The chapter opens with the morning death roll in the courtyard, now expanded to include all active-service deaths rather than just quadrant losses. Among the names read is Ruford Sharna from Third Wing, who fell from his dragon during maneuvers. Afterward, Sloane pulls Violet aside to deliver a heavy canvas bag from Jesinia. During their conversation, Sloane confesses guilt over not stopping Violet's mother from powering the wardstone—an act that cost Lilith her life. Violet reassures Sloane that her mother made her own choice and that Sloane's survival matters more than any ward. The bag contains tomes: two selected by Jesinia and one passed along from Dain, who successfully retrieved Violet's father's research without drawing suspicion.

Back in her room, Violet discovers the research is locked inside a thick leather-bound book protected by a six-letter combination lock. If the wrong answer is entered, ink vials will destroy the contents, and a rune prevents magical tampering. The only clue is a note in her father's handwriting: "First love is irreplaceable." Over the following days, Violet and her squad debate possible passwords—Lilith, Violet, Brennan's first love—but nothing feels right. Aaric hints that the answer might relate to Violet's own romantic history, and the conversation reveals she dated someone with a six-letter name before her father died, though she refuses to elaborate.

During a sparring class in the amphitheater, Xaden and Garrick run exercises pitting squads against Garrick's powerful wind wielding. Violet's squad fights as a team: Ridoc throws an ice wall, Cat and Quinn use mindwork to disorient Garrick, and Rhiannon summons his own daggers. Violet uses the opening to call down a precise lightning strike that melts Garrick's dagger behind him, demonstrating lethal accuracy without actually harming him. Xaden openly declares his love, and even Garrick is visibly impressed.

The session is interrupted by the arrival of Prince Halden, Aaric's twin brother and crown prince of Navarre. Violet immediately tells Xaden to help Aaric hide, since Halden's discovery of his twin at Basgiath—or of Xaden's role in their brother's death—could be catastrophic. Halden approaches Violet with casual charm, revealing their past romantic relationship and his continued interest. He presents a missive from Viscount Tecarus addressed to Violet, which he intercepted and read. The letter outlines a path to meet King Courtlyn of Deverelli—requiring noble blood—in exchange for the Amelian Citrine, a lesser-magic amplifier currently displayed in Anca, which is in occupied or formerly occupied territory beyond the wards.

Halden offers to use his royal authority to override Grady's northward mission plan and redirect the quest southward if Violet agrees to retrieve the citrine. He also presses her about her relationship with Xaden and asks her to dinner, claiming he wants to properly apologize for cheating on her years ago. When Halden reaches toward Violet's hair, Xaden's shadows blast through the wards and slam the prince into a rock wall, ending the conversation violently.