in Basgiath in a week.

Courtlyn agrees to Violet’s terms.  As compensation for Haldens actions, Violet offers the king the shells pieces of Andarna’s egg. Courtlyn accepts as long as Halden never steps foot on his isle again. Agreement brokered, Courtlyn is intrested in another trade, her and Xaden’s service in exchange for weapons.

Xaden still hadn’t returned after a week. Violet is working herself to exhaustion. During Signet Sparring, all her squad, Dain, Garrick, Imogen, Bohdi, and now the first years are pouring through books hoping to find anything. Going over maps and weather patterns, Rhi devises a route the quest squad can take in and around the islands. This sparks quite the debacle once they realize it will take longer than the five months the Senarium has alloted.

Xaden appears, eyes clear. But Violet’s attention snags on the color a moment before getting distracted by the relief of having their bond back. It isn’t until Bohdi interrupts that Violet notices the amber in Xaden’s eyes. A color that hadn’t been there before.

The ongoing debate over route and travel time is still going after Professor Riorson leaves. Having to report to the Senarium between trips is the crux of the problem. Andarna ensures Violet has the Empyrean’s support whatever she decides to do. Tairn is quiet. Violet knows what they must do, obey direct orders, leave as soon as possible and don’t return until they find the seventh breed.

Bohdi recognizes that this is a extreme plan, even for Violet. She privately shares what she has noticed about Xaden’s eyes to him. He hands over a vial of serum and antidote to Violet, just in case they don’t find a cure in time. Their conversation is interrupted as a second year is getting pelted by fire in the sparring ring. Professor Carr demands the girl protect herself and wield. On her hands and knees, the cadet panics, channeling and turning venin in front of everyone. Professor Carr doesn’t hesitate as she kills the girl immediately.

After ten days of preparation, the quest squad is ready to leave. Trager and Maren have been added. The truth about their plans have been hidden from Halden who notices everyone’s bags are unusually bulky for what he believes is a short trip.

Xaden, arriving with Garrick who is taking Bohdi’s place, explains away the packs while putting Halden in his place. Halden’s posturing is interrupted as Molvic lands beside Xaden as Dain approaches with Aaric at his side. Violet pleads with both of them not to do this. Aaric doesn’t want to do this, but knows how detrimental his brother’s temperament can be to the continent. Violet understands and supports him. Time to reveal one truth to Halden.

Xaden is all too happy to tell Halden his presence is no longer needed. The prince takes it quite well for him. With Aaric joining, no gryphon will agree to carry Halden in his basket.

Eight days later, they land, settling into a clearing. Alone, Mira tells Violet she went to see their grandmother that Violet doesn’t recall ever meeting.  But Mira doesn’t tell her the reason her parents cut communication with Grandma Niara. Insisting she can ask the woman herself one day.

As the sky begins to lighten the next morning, Tairn demands Violet to wake. A man leans over her and Xaden snuggled under a blanket. They prove that they don’t need their bond to work in tandem. Holding the man at knife point, Tairn relays that two full cavalries wait in the hills and it’s not just this soldier and his two dozen men that pose a threat.

Five other squad mates hold lurking soldiers off with blades. Xaden makes his official request to see the queen. The soldier that seems to be in charge doesn’t deem them worthy and denies the request. It’s at that moment the dragons make themselves known, scaring the soldiers enough to make a deal. Half may go to see the queen. Violet chooses Aaric, Cat, Xaden, and herself. Instructing Mira to burn the place down if they’re not back by nightfall.

They take them to a plaza temple to fulfill their challenge. Blue-robed attendants enter after them. Every single one of them has silver hair. It isn’t until a young girl in a blue tunic runs by that Violet freezes. The girl’s hair is brunette with silver tips, just like Violet’s. The first she has ever seen like hers.

They are then met by an older general and high priestess. As three large, possible opponents appear, Aaric reveals he speaks fluent Unnbrish.

Xaden prepares to face his huge opponent, the priestess approaches the rest of the squad talking enigmatically. Especially to Violet. Eventually she decides Dain and Violet will be fighting alongside Xaden. It’s agreed upon that the six of them will use daggers as their only weapons.

From the corner of her eye, Violet spots Andarna, camouflaged.

Dain, Xaden, and Violet face their assigned opponents. Violet draws blood first against the woman she fights. Marlis, her opponent, is quick to retaliate. Violet pins Marlis as Andarna yells that Dain is already unconscious.

Under her, Marlis messes with Violet, refuseing to yield. Xaden is struggling. Marlis is hedging her bet on Violet letting her up to help Xaden. Instead, Violet throws her dagger, hitting Costa in the shoulder, giving Xaden the opening he needs.

