After Xaden's appointment as a professor is announced, Violet avoids him and instead seeks out Dain to ask for help retrieving her father's hidden research from the commanding general's quarters—now General Aetos's quarters. Violet explains that the quarters are warded by bloodline, and she fears Aetos or Markham would redact or withhold the research if asked directly. Dain acknowledges his strained relationship with his father but agrees to help Violet steal the research the following weekend when his father will be away in Calldyr.

Meanwhile, Xaden pulls Violet into Kaori's office for a private conversation. He dismisses the Code of Conduct's prohibition on professor-cadet relationships and insists nothing has changed between them. Xaden reveals that Kaori believes they can get an exemption from Panchek, but General Aetos arrives first and flatly denies the request, making clear he wants Xaden off campus and will use any Code violation as grounds to remove him. Violet defiantly tells Aetos that she—not Xaden—killed Varrish, and Dain walks her to class, revealing he shares guilt over Varrish's death. Despite the personal cost, Dain reaffirms his commitment to helping Violet get her father's research.

The following Monday, Violet attends a planning meeting for the mission to find the seventh breed of dragon. The squad assembled by Captain Grady includes several officers Violet doesn't know or trust, plus Aura Beinhaven, whom Violet distrusts. Xaden arrives uninvited and inserts himself into the mission, arguing that Tairn won't fly without Sgaeyl. Tensions flare as Xaden clashes with Grady and the other officers, pulling rank as the Duke of Tyrrendor when challenged. Violet advocates searching south toward the isle kingdom of Deverelli, citing her father's research on feathertails and torn journal entries suggesting isle involvement, but Grady overrules her and commits to a northward search along the coastline.

Throughout the meeting, Violet and Xaden communicate privately through their mental bond, sharing frustration over their enforced separation. Xaden's shadow powers flirt with Violet under the table. After the meeting, Aura reveals she has been assigned as Violet's companion—effectively a chaperone enforcing the Code of Conduct under General Aetos's explicit orders. Multiple Navarrian riders are actively surveilling Violet to prevent any contact with Xaden. Despite these obstacles, both resolve to find a way to spend time together, and Violet consoles herself that at least Xaden is safe at Basgiath rather than on the border where he risks losing control to venin power.