Violet and Xaden process the previous night’s scare: Xaden involuntarily channeled, leaving faint burns on the headboard. He admits he felt Violet’s power rise and stopped himself, asserting he cannot risk losing control around her. Violet confirms his eyes show no red, and they agree to avoid situations where his control could slip, even as he confesses the memory-sharing between them was intense. They discuss their unexplained ability to share thoughts and memories, then dress and talk politics.

Violet raises concerns about Duke Lindell’s presence and the Tyrrendor houses amid chaotic negotiations. Xaden notes he is expected to speak for Aretia though he holds no official negotiating rank, and explains the delicate terms: Poromiel stays only if fliers remain safe at Basgiath, violence is avoided, and possibly if Tauri returns his father’s sword. He observes tensions between fliers and First Wing and argues that without stable wards, an Aretia-only alliance is insufficient. Their conversation is cut short by a hallway crowd: Brennan, Garrick, Lewellen, Bodhi, and Imogen arrive urgently; Mira appears moments later with news and missives.

Brennan pulls Xaden away for a meeting, while Bodhi and Imogen prepare to take patrol. In private, Mira gives Violet a new conduit from Felix and reveals a runed practice disk crafted with Trissa’s help, using Kylynn’s agrarian signet to alter rune substrates. Demonstrating the device, Mira shows that they have nullified the warmth rune while the sound-shielding and levitation runes still function, proving selective rune nullification is possible. Violet realizes this could protect Poromish fliers at Basgiath and salvage negotiations, though Imogen doubts the Senarium will agree.

Mira urges secrecy until the Senarium can act, and Bodhi and Imogen depart. Brennan returns, exhausted, reporting Poromiel’s politics are difficult, but both sides agreed the fliers can tour the quadrant with first-year riders and Violet’s task force today. Mira reacts with shock and anger when Brennan confirms Violet’s mission to find the rest of Andarna’s breed, a key condition keeping Poromiel at the table and a hope to learn how to defeat the venin. Tairn warns that a hidden den of their kind may react violently to intrusion, and Andarna, hurt, closes the bond pathways.

When Violet notes Aretia needs another of Andarna’s kind to fire the wardstone, Mira accuses Brennan of using Violet as a bargaining chip and reveals the wards have an estimated six months before total collapse. She argues the mission could take decades and cost Violet’s life for nothing. Brennan counters that Poromiel’s civilians are under attack and he is not permitted to accompany Violet. The argument escalates when Brennan blurts that Mira sounds like their mother; he regrets it immediately as both sisters recoil.

Mira throws the runed disk at Brennan, forcing him to confront the proposed solution: use rune nullification to keep fliers safely at Basgiath, thereby locking in the alliance without sacrificing Violet. Brennan grasps the implication but fears the Senarium will never agree. Violet tells him to take the device to the Senarium anyway, insisting it is the only viable path. Brennan acknowledges the necessity with trepidation as the chapter closes with a stark reminder of riders’ cultivated cruelty.