Violet feels the charge in the air as a the storm building around them changes. Lightning crashes around them. Marlis yields soon after Xaden renders Costa unconscious. The quest squad has won besting two out of three. Even though their laws require only one match, not three.

Composing themselves, an attendant lets Marlis’s identity slip, she is the Queen of Unnbriel. Violet, being the one that bested her, has gained an audience with her. Marlis confirms they haven’t seen a dragon in centuries. When Violet asks about the possibilities of Unnbriel becoming allies, one of Marlis’s responses is needing an explanation as to how Violet caused the lightning to strike when she did.  This island has no magic either. But the lightning did destroy a 700-year-old carving. Violet reminds the queen of the absence of magic; it wasn’t her doing.

Instead of becoming allies, Marlis agree they may use Unnbriel as a place to hunt and rest during their journey. The price for them to become allies is the same as the rest of the isles, they want dragons. She wants 12 eggs so that she can mold and sculpt the dragons as she sees fit.

After a much needed rest, the squad lands on Hedotis. Andarna immediately voices her distaste for the isle. Since Hedotis is built around knowledge, Violet is the most hopeful that she’ll find a cure for Xaden here.

Six people dressed impeccably approach the group; the welcoming committee. One of them, Fairs, it part of the elected triumvirate they have come to see.

Faris introduces his wife, Talia, a woman recognizes as his mother.

At Faris and Talia’s home, where the squad is staying, Xaden is avoiding his mother. She is desperately trying to convince Violet to help her speak with her son. She agrees dinner could be a good start.

Joining Xaden on the veranda, he found the vials in Violet’s jacket. He appreciates that she has them. Xaden immediately dismisses the possibility of having dinner with his mother and her husband. He has other things in mind to occupy his time.

Violet stops his advances, there are more important matters at hand. Namely dinner with his mother. Violet supports whatever he decides. With the grief of loosing her own mother still so fresh, she knows she is too biased to help him decide what to do. Xaden confesses the circumstances surrounding his mother’s abandonment, and also understands why people turn venin. It’s not just about power, it’s also about numbing out all emotion, the pain of life.

In his heightened emotional state, Xaden demands Sgaeyl go hunt. Clearly unhappy about the command, she goes anyway. Nearly stepping on one of the two young boys that rushed out of the house to see the dragon. The boys are fine, just overly excited about having dragons so close. Their mother, Talia, comes out to corral them back inside.

Xaden and Violet watch the exchange from the veranda, Xaden slips further away from Violet. Stoically, Xaden agrees to dinner.

Violet tells Andarna to follow the boys and keep watch over them as they are sent away for the evening. Violet is forming a plan.

Mira goes with Violet to tell Talia that six of them will be joining for dinner, including Xaden. Violet also gives Talia some arinmint from the medkit Brennan sent.  Talia has it made into tea to serve for dinner.

Nairi, Roslyn, and Faris, the three that make up the triumvirate are in attendance for dinner. For this is the test to deem their worthiness. Talia insisted on the informal setting, hoping to garner some favor with Xaden. The questions begin simply. Pertaining to the bond between dragons and their riders. Cat speaks to the bond forged between gryphon anf their fliers.

Nairi points out Cat’s potential to rule Poromiel, wondering why there aren’t more arranged marriages. Aaric cuts in, probably hoping to shut Nairi down. She is only disappoint in the prince. Her attention turns to Xaden and the news of his recently returned title. Duke, not prince, he reminds Nairi. But it also means other news easily reaches the isle. Such as the execution of Xaden’s father. Talia knew about the rebellion and still did nothing to reach her son.

Talia tries to defend Xaden’s choice to not enter into an arranged marriage. Xaden doesn’t believe it’s anyone’s business. Cat is juust plain annoyed and spills the truth about her and Xaden’s failed contract. Defending his choice to be with Violet, highlighting their strengths together.  Nairi doesn’t agree.

It’s then that Violet realizes the test is not to measure their intelligence but dissect their life choices.

Faris supplies a solution to Xaden and Cat’s obvious foolishness. A contract lasting only a few years, long enough for the two of them to produce a Tyrrendor heir with Poromish blood. Garrick points out the obvious flaw in the assumption that bloodlines equate to alliances.

The triumvirate ignores Garrick and continues to make more plans, wishing to draw up a contract as soon as possible. To everyone’s shock, Xaden agrees the papers should be drawn up, but not for a few years time, but for a lifetime.  Making certain they know how to spell Violet’s name correctly for the contract.

