Violet arrives at Samara with Tairn, debating dangerous running landings and feeling the charged cargo she carries. Xaden approaches, urges her to ask for a kiss to ensure private time, and they share an intense, very public kiss. Mira interrupts, revealing she is now stationed at Samara. Xaden carries Violet’s bags to his room before heading to duty, leaving Violet stung by their unresolved rift.

Later, Violet and Mira throw knives in the sparring gym. Mira warns about RSC interrogations and their lethal stakes. They discuss the wards: Mira frames them like an umbrella from the Vale’s wardstone, with weakened edges bolstered by dragons and alloy at outposts, and says riders weave extensions rather than new wards. Pressed for details, Mira withholds classified information. Violet hints at wyvern destroying Poromish cities; Mira dismisses it as exhaustion-fueled fantasy and urges rest.

After midnight, Xaden returns. He reports infantry killed civilians at the border, underscoring the brutal realities at Samara. Violet admits she nearly told Mira the truth about Brennan and the war. They agree to share information that affects decisions while accepting some secrets. Violet updates him on Tairn mauling Solas to stop Varrish’s maneuvers, and Xaden vows to watch Varrish.

As they lie together, Xaden soothes Violet’s nightmares about Resson. He explains their bond makes fully blocking each other impossible, but assures Violet she can likely keep Dain out if she maintains her shields. When asked, he reveals alloy is made from talladium, other ores, and dragon egg shells. They settle into a fragile peace as he teases that she loves him, and she lets the comfort quiet her fears.