As guards close in, Xaden throws a sword to Halden while Violet arms herself. Amid screams and panther snarls, Violet and Xaden fight nonlethally where possible, with Violet disabling a spear-wielding guard and surviving a vicious attack that shatters her conduit. During the melee, Halden is knocked unconscious.

When more guards surge, Violet sees an unsettling change in Xaden: his eyes rim red and his fury becomes inhumanly focused. He embraces Violet, then uses shadow-like power to snap the necks of a dozen guards simultaneously, despite the isles cutting off magic. The act shocks the court; Violet pockets a cold, inert shard from her broken conduit.

Recognizing the danger, Violet shields Xaden from scrutiny and instructs him to sit and remain still. She coordinates silently with Tairn and Andarna. When Courtlyn calls for help, Andarna appears from behind the palms, holding Courtlyn’s panther Shira delicately in her teeth, causing panic and clearing the hall.

Violet threatens escalation if negotiations fail, making clear that dragons would retaliate if riders are killed. Courtlyn agrees to resume talks. Violet confiscates Xaden’s weapons via Halden, stows them, and quietly orders Xaden to depart with Sgaeyl and the Tyrrendor heirlooms, promising to reunite at Basgiath in a week. Xaden leaves under dragon cover.

With ministers approaching, Violet dictates terms matching the earlier offer and adds a pardon and future entry for Xaden. She leverages potential Navarrian involvement to force acceptance, and Courtlyn agrees. For compensation, Violet produces Andarna’s unique eggshell—an irid dragon shell—and confirms Andarna is the seventh breed they seek. Courtlyn, awed, inspects it as Andarna camouflages beside Shira.

Courtlyn adds one condition: Halden must never return to Deverelli or be killed. Violet accepts over Halden’s protest. The deal is struck; Andarna releases Shira, and the panthers flee. Courtlyn notes they will begin at Unnbriel and offers to broker another trade, implying further aid as Violet readies to proceed.