Addressing the triumvirate, trying to show them the err in their wisdom. Talia goes onto convince Xaden that sacrificing a few years is worth an alliance and access to their knowledge. Xaden doesn’t hold back laying into his mother. Proving she had choices but only chose to save herself.

Nairi is not impressed by the outburst. Mira is quick to prove how duplicitous the ‘interview’ really was. That they had no intention of sharing or aligning themselves. Nairi is impressed with Mira’s speech. Calmly asking what she thinks of their city. Mira turns to Violet to answer. She is brutally honest and accusatory.

Aaric takes over from there. He is the least impressed with the entire isle and its triumvirate. He may be the ranking royal, but it’s not his mission. His speech has won over Roslyn. Mira secured Nairi. Faris is still holding out.

A server interrupts, imploring about dessert. Nairi and Roslyn squirm in their seats with indigestion, unsure if they are able to handle sweets. The servants bring out pieces of chocolate cake, Xaden’s favorite. Made from chocolate Talia has been hording for weeks.

The pieces begin to fall in place for Violet. Queen Marlis knew what had transpired in Deverelli. Talia knew Xaden was coming and was able to prepare.

Faris is more shrewd, Violet reminds herself.

As dessert is served, four forks are missing, those belonging to the triumvirate and Talia. Mira has already had a bite and Garrick’s is half gone by the time Violet yells for everyone to stop eating. Garrick collapses onto the table, not breathing.

Talia is completely unaware of what her husband had planned. Faris is proud of the results of his test. Talia is horrified. Violet analyzes the smell of the cake and Garrick’s symptoms, combing through her knowledge. Faris is smug, provoking Violet as the violent thug he believes her to be. It is at this moment that she reveals her own deception.  

Violet has sentenced the entire triumvirate to a very painful death. Nairi and Roslyn showcase the first symptoms of their end.

Violet quizzes Faris’s knowledge of arinmint, why it’s illegal to export it. Faris’s arrogance keeps him from agreeing to an antidote swap. Trager and Drake rush in. Violet is appalled Faris would sacrifice his life and his wife’s before losing.

The rest of the riders and fliers enter into the chaos. Under Violet’s orders, Mira takes over everything outside of keeping Garrick alive. Placing Cordella, Cat, Maren, and herself around the house, locking it down.

Violet takes Ridoc to hunt down the cook who tries to stand up to Violet and fails. She leaves him for defeated. As soon as she figures out what he was ordered to put in the cake, the cooks comes at her with a knife. Violet dodges it, Ridoc does not. Fortunately the cook is no warrior and only catches the outer layers of clothing.

As they reach the dining hall, Dain brings violet her father’s book which has the antidote for Garrick. She sets everyone in motion. Garrick will be okay. That small relief gives Xaden enough space to focus on what Faris had planned to do not only to Garrick, but to Violet. He attacks Faris, allowing the venin in him to take over. Violet talks him down. She then orders everyone to get ready to leave.  Violet show Faris how arrogant he is, besting him in his own house. Using Andarna’s position, watching over his sons, as the final threat.

Faris agrees to her terms and drinks the antidote.

Xaden leaves without so much as a glance toward his mother.

As the quest squad reaches Zehgllna, they are greeted by very enthusiastic people who have clearly been expecting them.  Andarna appreciates the change. Tairn and Violet are usettled by it. As soon as they land, they can detect that there is magic present. Not nearly enough to wield but enough for the bonds to have restored themselves. Including the one between Xaden and Viloet.

Through the bond, Xaden makes Violet agree to another promise. She refuses. Their conversation is interrupted as Calixta, mistress of festivities, approaches with a large object. Dain painfully tries to speak with her in Zehglish. Aaric, of course, speaks it fluently. Fortunately Calixta speaks common tongue.

Because of Courtlyn, they have been expecting them for weeks. Calixta marvels over Andarna, showing her deep respect. They revere dragons and gryphons.

The squad will be able to see the queen once they play a game where they must graciously accept whatever gift Zihal chooses for them, without complaint. If they do not openly accept what luck gives you or takes away, they will not trust them.  There isn’t enough magic for Xaden to discover the hidden trick in the rest.

The large object turns out to be a megaphone Calixta uses to announce to the gathered the audience; the quest squad has agreed to play. She settles at a table and chair a few attendants bring out. From a canvas bag she produces a stack of cards, each one representing a gift.

