Violet is brought before the Senarium for having altered to wardstone to allow fliers to wield. Violet points out that she did it in order to clear a path to negotiations with Poromiel. <\/p>\n
In her defense, Xaden points out that it is still intact in terms of protecting against the dark wielders. He also points out that the act happened last night and as of this morning, they just signed a full pardon for everyone. <\/p>\n
Queen Maraya of Poromiel also shows up to thank Violet for her actions on behalf of Poromiel. Queen Maraya knows that Violet previously negotiated with Viscount Tecarus<\/strong> in order to have access to his library, and as a thank you she offers Violet access to hers as well, which Violet eagerly accepts in hopes of locating a historical record that will give them an indication of how to defeat or cure venin. <\/p>\n Afterwards, General Aetos continues to threaten Violet and warns that her friends may be at risk. He then assigns their squad to two days of looking after the Samara outpost, where there is intense fighting going on. <\/p>\n Chapters 9 \u2013 11<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n The next day, Fourth Wing, Second Squad arrives at Samara, exhausted from a night of flying. Luckily Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi<\/strong>, who is in charge there, informs them that the fighting has died down and that he wouldn\u2019t send cadets out anyway. He tells Violet and her dragons to stay out of sight since they could be seen as targets and trigger another attack. Violet then leads the squad to a bedchamber that Xaden had previously warded in this location where they can all sleep safely. <\/p>\n When they awake, they\u2019re told about an attack on Newhall, where Maren\u2019s family fled. However, the captain doesn\u2019t plan on intervening, saying that the village is too small to be worth defending and instead hopes that the people there will evacuate in time, writing it off as a casualty of war. <\/p>\n Second squad votes and agrees to go on mission to extract Maren\u2019s family. On the way, Violet fends off a wyvern attack, but realizes that they\u2019ve stepped into a trap when she recognizes a silver-haired dark wielder with them as the one who had tried to free Jack from Basgiath and had gotten away. In the scuffle, her dragon Tairn is knocked out and Violet\u2019s knee is dislocated. Garrick shows up as alerted by Xaden when they heard Violet was headed into danger. <\/p>\n As the dark wielder approaches them, Violet realizes the dark wielder is capable of wielding lightning as well. The woman introduces herself as Theophanie<\/strong> and tells them that she killed Maren\u2019s parents, but left the boys alive as \u201cgoodwill\u201d. <\/p>\n Theophanie then asks about Violet\u2019s dragons, referring to Andarna as \u201cthe irid\u201d (likely short for \u201ciridescents\u201d). When Andarna hears that word, she recognizes it and it triggers something in her memory, that she is an \u201cirid scorpiontail\u201d. Violet then realizes that the dark wielder is after Andarna and tells Andarna to leave. Theophanie tells Violet to remember that she let her live today, and tells her to choose her (Theophanie) and not Berwyn <\/strong>as her teacher when the time comes, since she\u2019ll let her keep her dragons and give her knowledge. <\/p>\n After she departs, Garret and Violet note that the dark wielder referred to Violet as a \u201cleash\u201d and to Garret as a \u201cwalker\u201d. Violet realizes that Garret also has a second signet, which is that he can travel large distances very quickly. <\/p>\n Violet heads for Basgiath, where Xaden and Brennan meet her, along with Garrick. As Brennan mends Violet\u2019s leg, General Aetos reminds Xaden that he isn\u2019t allowed in the quadrant since he\u2019s a commissioned officer and that Violet needs to report to Lieutenant Tavis in the Eastern Wing tomorrow. He also notes that Maren\u2019s brothers (who have been brought to Basgiath) aren\u2019t allowed there, so Xaden says that they\u2019ll be taken Tyrrendor since he\u2019s making them citizens of Tyr. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 12<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n When Violet and Xaden are alone, Violet asks about Garret\u2019s second signet and whether Liam has one, too. Xaden confirms that he can also wield ice. Violet asks if it has to do with their rebellion relics and Xaden responds that he thinks the dragons knew what they were doing in choosing to imbue them with extra power, likely to build their own army in a way. Meanwhile, Violet tells Xaden that she thinks the dark wielders have their own signets as well. <\/p>\n Xaden leaves, but Violet soon gets word from him that there was an intense squirmish beyond the borders and he ended up needing to channel again, so he\u2019s \u201crecovering\u201d (which Violet understands to mean that he has isolated himself until his eyes are no longer red from channeling). <\/p>\n Violet and Imogen go to see Jack in his cell for information. She offers him a small amount of energy, enough to keep him alive for a little longer, in exchange. Jack reluctantly agrees. In response to her questions, he tells Violet that inexperienced dark wielders can sense one another but more adept ones \u2014 Sages and Mavens \u2014 can hide it. Also, only initiates bleed. He also tells her that he doesn\u2019t want to be cured since he sees it as being free to have unfettered access to power and being unburdened by conscience. <\/p>\n Afterwards, Imogen wipes Jack\u2019s memory of having spoken to them. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 13<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Violet and her allies go to the library to do research. There, Sawyer tells them that Markham (in charge of the library) has kicked Jesinia out of the adept program (path for librarians) by making up a test he knew she\u2019d fail in retaliation for her siding with Aretia, which limits the information she has access to. However, she has still been assigned to help Violet and Grady with research about the seventh breed. <\/p>\n In her research, Jesinia has uncovered a reference to an isle kingdom that aided in a prior uprising (the second Krovlan uprising) in General Cadao\u2019s journal, but the section has been ripped out. She suspects it may be relevant (to either the search for the seventh breed or to defeating venin or the cure), and Violet\u2019s father had been doing research on that topic before his death. However, now only General Aetos has access to Violet\u2019s late father\u2019s papers. <\/p>\n At Battle Brief, everyone is given a compendium of information about fighting venin, which the scribes have been working on. Professor Devera also adds that they\u2019ve additionally confirmed that high-level venin \u2013 Sage and Maven \u2013 can wield signets, though Violet already knew that. <\/p>\n Finally, Devera announces that Xaden will be in charge of instructing students regarding signet-on-signet combat, which Violet realizes was Xaden\u2019s way of ensuring he could stay within the safety of the wards. However, as an instructor, it also means that their relationship needs to end as far as anyone knows since the Code of Conduct prohibits it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 14<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n With Dain back from his post, Violet asks him for help getting access to her father\u2019s research, which she believes is located in a warded place so that only General Aetos or his bloodline (like Dain) can access it. Dain says that his father will be in Calldyr next weekend, so they can plan the heist for then. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, General Aetos denies Xaden\u2019s request to make an exception to the Code for his and Violet\u2019s relationship, and Aetos assigns various riders to follow Violet around to ensure that they don\u2019t have an opportunity to be unchaperoned. <\/p>\n Violet soon attends a meeting regarding the search for the seventh breed. The squad consists primarily if people she doesn\u2019t know and it\u2019s not clear to Violet how this group was chosen. Xaden shows up and demands to join them on the grounds that Sgaeyl and Tairn can\u2019t be separated. Captain Grady begrudgingly agrees to add him to the roster. In the meeting, Violet suggests going southward to the isles, based on the findings from General Cadao\u2019s journal, which her father had been researching prior to his death. However, Captain Grady is insistent that they should travel north along the coastline instead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 15 \u2013 17<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n At the first session of Signet Sparring led by Xaden, Xaden spars with each cadet, beating them effortlessly. Finally, it\u2019s time for him to spar with Violet. As they train, Xaden tells Violet she needs to learn to locate him even in darkness because she is the only one capable of killing him if necessary. <\/p>\n Afterwards, Dain finds Violet and tells her that he\u2019s determined that there\u2019s no way for him to sneak someone else into his father\u2019s quarters due to the surveillance there, so he\u2019s going to steal the research himself. <\/p>\n On Monday, Sloane pulls Violet aside to hand her some books Jesinia had for Violet \u2014 including the journal that Dain stole. However, there\u2019s a six-letter lock and a the clue that \u201cFirst love is irreplaceable.