When King Courtlyn orders his guards to kill the delegation, a violent fight erupts on the dais. Xaden draws both swords, tossing one to Halden, while Violet fights with her daggers. Violet engages multiple guards in close combat, slicing tendons and stabbing arms to incapacitate rather than kill. During the melee, a guard grabs Violet by her braid and slams her against the table, shattering her conduit. Another guard elbows her face and grabs her throat before she fights free. The fight is brutal but Violet holds her own until a dozen more guards pour in.

Seeing Violet injured, Xaden enters a terrifying state of fury. He pulls Violet against his chest, kisses her forehead, and with a single outstretched hand twists every guard's neck simultaneously using shadow-like power—despite there being no source magic on the isle. Violet realizes with horror that a shard of her shattered conduit, now drained of all energy, fell from Xaden's hand: he used the alloy as a power source. His eyes show red rims consuming the gold flecks, confirming the venin-like transformation she fears. Violet pockets the spent alloy and takes control of the situation.

Violet orders Xaden to sit with his head down to hide his changed eyes. She calls on Andarna, who enters the hall and delicately picks up Courtlyn's prized panther Shira in her teeth as a hostage. Violet leverages Andarna's camouflage ability and the threat of Tairn and Sgaeyl to force Courtlyn back to the negotiating table. She warns that killing riders would only enrage their dragons, who would destroy Deverelli in retaliation.

With Courtlyn cowed, Violet sends Xaden away on Sgaeyl to return the heirlooms to Aretia, telling him she'll meet him at Basgiath in a week. She then negotiates the original trade terms plus a full pardon for Xaden's actions that night and his right to return to Deverelli. As payment for the alliance and compensation for Halden's crimes, Violet offers Andarna's dragon egg shell—the only shell from the seventh breed of dragon, an iridescent. Courtlyn is awed and accepts, with the condition that Halden never return to Deverelli. Violet agrees over Halden's protests, and the deal is struck. After Andarna releases Shira, Courtlyn hints at another trade he might broker, mentioning the isle of Unnbriel as their next destination.