Mira receives a bottle of wine. Maren, two orange tunics. Dain gets slapped across the face. Garrick, a rusty bucket. Aaric, a fractured mirror that cuts his thumb.  Xaden, a large, empty, glass and pewter box. Violet, a broken compass. Ridoc receives a kiss on each cheek from a blond man. Cat, a necklace with a large ruby pendant. Drake, a small orange kitten. And Trager gets shot in the heart by an arrow.

Down the bond, Xaden begs Violet not to react to Trager’s death,  it could ruin everything. Drake is holding Cat back, muffling her screams. Trager’s gryohon dies shortly after.

Composing herself, Violet thanks Calixta.

With negotiations done and alliances secured, they see to Trager and Sila’s bodies. They decide how to proceed. Violet struggles with the pressures of leadership. Xaden reminds her she never had a choice from the moment Tairn chose her during Threshing. He is the general of dragons, meant to take charge.

Xaden is adamant Violet own her inner strength, convinced in the end, there will only be Violet to take over.

Landing on a small, uninhabited micro-isle to dispose of Trager and Silas, they find more magic. They prepare and burn the bodies. The following morning they try to make sense of the map and the path ahead of them. Seems they have landed on an island part of a chain that has yet to be mapped. Violet splits everyone into pairs in order to effectively scout the large smattering of islands,

Violet and Ridoc stay behind to monitor the last of the funeral pyre, allowing Andarna another hour of rest.

Ridoc is in the forest changing into some dry clothes when the ground begins to shutter around Violet. Fresh dragon track appear around Violet. While standing guard over the sleeping Andarna, six irids appear before Violet. She is able to hear them the same way she hears Tairn and Andarna. Ridoc joins her as Andarna wakes. Who can also hear the irids.

The irids realize Andarna is the criterian and react before Tairn lands. Aotrom joins the party. The irids wish to speak only with Andarna; Violet is given the privilege of listening in.  They are cuious about Andarna’s scorpion tail. The six are all feathertails.

All the dragons, including Tairn and Aotrom lie down as Andarna begins her life’s story. Even Ridoc and Violet make themselves comfortable. None of the irids seem to understand bonding with humans. They don’t live with any.

After Andarna finishes her stoy, the six confere. Only three remain to tell Andarna that it wasn’t her that was being tested. Violet was and she failed.  Blaming Violet for manipulating and using Andarna, causing permanent damage to her wing and turning Andarna into a weapon. Not a good thing. Irids are born for peace. They had left Andarna behind to monitor and report. Hoping humnas worked things out and settled peacefully under the protection of the wardstone.

They fully blame Violet for selfishly molding Andarna, so they will not help. They also reveal that there is no cure for the venin. They have traded their souls for power one piece at a time and there is no cure for death like that.

Xaden and Garrick arrive. Violet fills them in.

The irids disown Andarna, disgusted by what she has become. They leave, but not before outing Xaden’s condition to Ridoc. Violet tells him a condensed version before the others begin to land. Filling the rest of the squad in on what happened, Ridoc only shares about the irids.

It is decided they should return home.

Violet and Ridoc take a sound shield into the forest to hunt for dinner as an excuse to talk. She gets a chance to tell him the full story. .Ridoc puts the whole situation in perspective for Violet. Forcing her draw a line in the sand where he will step in when she can’t.

Xaden waits for them. Ridoc negotiating his own conditions with Xaden. He agress, anything to keep Violet safe.

Almost two weeks later, they make it home. Xaden has kept his distance the entire journey back. Andana has remained quiet. Cat is heartbroken and they are returning without the irids and limited allies.

Rhi meets Violet as they land with Sawyer at her side. They share what happened to Trager and with the irids.

General Aetos, of course, isn’t far behind. He hands Violet a missive from ‘T’, Theophanie. Aetos tells the quest squad Suniva has fallen to venin while they were gone. Queen Maraya is dead. Tecarus is now king.

The squad is separated and questioned for twelve hours. King Tauri is so relieved to have his son back, he forbids any punishment to fall on the squad, to Aetos’s dismay.

Life returns to normal. During Battle Brief the map seems more red than not and King Taura continues to keepe his borders closed to refugees. Battle Brief goes into specifics of Suniva’s demise. It all boils down to traitors within the ranks. Venin have knowledge they shouldn’t. They also flew within thunderstorm clouds. Violet guesse Theophanie must have been with them, controlling the naturally occurring lightning. Making Theophanie a Maven.

Rhi, Sawyer, Violet, and Ridoc meet with Jesinia in the archives. It’s time to uphold Ridoc’s stipulation to keeping Xaden’s secret.