\u201d The lock mechanism is designed to ruin the book if the combination is entered incorrectly. <\/p>\n At the next session of Signet Sparring, Prince Halden unexpectedly shows up and they quickly hide Aaric (King Tauri\u2019s other son and Halden\u2019s younger brother who secretly signed up to be a rider after learning about the venin attacks). He gives Violet a message addressed to her from Viscount Tecarus. As requested by Violet, Tecarus has negotiated a meeting with her and King Courtlyn of Deverelli<\/strong>, the southernmost isle. In exchange, Courtlyn wants a gem \u2014 the Amelian Citrine<\/strong> \u2014 belonging to Queen Maraya, who has agreed to give it, but it needs to be fetched from the city of Anca<\/strong>, which is beyond the wards and in occupied territory. <\/p>\n Halden tells Violet that he\u2019ll order Grady to change course (to go the southern isles instead) if Violet can secure the gem (and therefore the meeting with Courtlyn). He also comes onto Violet and asks her to dinner, but he\u2019s interrupted by a blast from Xaden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 18<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Later, Rhiannon chides Violet for never having mentioned that she was once in a relationship with Halden. Meanwhile, Violet thinks she\u2019s figured out the password for the journal \u2014 she thinks it\u2019s \u201cAimsir<\/strong>\u201c, since her father loved her mother and her first love was her dragon. She wants Rhiannon there while she tries it so that Rhiannon can stop the lock mechanic from messing up the entire book if it\u2019s wrong. <\/p>\n The password is correct and the book opens easily. From the very first page, it is addressed directly to Violet. Her father writes that the journal is about his research on the second Krovlan uprising and that she must protect this knowledge with her life. He also says that the key to defeating the venin is at Cordyn (where Tecarus\u2019s palace is), and after that she\u2019ll have to travel to isle of Deverelli which is \u201cbeyond the reach of magic\u201d (since magic only exists and functions on the Continent) and seek out a merchant named Narelle Anselm<\/strong>. He recommends bringing something the rarest thing she has to give to Narelle in exchange, and Andarna pipes up that she knows what to give. <\/p>\n When Violet tells Xaden about the developments, and he agrees that they need to get the artifact and head to Deverelli.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 19<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n A few days later, Violet and a riot of eight including Mira and Halden and Grady, reaches Samara, where they leave Andarna since it\u2019ll be safer for her there since Theophanie is hunting her. From there, it\u2019s three hours\u2019 ride until Anca. The ride is oddly smooth, and Anca appears to no longer be occupied. <\/p>\n They reach the dilapidated five-story house of Amelia where the gem is likely on display. Mira goes to get the gem, but just as she finds it, Aura accidentally sets the place on fire, and Captain Grady is caught in the blaze. The surrounding buildings quickly get caught in the blaze, and it draws the attention of the wyverns. They have to flee quickly, but Aura is killed by a wyvern. <\/p>\n When the rest of them return safely to Samara, Mira gives Violet a note she found next to the gem. It\u2019s from Theophanie, addressed to Violet, encouraging her to seek her out if she has questions. It also shows that Theophanie knew they\u2019d be there and that she likely knows that Violet is on the hunt for a cure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 20 \u2013 21<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Back at Basgiath, Violet continues her research. Ridoc reveals that he\u2019s been working on honing his signet abilities and thinks he can now freeze the water in someone\u2019s body. <\/p>\n The following Friday, Violet meets with the Senarium to provide a progress report. Violet demands to choose her own squad, saying that a group of people of don\u2019t know or trust each other has led to disaster. Halden agrees to her demands, for now, but warns her that it could change if she fails. Violet then names for her squad: Xaden, Mira, Ridoc Gamlyn, Catriona \u201cCat\u201d Cordella<\/strong>, Captain Drake Cordella<\/strong> (Cat\u2019s cousin), Dain Aetos, Halden and one more person of Halden\u2019s choosing. <\/p>\n They soon depart and after a long flight arrive at Tecarus\u2019s palace. Tecarus lets them know that he and the prince will travel ahead of them and warn the king of Deverelli about the arrival of their riot and dragons. He also reminds them that they\u2019ll lose their abilities once they cross the ocean since magic only exists on the Continent. Additionally, he tells them that King Courtlyn loves rare things (referring to Violet) and will steal them if necessary, and she should be careful not to advertise her unique qualities and to stay close to each other (her and Xaden). <\/p>\n Soon, they travel southward and cross over the ocean, where Violet feels her magic fade away. The dragons also require much more effort to fly, and \u2014 with the notable exception of Tairn, Andarna and Violet \u2014 their bonds that allow them to communicate telepathically with each other and their dragons have been cut off. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 22 \u2013 24<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n They soon reach a smaller estate belonging to Tecarus on the isle of Deverelli. He greets them and they get settled in. Halden is going to meet with the king of Deverelli, since the king is only willing to meet with aristocrats. Violet notes that Xaden seems much more at peace and relaxed without the pressures of his magical abilities. <\/p>\n They go into town on horses and quickly ascertain that the woman they\u2019re searching for, Narelle Anselm (as instructed by Violet\u2019s father\u2019s research), is a rare book dealer. At the store, they are identified as \u201cfire-bringers\u201d and attacked, but they manage to de-escalate the situation. When Narelle shows up, she correctly recognizes that Violet is Asher Sorrengail\u2019s daughter and says that she must be here to collect the books he wrote for her. <\/p>\n Narelle refers to them as \u201cAmaralis\u201d and explains that Asher purposely hid his work four years ago (he died three years ago) and wanted Violet to later find it. As they talk about her father\u2019s research, they discuss how the Krovlan uprising fell apart because the Krovlans had promised Deverelli dragons in exchange for their help, but couldn\u2019t deliver so Deverelli told the Poromish king where to find the rebels, resulting in an event called the Midnight Massacre and effectively ended the rebellion. <\/p>\n (It also comes up that Violet ended things with Halden because she caught him cheating on her with a professor.)<\/p>\n Narelle gives Violet six books from her father, but they are all passcode-locked. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 25 \u2013 28<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n That night, Violet suggests that she and Xaden take up Tecarus\u2019s offer from them to stay here at Deverelli until she can find a cure for Xaden. That way he doesn\u2019t have to worry about being venin since there\u2019s no magic here anyway. However, Xaden says that he\u2019s not sure the dragons can survive here and he thinks that they may even be in pain without their magic. <\/p>\n They\u2019re soon interrupted with news that King Courtlyn has decided to \u201ckeep\u201d Halden and is holding him captive. Xaden reluctantly agrees to go save him. <\/p>\n Violet and Xaden head to the palace, accompanied by their dragons. They go to confront the king and find him seated at a table with Tecarus and Halden. The king also has three white panthers \u2013 Shira, Shena and Shora. <\/p>\n The king tells them that Halden tried to make a deal that included giving him a rare weapon, the Blade of Aretia, which was not his to give (since it was taken from Aretia). Xaden then negotiates with the king, saying that they are seeking to reopen diplomatic channels and permission to use Tecarus\u2019s manor as a stopping point for their dragons and gryphons as they conduct their search (for the irids). <\/p>\n As they negotiate, the king reveals that he has killed the guard that Halden brought \u2014 Anna Winshire \u2014 and is feeding her to his panthers. The king reveals that the Halden sent her to steal certain treasures from their treasury. Halden protests that those things belonged to Navarre in the first place. As they argue, Violet realizes that Navarre had bartered off various treasures to the king over the past century. <\/p>\n Finally, the king orders his guards to kill them all, leaving only Tecarus alive, resulting in a fight. Things get desperate as more guards arrive, and after Violet is injured, Xaden is forced to channel magic from Violet\u2019s conduit in order to use his powers to kill the guards. <\/p>\n Afterwards, Xaden departs as Violet takes over negotiations, threatening to have the dragons eat his panthers if it doesn\u2019t proceed peacefully. They finally agree to the original request in exchange for the citrine gem. Additionally, to compensate the king for his dead guards, Violet gives him Ardana\u2019s dragon shell, which is rare since she\u2019s the only one of her kind that\u2019s known of. Finally, they agree that Halden cannot step foot on Deverelli again. <\/p>\n With the main negotiation completed, King Courtlyn additionally makes Violet another offer \u2014 he wants Violet and Xaden\u2019s services.