Theophanie reveals she came specifically for Andarna, identifying her as an irid—a rare seventh breed of dragon not seen in centuries. Violet orders Andarna to flee toward the wards, desperate to stall the venin. Theophanie hints at knowledge mortals have forgotten about irids and attempts to recruit Violet, promising she could keep both dragons and gain 'control and knowledge' if she chooses Theophanie as her teacher instead of another venin named Berwyn. She warns that Xaden will eventually come to the venin, and Violet with him. Before Tairn can strike, a wyvern snatches Theophanie away. In the aftermath, Violet confronts Garrick about how he traveled so far so quickly, suspecting he 'walked'—wielded distance as a secret second signet. Garrick deflects but doesn't deny it. Violet urges him to leave before the rest of the squad arrives, protecting his secret.

Twenty hours later, Tairn lands directly in the Basgiath courtyard rather than the flight field because of Violet's injured knee. Xaden uses shadows to lift Violet from Tairn and carries her inside to a meeting room, visibly furious but controlled. Brennan, still at Basgiath for alliance negotiations, mends Violet's knee using his healing signet and arinmint he brought from Aretia. Garrick arrives and tries to defend Violet's decisions, revealing he has already argued her case to Xaden twice.

The squad reunites in the room, exhausted, along with Maren and her twin brothers rescued from Poromiel. General Aetos storms in, accusing them of disobeying orders. Rhiannon counters that they followed orders to be useful and that their early return was authorized. Ridoc and Violet defiantly state the squad will accept any punishment together. When Aetos declares the Poromish boys must be returned because King Tauri has refused to open Navarre's borders, Xaden intervenes with ducal authority, granting the boys Tyrrish citizenship so Brennan can take them to Tyrrendor instead.

Aetos then orders Xaden and Garrick to depart for the Eastern Wing by the next afternoon, per General Melgren's orders, and reminds them commissioned officers are not welcome in the quadrant or to fraternize with cadets. This means Violet and Xaden will be separated, with Xaden stationed on the border where he could be beyond the wards and exposed to unrestricted magic. Aetos also cruelly informs Violet he is moving into the commanding general's quarters—her parents' former home. After Aetos leaves, Brennan finishes healing Violet's knee. Xaden orders everyone out of the room, and once alone with Violet, he pulls her to the edge of the table and kisses her fiercely.