In the midst of a nightmare, Violet is being forced by a Sage to make a decision. Watching Draithis falling, the Sage brings down the Sword of Tyrrendor down on Violet. Jolting awake, she realizes the Sage is dead. It’s Theophanie that she has to worry about. A Maven with decades of practice wielding lightning.

Through the bond, Xaden walls are up. Violet decides to use a move from his own playbook and begins to write a letter.

Professor Kaori and Professor Riorson teach and demonstrate the importance of a battle mount. Violet is apprehensive and pretty scared that this could kill her. Things do not go well for First Squad. Rhi’s excels. Violet and Tairn use their own choreographed version and accomplish the task almost flawlessly.

At the end of class Violet gives Xaden a present. It’s a cuff made from a broken piece of the turret from Riosron House. It’s a birthday present. Xaden is still brooding but admits that it has been 47 days since he last channeled. It’s not with pride that this confession comes, but determintation.

Their moment is interrupted by Felix with news from Aretia. Two wyvern got through the wards and made it farther than any have before. Felix believes there’s less than a month before the wards fail.

Three weeks of everything progressing; training, dark wielders, the death toll, and Andarna’s mental absence. Xaden has been in Tyrrendor for ten days, called back to preform his Duke-ly duties. Violet is worried and Tairn is insufferable.

Violet and her squad are walking when Aaric aburptly stops when the Duke of Calldyr flies through the doorway, apparently thrown by Lewellen. He is angry that the duke is closing his brders. Xaden butts in to declare it over. Halden then enters, forbidding Tyrrendor to open its borders to civilian refugees. Xaden argues that it is his province. Halden tries to outrank him by proclaiming that it is ultimately his kingdom. Lewellen supports Xaden, wanting to simply give people a chance.

Halden threatens Xaden with the possibility of his troops invading Tyrrendor if Xaden opens the borders. Xaden threaten the prince’s life. Halden turns to his brother for support who is unapologetically Team Xaden. Remining his brother he and at least one third of his troops are under Xaden’s command. Halden extends a warning to Xaden who is on the edge.

Lewellen takes the win and leaves to spread the news. Violet gets through to Xaden and he calms himself.

Mid-conversation, Lynx manifests for the first time; he is a shadow wielder. Violet is confused, Xaden is this generation’s shadow wielder. Xaden understands, magic is balancing things out; Xaden is a foregone conclision at this point. He cannot remain in Basgiath. Besides, there is too much to attend to as duke.

Violet begs him to fight, for her, Tairn, and Sgaeyl. Xaden wants her to accept that he is not fully himself anymomre; he has. Xaden leaves two hours later

Violet bares witness to Sawyer’s attempts at riding for the first time since his amputation. Under her guidance he progresses but still struggles to adjust to his new prothesis. Sliseag accommodates Sawyer which allows him to successfully mount.

Ridocc, Rhi, Cat, Maren, Neve, Bragen, Imogen, Quinn, and Dain join. Rhi worries she has failed Sawyer as a leader. Violet assures her friend that she did everything she could.

They all prepare to leave for their rotation at Aretia. Neither Xaden of Spaeyl are there when they land. Entering their empty room is surreal to Violet. But it feels like home to her.

Brennan joins her, solemnly confessing he can’t fix Xaden the same as they did with Jack. Xaden must be farther along. Violet was not aware that Brennan knew about Xaden. Since he’s been discussing possible solutions with Brennan as recently as yesterday, Violet has hope; Xaden isn’t giving up.

Violet’s studying is disrupted by a knock on the dor; Xaden. A war rages in his eyes. It has been 73 days since he has channeled. When Violet doesn’t tell him to go away, he can’t keep his hands off her. Xaden isn’t supposed to be there but somehow flew nine hours in the wrong direction to get home to her. Needing to tell her in person he is not forsaking his time with her.

Only three more days without channeling and Xaden believes he can stall the progression. He also believes he’s found away for them to be together – Violet needs to give him complete control. With the help of his shadows, some daggers, and the serum, they test that theory.

Violet dreams about the Sage. She wakes to find Xaden in the throws of his own nightmare. Violet tells him of her recurring nightmare with the Sage. Xaden is horrified to discover Violet has been witnessing his dream. The scene of when Xaden fought the Sage who insisted he would get his hands on Violet.

She analyzes her dream about the fire and Cat. That is also not her own dream, but anothers. It’s Maren’s. Xaden guesses Violet’s second signet is dream-walking, of form of inntinnsic. Andarna confirm’s Xaden’s suspicions. Violet, however, needs further confirmation. She and Xaden wake Maren to ask her about the dream. Mid-conversation, Tairn bellows a warning.  They are under attack. Violet orders Andarna to guard the wardstone.