<\/p>\n A few days later, back at Basgiath, Violet attends Battle Brief where they discuss a change in the venin\u2019s strategy and movements that seem to indicate that they are headed toward Aretia, likely because they know that the wards there are going to fail at some point. (As a reminder, in the previous book, Violet got Aretia\u2019s wards up, but then found out that the instructions she\u2019d gotten were purposely flawed since the author only wanted Navarre to be able to put up wards in order to preserve its power). <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Xaden is still in isolation, and Violet worries that perhaps the red in his eyes (from channeling in Deverelli) has not faded this time. <\/p>\n Soon, Violet and Dain figure out how to unlock her father\u2019s six journals. Shortly after, during Signet Sparring a group of first years (Lynx, Baylor, Avalynn, Sloane, Aaric and Kai<\/strong>) approach Violet and express their desire to help with her mission. She hesitantly agrees, but merely assigns them to write reports on her research. <\/p>\n When Violet sees Xaden again, she realizes that the redness in his eyes is gone, but the flecks in his eyes are more amber than gold. She knows they don\u2019t have the luxury of time. As Cat and Bodhi try to figure out an efficient route for their squad, Violet interrupts and decides that they\u2019re going to go against the Senarium\u2019s order to report back between each isle they visit \u2014 instead they\u2019re going to go and find the seventh breed and not come back until it happens. <\/p>\n Violet tells Bodhi about Xaden\u2019s eyes, and he tells her that she needs to take Garrick with her on this mission (and it\u2019s implied that Garrick can help protect them from Xaden in case they really can\u2019t find a cure). Before Sparring ends, a second-year suddenly starts channeling and the Professor quickly kills her with an alloy dagger. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 29 \u2013 30<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Violet\u2019s crew is soon ready to head out. Halden quickly makes a nusiance of himself, but Aaric\u2019s brother (Halden) shows up to tell Halden that he\u2019ll be joining the squad instead as the royal representative since Halden is a threat to the mission. <\/p>\n They take off and after a long flight reach the isle of Dunne. As they get settled, Mira mentions to Violet that she went to see their estranged Grandmother Niara, and Mira recommends that Violet do the same sometime.<\/p>\n That night, the group is approached by a platoon of soliders representing Unnbriel, the kingdom they\u2019re in. The soldiers demand that they take their dragons and leave. From their reaction to the dragons, it\u2019s clear they haven\u2019t seen dragons before and Andarna knows it\u2019s unlikely the seventh breed is here. <\/p>\n Xanden demands an audience with the queen, and demands to challenge their strongest fighter in order to earn that meeting (as is their custom). Only half of them are permitted to go to the palace for the challenge. They soon arrive at Eistol, the capitol of Unnbriel, which Violet knows will be a highly fortified place based on her father\u2019s research. Violet notes the presence of crossbows, indicating that the city is well-equipped to fight dragons. She also sees that the queen\u2019s attendants all have silver hair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 31 \u2013 33<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Aaric is willing to fight, but Xaden insists on being the champion, since he\u2019s stronger. The priestess also chooses Dain and Violet to fight with Xaden. She cuts each one of them with a knife as they are selected. Unnbriel brings forth three champions as well. <\/p>\n With difficulty, they manage to win two of their three matches (Dain loses her). Bolts of lightning are let off when Violet is angry. She dismisses it as a coincidence because there\u2019s not supposed to be magic here (though Mira points out that Violet still has ber bond with her dragons here). Afterwards, it\u2019s revealed that Violet\u2019s opponent, Marlis<\/strong>, is their queen. <\/p>\n Marlis asks what they want to talk about and Violet says they\u2019re looking for the seventh breed of dragon and for allies to fight with them in the brewing was (against the venin). Unfortunately, Marlis responds that the seventh breed is not here and that they can\u2019t afford the price to afford their fighting abilities, since their price is \u201cthe same thing everyone in the isles craves \u2014 Dragons\u201d. <\/p>\n Marlis says that what they want is dragon eggs (12, two of each breed) since baby dragons will be more malleable and controllable. Violet bristles at the suggestion, but Marlis says to keep it in mind when they start getting desperate. <\/p>\n A day and thirteen hours later, they arrive at Vidirys, the capitol of Hedotis, on the next isle. It\u2019s a place built up on the ideas of community, peace and wisdom. They note how strange it is that it\u2019s a coastal city with no port. The customs here dictate that they have to prove their wisdom into to meet with the ruling triumvirate.