Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Overview
Violet confronts Xaden over secrecy, and they establish a no-secrets rule; he reveals painful family history, promises not to use his signet on her, and arms her with new daggers. In Battle Brief, enemy movements mass near Samara, but Violet realizes it’s a diversion. She concludes the true target is Basgiath’s hatching grounds and decides they must go defend it despite Navarre’s failings.
Summary
After a week of getting nowhere with Brennan about aiding Samara, Violet seeks out Xaden in the sparring gym. Tension flares, but their confrontation becomes a negotiation: Violet demands total transparency and no more tests or withheld truths, and Xaden agrees. They acknowledge how deeply they can hurt each other, set a new rule of no fighting in their bedroom, and reaffirm their commitment.
Xaden answers Violet’s questions: his mother left when he was young under a contract, his signet manifested shortly after his shadows, and only Sgaeyl knew. He promises never to use his signet on Violet again. The moment softens further when he gifts her two replacement daggers for those lost to Solas, which she claims by disarming him.
Days later, on December nineteenth, wartime preparations intensify: riders imbue conduits, fliers carve maorsite arrowheads, and all upperclass riders study runes; Cat stands out for mastering a tracking rune. At Battle Brief, Professor Devera and Brennan present updated intel showing enemy forces concentrating along Navarre’s border opposite Samara, with estimates of hundreds of wyvern and dark wielders. The Assembly refuses to engage, citing catastrophic potential losses.
Challenged to think like Melgren, Violet reasons that wards are extended by outpost armories and would retract—not vanish—if Samara fell. Learning the enemy has sat idle for three days, she suspects a bluff: the massing at Samara is meant to fix attention while waiting for wards to fail at solstice.
Violet rushes to Xaden, and with their squad gathering, they connect the final dots: Melgren cannot foresee outcomes if marked relics are present, so the vision of Samara’s fall could be misdirection. The likely objective is Basgiath’s Vale and the hatching grounds. Despite Navarre’s betrayals, Violet weighs the civilians and cadets who will die if they do nothing. With Xaden’s full support, she decides: “We have to.”
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailConfronts Xaden over secrecy, sets full-disclosure terms, analyzes enemy movements, and decides they must defend Basgiath’s Vale.
- Xaden RiorsonAgrees to transparency, reveals his mother left, promises not to use his signet on Violet, and supports her decision.
- Brennan SorrengailCo-leads Battle Brief, explains Assembly’s non-engagement, and prompts strategic analysis of ward logistics.
- Professor DeveraPresents updated map and enemy concentrations, moderates charged discussion during Battle Brief.
- Rhiannon MatthiasBacks Violet, offers key ward insight, and rallies the squad to follow her lead.
- RidocProvides commentary in brief and is eager to join the fight.
- CatExcels at runes, including tracking; highlights artillery threat and debates aiding Navarre.
- SawyerNotes enemy withdrawals and supports Violet’s instincts to act.
- SloaneReminds the group Melgren’s visions fail when marked are present; supports the deduction.
- AvalynnFears for family in Morraine and challenges the Assembly’s inaction.
- QuinnCalls the Assembly spiteful during the briefing, voicing cadet frustration.
- TairnUrges immediate action through the bond when Violet realizes the diversion.
- SgaeylOnly confidant of Xaden’s hidden signet history; referenced during reconciliation.
- JesiniaScribe entrusted with translating Lyra’s journal for answers.
- FelixProvides conduits; customizes Violet’s with a strap after recent battles.
- MarenNotes Zolya remains threatened, reflecting incomplete ward coverage.
- TragerArgues Aretia has its own hatching grounds during the moral debate.