As Xaden debriefs Brennan on the situation, realization hits Violet. Xaden isn’t a ranking officer but he is in command of his own army. He forces Bohdi to stay deep within the confines of safety, he is the only heir to Tyrrendor.

Eveyrone goes their separate ways.

On her way to Tairn, Aaric stops Violet, insisting she protect Dunne’s Temple outside the city walls. Aaric believes it’s how she save Tyrrendor.

Violet and Tairn spot the wyvern flying sporadically. Violet agrees with Tairn, they have to go against Rhi’s orders. Tairn demands Violet not hold her conduit. It allows Tairn to blend in better with the night and take down a wyvern.

Feirge and Tairn take down the wyvern’s partner. Tairn channeling his inner crocodile, spinning to break its neck. Not something Violet appreciates. Tairn lets Violet know two more pairs have been taken down by her year-mates.

Four wyvern fly low, toward Andarna. Violet and Tairn race to get to her. Wielding, Violet strikes two wyvern. Tairn goes for the nearest wyvern.

Pain.

Feirge and Rhi go after the wyvern carrying Theophanie. Violet tells Andarna to get them to stop their pursuit.  Violet gears up to wield. Tairn shuts her down to avoid burnout.  Tairn’s leg is injured. Calming down, Violet finds Andarna and six armed attendants defending Dunne’s temple because she paid attention to Aaric’s warning where Violet dismissed it.

Rhi dislodges the claw from Tairn’s leg with her signet. There’s no time to get Tairn to the valley to heal. Three wyvern approach. Tairn, Violet and Andarna stay on the ground to help defend the temple. The priestess argues, none of them are willing to hide, they will stay and fight. Believing Dunne sent Violet to save them.

Theophanie appears. The priestess recognizes her as a fallen priestess of Dunne. Two more venin appear. Andarna blasts them with fire. Theophanie is untouched.

Something in the sky catches the Maven’s eye, grabbing the other two venin by the hand, they vanish. Four wyvern fly toward them, Violet strikes the lead and prepares to focus on the others, but they all fall from the sky becoming huge, destructive objects before she can get them with her lightning.

Tairn and Feirge try to veer the skidding wyvern corpses from causing maximum damage. One hits the temple sending pieces of marble flying. Shadows save Violet from being struck by a particularly large piece.

Sgaeyl argues. Her and Xaden had been on their way to Violet when the wards went up. The reason Theophanie fled and the wyveren fell.

Leothan chooses that moment to make himself known. The irids came to fire the wardstaone. Xaden excuses himself not wanting to cause more animosity among the irids with his presence. They still find Violet to be a horrible weapon. They have been watching and no one, not even the dragons, knew they were there. Andarna’s behavior is not something the rest of the idris approve or value.

Violet and even Sgaeyl defend her. Leothan is of Andarna’s den – her family. Leothan  wants to speak only with Andarna and Violet. He offers to teach her as she would have been taught had she been raised with other irids. It will take years. Leothan urges Andarna to break the bond with Violet. Andarna is young and torn. Violet just wants her to be happy. Leothan severs their bond. Camouflaguing herself, she follows him away.

All rally around Violet as she tries to cope with the loss of Andarna.

After four days, Mira arrives urging Violet to get out of bed. Xaden helps her bathe. Violet lets the last three days she missed sink in. Emerging from her bath, Brennan and Mira are arguing. Mira has been to see their grandmother again. She is trying to figure out what happened during a gap of time where their mother choses not to journal. A time when their father, mother, and Grandma Niara traveled somewhere. Upon returning, Niara stopped speaking to them.

Mira believes her parents tried to have Violet dedicated but the process was not completed because the priestess believed it could cause her to turn venin in the future. Brennan refuses to believe it. Pieces are falling into place for Violet, again. Her father took her against her mother’s wishes.

The priestess that Mira talked with gave here information that causes Xaden to out himself to Mira. She takes it as well as expected. Especially when she realizes even Brennan knew.

Violet falls back into her routine and training. Brennan heals her hand after practicing wielding with Felix. Xaden and Bohdi barge in mid-argument. Bohdi wants to drop out of school wanting to be at Xaden’s side during this war. He doesn’t want to be Xaden’s backup  plan to take over Tyrrendor when Xaden inevitably falls.

Brennan leaves them. Violet confronts Xaden who is preparing for his demise but not stopping to fight against it.

