After Xaden's shadow blast sends Crown Prince Halden into the wall, Violet rushes to check on him. Xaden arrives and offers an insincere apology, claiming he was blocking a blow aimed at a first-year. He then confronts Halden directly, warning the prince that Violet hasn't thought about him since meeting Xaden. Halden recovers but departs with a look of promised revenge, and class ends shortly after the incident.

An hour later, Violet and Rhiannon sit on Violet's bed as Violet enters the password A-I-M-S-I-R into the book's locking mechanism. She reasons that her father's 'first love' was not her mother Lilith—the obvious answer—but the dragon Aimsir, who was irreplaceable. The lock clicks open, preserving the six vials of ink and revealing the manuscript: "A History of the Second Krovlan Uprising" by Lieutenant Colonel Asher Sorrengail. The first page is a personal letter addressed to Violet. Rhiannon gives Violet privacy to read.

In the letter, Violet's father instructs her: if the worst has happened and her mother is dead, she must protect the manuscript with her life. He says the book can be read by others but understood only by her, containing connections between the Krovlan uprising and feathertails. If she urgently needs a weapon against enemies known only through lore, she must abandon her robes and ride for Cordyn, then book passage to Deverelli, where she'll be safe beyond the reach of magic. She must seek a merchant named Narelle Anselm, bring her the rarest item she possesses, and not send anyone in her stead. He warns about the grudge-bearing Deverelli king and tells her to trust only Mira.

Violet relays the information to Tairn and Andarna. Tairn confirms there is no magic beyond the Continent, which is why dragons remain. Andarna says she knows what to bring. Tairn agrees that heading for Deverelli is better than flying north aimlessly and suggests splitting the squad if the captain insists on the northern route.

Xaden comes to Violet's room, consumed by jealousy over Halden. He demands to know if Violet loved the prince. Violet admits she loved Halden when she was eighteen during a seven-month relationship, but not the way she loves Xaden. Xaden struggles with the knowledge, especially since Halden can physically touch Violet while Xaden cannot due to his venin condition. Violet reassures him that her heart belongs only to him. The tension gives way to an intense kiss that escalates—Xaden pins Violet's wrists with shadows and they struggle to maintain restraint—before Xaden pulls away to keep from crossing a line.

Violet tells Xaden about her father's letter directing her to Deverelli. Xaden immediately commits to going. They discuss the logistics: they can search for Andarna's kind on the isles while also fulfilling her father's instructions, but they'll need the Amelian Citrine from occupied Anca and Halden's help to secure an audience with the Deverelli king. Xaden accepts the dangers, and they agree to leave as soon as possible.