CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Contains spoilersOverview
Violet, Xaden, Brennan, and Bodhi arrive at Draithus under severe time pressure to confront Theophanie and rescue Mira. They find Teine chained and Mira held hostage, while wyvern besiege the city but curiously do not attack evacuees. After forcing proof that Jack Barlowe has been brought, Theophanie reveals her duplicity and slits Mira’s throat, triggering the confrontation Violet feared.
Summary
Violet and her allies—Xaden, Brennan, and Bodhi—fly with their dragons Tairn, Sgaeyl, Cuir, and Marbh toward Draithus, cutting it close to Theophanie’s deadline. Tairn acknowledges the situation is a trap, while Violet grapples with guilt over Mira’s capture and the risk to Xaden. They descend through clouds to find massive wyvern forces arrayed around Draithus, outnumbering the defenders of dragons and gryphons along the walls, though the wyvern do not interfere with evacuees leaving the western gate.
Tairn reports that Molvic was seen flying south, which is uncharacteristic, and Violet notes the oddity. On the northern field, they find Teine restrained by blood-slick, heavy chains pinning his limbs, tail, and wings, surrounded by a dozen wyvern. Theophanie stands before them, holding one blade to Mira’s throat and another to her ribs. Mira is battered and bleeding. Violet, Brennan, Xaden, and Bodhi approach, prepared for a carefully planned exchange while Violet keeps her focus off the city to honor a promise to Brennan.
Theophanie taunts them about Andarna’s absence and implies knowledge of Berwyn, calling him a brother and criticizing his loose tongue. She claims Violet will soon turn venin, speculating that the catalyst will be saving Mira, defending Xaden, or revenge. As the deadline arrives, Chradh appears with Garrick and the Rybestad chest, and Garrick unlocks it to reveal Jack Barlowe suspended within, emaciated and sedated, satisfying Theophanie’s demand for his presence.
Violet insists their side of the deal is fulfilled and demands Mira and Teine be released. Theophanie rejects this, declaring that her promise was only to let Draithus stand, not to spare Mira. She emphasizes venin wordplay and deceit, then draws the blade across Mira’s neck, slitting her throat as Violet and the others stand within striking distance.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
lightning wielder and protagonist; leads the approach, confronts Theophanie, and witnesses Mira’s throat being slit.
- Xaden Riorson
shadow wielder and Violet’s partner; accompanies Violet, positions shadows, torn between protecting Violet and aiding the city.
- Brennan Sorrengail
Violet’s brother; part of the ground team, enforces the plan to focus on the confrontation.
- Bodhi
ally and rider; arrives with the team to support the operation.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; assesses the battlefield, lands to confront Theophanie, and communicates observations.
- Sgaeyl
Xaden’s dragon; arrives in support.
- Cuir
dragon allied with the team; arrives in support.
- Marbh
dragon allied with the team; arrives in support.
- Theophanie
silver-haired venin antagonist; holds Mira hostage, coordinates wyvern, manipulates terms, and slits Mira’s throat.
- Mira Sorrengail
Violet’s sister; battered captive used as leverage; has her throat slit by Theophanie.
- Teine
Mira’s dragon; heavily chained and bleeding, held captive by wyvern.
- Garrick
ally; arrives with Chradh and opens the Rybestad chest.
- Chradh
dragon; transports the Rybestad chest to the field.
- Jack Barlowe
antagonist held in the Rybestad chest; revealed emaciated and sedated within the chest.
- Wyvern hordes
enemy forces besieging Draithus; surround Teine and hold siege lines without attacking evacuees.
- Molvic
rider referenced; reportedly seen flying south away from conflict.
- Berwyn
Sage/venin figure referenced as a “brother” to Theophanie; cited as careless with secrets.