Violet intrudes on Xaden’s dream again. This times being aware and able to control her actions. It differs. The Sage still wants Xaden to bring ‘her’ but it’s not only Violet he wants. Vioelt doesn’t get to ask who it is he wants. Garrick is at the door. Theophanie caught him on patrol. She only released him so he could deliver a message to them. They are at the walls of Draithus. She wants Violet and Bohdi there within a few hours or she dies. Theophanie has Mira.

Everyone argues the best way to proceed. Something is going to have to be sacrificed. Garrick clarifies Theophanie asked for Violet and Xaden’s brother. Garrick only assumed it was Bohdi since it’s no secret that they were raised together like brothers.  But Xaden knows that the venin don’t care about succession. Sgaeyl reminds him there is another who calls him brother.

Violet surmises that she wants Jack Barlowe. Brennan has reached his limits of others’ self-sacrifice, forcing Violet to choose only one objective to focus on. Theophanie is smart, she realizes that Violet will try to save everyone like she always does. And Xaden will try to save Violet over every one and everything else.

Brennan sees that’s what Theophanie is counting on. Violet chooses the path that will lead to Theophanie’s death. They finally have a plan.

Reaching the front line, Tairn spots Molvic and Aaric uncharacteristaically flying away from the fighting. They spot Teine chained and surrounded by wyvern. Theophaine is holding Mira at blade point.

Brennan comes in from the left. Xaden and Bohdi from the right. Theophanie is convinced Violet will not only turn tonight, but in a few moments. At the last moment Garrick appears with an emaciated Jack suspended in the Rybestad chest.

Violet declares the deal fulfilled and demands Mira and Teines release. Theophanie disagrees and admits venin lie. She slits Mira’s throat and throws a dagger at Jack before being carried away by a wyvern.

Their dragons take on the wyvern that remain. Theophanie’s blade has missed Jack. Xaden orders Garrick to return Jack, his death is obviously important to the venin.

Dain lands having followed Sloane. She disobeyed orders to deliver something to Violet from Aaric. Violet only cares that Sloane is there and can give Brennan more power to heal Mira. She will live.

Dain heads back to aid Draithus and get Sloane behind the wards.

Violet picks up the parcel Sloane felw into a war zone to deliver. It’s to Aaric from Dunne. She slips it into her jacket and watches Brennan take Mira. She notices that Brennan doesn’t carry a mark from Sloane’s transfer of power. Niether did Dain.

Xaden and Violet spend a small moment together before they part. After Xaden leaves, Bohdi brings their next problem to light. Teine won’t wake up. Violet convinces Tairn to fly Teine to safety. Bohdi, Cuir, and Violet wait in the field for Theophanie to show until Tairn returns. Whichever comes first.

Theophanie shows first. She taunts Bohdi. The Maven knows this is the opportunity she has been waiting for. With Tairn so far awy, Violet doesn’t have enough power. The perfect time to turn while reaching for the power she needs. Bohdi wields believing he is neutralizing Theophanie’s power. He’s not. She is not truly a lightning wielder. She is Violet’s mother’s twin, a storm wielder.

Cuir listens to Violet’s plea and takes Bohdi away. Theophanie wields, trying to force Violet to reach for power and turn. Taunting her to get Violet to accept attempt to save everyone. Instead, Violet concedes that she can’t be everywhere or save everyone.

RHIANNON

Now that the wind has subsided, more dragons and their riders can join Rhi at the pass to protect fleeing civilians. But then the rain begins.

Seventeen wyverm are on their way. Rhi must take charge of her squad, three dragons and four gryphons. She places the dragons as the first line of defense. Position the gryphons to protect the civilians. Seven wyvern get passed the dragons. They are prepared, so is Rhi.

VIOLET
Accepting the death of others is one thing. As soon as Violet accepts her own, that surprises Theophanie. Giving Violet an opening, beating the Maven back. Tairn is till out of range and Theophanie is beginning to drain the land around them. She lets Violet in on a little venin secret – venin don’t feel love.

She gives Violet her first lesson in the form of an ultimatum. Violet uses a wyvern carcus as a barrier between Theophanie draining the land that would also kill Violet. Sgaeyl begrudgingly picks up Violet and tosses her to an incoming Tairn. Theophanie is no longer in the meadow, she is at the city gates.

Violet unleashes her power, striking seven wyvern. Strike after strike after strike. Hitting multiple wyvern each time. Concentrating those in their pathway to get to Theophanie.

Aaric waits for the Maven with 10,000 mounted soldiers from Zehyllna. But Violet needs to remain focused on killing Theophanie.

