After the iridescent dragon Leothan fires the wardstone and saves Aretia, Violet and Rhiannon approach him while Xaden departs to handle the aftermath. Violet instructs Rhi to carry no weapons, as irids are pacifists. Leothan greets them coolly, stating he did not save Aretia for Violet but for Andarna. Feirge, Rhi's Green Daggertail, initially confronts Leothan aggressively before Andarna intervenes, declaring he is of her line.

Leothan criticizes Andarna's behavior as "abhorrent" and "misguided," prompting defensive reactions from Sgaeyl, Tairn, and Violet. Violet confronts him directly, arguing Andarna's supposed failings are the irids' fault for leaving her to be raised by the Empyrean. Leothan clarifies that he considers Andarna's motives honorable and reveals he shares her bloodline—they are of the same den. He then demands a private conversation with only Violet and Andarna present, blocking Tairn and Sgaeyl's bond connections. Reluctantly, the others withdraw.

In private, Leothan offers Andarna the chance to come home with the irids to learn their ways, a process that would take years. The catch: she must sever her bond with Violet and leave immediately. Leothan explains that Andarna, as an irid, forged a second bond where only one should exist—proof of her unique irid power—and can therefore break it at will. Violet's bond with Tairn would sustain her life, and Andarna could theoretically reforge the bond later.

Violet is devastated but refuses to be the reason Andarna cannot explore her heritage. She tells Andarna she loves her and wants her to feel complete, even if it means living apart. Andarna floods the bond with deep yearning but before she can articulate her choice, a shrieking whistle sounds in Violet's mind and the bond goes silent. Leothan launches into the sky, his scales camouflaging into the night, and Andarna follows—disappearing without a farewell.

Violet collapses as the severed bond leaves her hollow and breathless. Her vision darkens and her heart stutters until Tairn lands over her and forces her to breathe through their remaining bond. Xaden and Rhiannon rush to her side. Violet manages to whisper the devastating truth: Andarna is gone. Sgaeyl rages, and the chapter closes on Violet's shattered grief, underscored by a Field Guide quote that no rider has ever survived the loss of their dragon.