As calm returns with the wards restored, Feirge bristles at the arrival of the irid Leothan, but Andarna intervenes, declaring Leothan kin. Rhiannon dismounts and, with Violet, approaches unarmed as Violet warns that irids are pacifists. Xaden holds back to handle matters at the temple, while Leothan acknowledges he fired the wardstone, though he insists he did not do it for the humans.

Leothan critiques Andarna’s behavior as abhorrent by irid standards, prompting Sgaeyl and Tairn to bristle in her defense. Violet counters that the irids set Andarna up to fail by leaving her in Empyrean care. Leothan clarifies that he and Andarna share a close bloodline and that he wishes to speak privately with Andarna and Violet, shielding their bonds from Tairn and Sgaeyl until the others withdraw.

In private, Leothan offers Andarna a return “home” to learn irid ways, stating that the others will accept his decision in time. He proposes Andarna leave for years, asserting Violet will be safe under renewed wards and Tairn’s mentorship. When Andarna objects due to her bond with Violet, Leothan asserts that bonds are magical constructs that an irid can reshape or break, and he points out that Andarna already forged a second bond contrary to human limits, citing that Tairn spoke to Violet first at Threshing.

Torn between kinship and loyalty, Andarna hesitates. Violet, recognizing Andarna’s yearning for family and belonging, tells Andarna she wants her safe and thriving even if that means leaving. Leothan calls Violet’s stance admirable and presses the point that Andarna can later reforge the bond if she returns.

A shrieking sound pierces Violet’s mind as Leothan’s power severs or suppresses the bond; Violet slams into a void where Andarna’s presence had been. Leothan launches skyward, his scales camouflaging him against the clouds. Andarna roars, searches, then vanishes into the sky after him, leaving Violet with no bond to reach.

Violet collapses, overcome by the abrupt absence. Tairn’s commanding presence forces her to breathe through their still-intact bond, and Xaden rushes to support her as Rhiannon watches in worry. Sgaeyl reacts with fury at Andarna’s departure. Violet can only whisper that Andarna is gone, haunted by the knowledge that riders do not survive the loss of their dragons.