IMOGEN

Imogen flies to aid Bohdi then heads to the tower where Quinn is. Once on the ground, Dain joins her.  Imogen wields to save them from being burned.

She finds Quinn and helps her defeat a venin. But not before the venin stabs Quinn. She gives Imogen her final insstructions before dying in her arms.

Garricck finds them, stepping them to Professor Trissa and Felix who are imbuing daggers. Garrick is too tired to walk anymore. He leaves to find somewhere he can be actually useful.

VIOLET

Theophanie uses a tornado to get Tairn and Violet into place. Violet wields at Theophanie on her wyvern and misses. Hail hits her conduit, shattering it before Violet can take another shot at the Maven. Tairn encourages her to continue wield anyway. Theophanie dodges each attempt. Dissipating the storm to make it harder for Violet to wield.

Sgaeyl roars in agony from elsewhere. Distracted, a net is launched over Violet and Tairn. They crash but survive.

Theophanie is getting closer as they try to free themselves from the net. Moving in her seat, Violet frees the package that Sloane delivered to her. It’s a ceremonial dagger from the high priestess of Dunne’s temple.

Violet dismounts as Theophanie approaches, needing to protect Tairn still not completely free of the net. Same as they now have Sgaeyl.

Threatening burnout, Violet tries to catch Theophanie with her lightning. Trying to buy Tairn more time, she asks Theophanie about Unnbriel and the temple there. Violet has struck a nerve.

Sgaeyl and Xaden are close. Violet tries to warn him off through the bond but he’s completely blocked her out. Shadow consume everything. Violet’s heart breaks as she knows even with Sgaeyl’s full power, Xaden isn’t this strong.

Surrounded by an onyx storm, the pieces begin to fall into place. Aaric is a precog. Violet unsheaths the dagger made of marble from Dunnes’ temple. Wielding to illuminate the dark and locate Theophanie. The Maven runs, smacking into an invisible wall that snarls – Andarna.

Taking advantage of Theophanie being enthralled by the irid, Violet is able to plunge the dagger into Theophanie’s heart. One of the only daggers able to kill the Maven.

XADEN

Xaden’s wrath builds seeing Sgaeyl ensnared in the net. Pancheck’s betrayal is partly why Xaden and Sgaeyl are there. Berwyn is there to teach his initiate, Xaden.

Across the canyon, Xaden can see his new brother who has chosen this path even after seeing Xaden struggle over the last five months.

Needing to protect his brother, friends, an Sgaeyl, Xaden grabs for his daggers. The Sage, Berwyn, uses his own to desiccate Pancheck’s dragon, then turns to Xaden. Threatening to do the same to Sgaeyl. His attempt at forcing Xaden to channel power in order to replace the loss of his dragon’s power.

Xaden makes his choice.

Letting go of his daggers and dropping his hands to the ground, Xaden channels throwing the world into darkness. He feels his soul leave him. Using his shadows to kill the wyvern—all of them.

The remaining pieces of his soul struggling to hang on. His shadows saving and passing by those ‘she’ loves. Violet’s voice sneaks in, he tires to hold onto her light and love. Pulling his hand from the ground, releasing his shadows, Berwyn is still alive. Xaden can’t kill him, he needs him now that he is no longer just an initiate.

Xaden is convinced Violet will now fulfill her promise. Sgaeyl is not so confident especially since the red veins branching out from his eyes looks exactly like Violet’s lightning.

VIOLET

She’s in the courtyard at Riorson House, sitting on the ground as Brennan runs over to her. He is interrupted by Weilson giving his report. It includes six missing eggs, conjexture of Xaden’s actions.

Andarna is wih Violet. Tairn is recovering. From what? Violet doesn’t know. She’s confused. She doesn’t even know where Xaden is when her brother asks. He even ask about Garrick who is also missing.

Imogenn points out Violet’s finger. She remembers breaking her arm which is now in a splint. That’s not half as curious as the gold ring on her finger that has an emerald from the Sword of Aretia on it.

She asks Brennan to explain what is going on. He is shocked that she doesn’t know. The last thing she remembers is killing Theophanie and passing out on the field. Now she wakes to missing riders, dragons, eggs, her arm bandaged and a ring on her finger.

She wonders if Xaden is really capable of doing all the things they are accuising him of. The bond is gone.

Brennan opens a parchment Violet had on her. It’s an official blessing of her legal marriage to Xaden. On the other side is a note from Xaden. He is gone and Tyrrendor and everything that was his is now hers.

Her brain is foggy. The last twelve hours have been stolen from her by Imogen. Something Violet had asked her to do.