On the battlefield near Newhall, Theophanie confirms Violet “rides” an irid and targets Andarna, prompting Violet to order Andarna to flee to the wards. Andarna remembers and identifies herself as an “irid scorpiontail.” Theophanie taunts Violet with ancient knowledge, implies immortality, and claims she will teach Violet if Violet and Xaden come to her, promising control, knowledge, and that Violet could keep both dragons. She denigrates Berwyn as a potential teacher and suggests Xaden will come to the venin.

As power returns to Violet with Tairn rousing, a wyvern snatches Theophanie away before Tairn can strike, leaving Violet, Garrick, and Tairn alive. In the aftermath, Violet questions Garrick about being called a “walker,” deducing he may wield a rare distance signet; Garrick deflects, admits risk, and departs quickly with Chradh to protect his secret before the squad arrives. Tairn refuses to gossip about riders.

About twenty hours later, Tairn lands Violet directly in Basgiath’s riders’ courtyard due to her injury. Andarna arrives, and Brennan rushes out as Xaden appears, carrying Violet inside with shadows to a meeting room. Xaden radiates anger but stays silent, while Brennan begins mending Violet’s badly swollen knee and discusses arinmint use brought from Aretia, drawing Xaden’s disapproval for skirting laws.

Garrick enters to defend Violet’s choices, and soon Rhiannon, Maren, and the second-years arrive with Maren’s young twin brothers. General Aetos storms in to accuse the squad of disobedience; Rhiannon cites orders to be useful and an authorized early return, while Ridoc declares they will accept punishment as a squad. Aetos insists the boys must be returned because King Tauri has not opened borders.

Xaden counters by asserting Tyrrendor authority, declaring the twins Tyrrish citizens so Brennan can take them “home” to Tyrrendor, protecting them from expulsion. Aetos announces that Xaden and Garrick must depart for the Eastern Wing by the next afternoon and bars commissioned officers from the quadrant, signaling the end of Xaden’s prior access and hinting at separation from Violet. Brennan finishes healing Violet’s knee.

After Aetos leaves, Xaden orders everyone out. Once alone, Violet challenges his anger and asserts her autonomy; Xaden closes the distance, pulls her to the edge of the table, and kisses her. A recovered letter from Xaden to Violet reveals he had not woken her to say goodbye previously because he doubted he could walk away.