<\/p>\n They\u2019re approached by twelve people, one of whom identifies himself as Faris<\/strong>, second in the triumvirate. Faris then introduces his wife, Talia<\/strong>, who turns out to be Xaden\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 34 \u2013 37<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Xaden soon hides away, refusing to see his mother who desperately wants to spend some time with him. Xaden is angry with her, given how long it\u2019s been since he\u2019s seen his mother. <\/p>\n Note<\/p>\n They soon discover that Xaden\u2019s mother has two kids (Xaden\u2019s half brothers), Simeon and Gaius. Xaden bitterly notes that she left and built a whole new family.<\/p>\n Privately, Violet decides to give Talia a vial of dried arinmint that she brought as part if a medkit so that Talia can smoothe things over with Xaden, since Talia used to tell him bedtime stories while serving arinmint tea.<\/p>\n Xaden reluctantly attends dinner that night with the group, and the tea is served. In addition to Faris, the two other triumvirate members are there too, Nairi and Roslyn. As the dinner starts, they question why Xaden has chosen not to pursue an alliance with Cat, saying that the two of them choosing to marry would be a \u201cwise\u201d alliance. Xaden of course rejects the idea. <\/p>\n Xaden\u2019s mother tells him that his father, Fenn, wouldn\u2019t let her take him with her because he was Tyrrendor\u2019s heir, but Xaden says that she left him knowing full well a war was coming. <\/p>\n There is a heated discussion as they talk about the potential of an alliance, but they seem to be making progress. However, soon a chocolate cake is brought out, with Talia saying that she remembers how much Xaden used to love it. Before he can take a bite, Violet signals to him to stop eating when she realizes that Talia must\u2019ve been warned they were coming to prepare this for him and that her surprised reaction before was fake. Violet surmises that there must be something these people are hiding. However, Garrick has already taken a bite and collapses. <\/p>\n Chradh, his dragon, senses his distress and immediately burns down part of the forest. Faris reveals that he was the one who poisoned the cake to test their wisdom, and Talia is enraged with her husband. Violet then reveals that she poisoned them all as well with the tea, which should be kicking in soon. The rest of them already took the antidote. She offers to exchange antidotes with Faris, but he refuses. <\/p>\n Violet then thinks to question the cook and notices the blue color on his hands. With that information, Violet identifies the poison as zakia berries.(Ridoc is nearly stabbed by the cook in the process). Violet then gets her father\u2019s field guide where he has noted the antidote (fig or lime) and quickly administers it to Garrick.<\/p>\n With Garrick safe, Violet negotiates with Faris, demanding an alliance. She says that if he has to agree and stick to his word because he knows that he\u2019d never be elected to power again if they told the general populace what happened tonight, that he was outsmarted in his own home. She also tells him that they have one dragon who isn\u2019t there tonight (Andarna) who is next to the house where his sons are and is going to stay there until they are safely off the isle. <\/p>\n They depart and eventually reach the second to last of the major isles, Zehylla. As they fly over, they seeing people waving to them, which is an unusual response. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 38 \u2013 40<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n As they land, Violet senses the magic there, though it\u2019s muted compared to the magic on the continent. They see a crowd has gathered, having already been informed of their arrival. A woman named Calixta greets them and says that they are all to receive gifts, and it\u2019s clear that they need to accept with gratitude whatever \u201cgift\u201d they are given regardless of what it is. They are each to draw from a deck of cards which will determine what gift they get. The people here worship Zihnal<\/strong>, the god of luck.<\/p>\n The gifts are mainly a mix of items ranging from oranges to useless items and even a kitten until finally Trager draws a card with an arrow. Before they can react, he is shot by an arrow and killed. His gryphon, Silaraine, dies immediately after due to their bond. With much difficulty, Violet thanks them for the gift. <\/p>\n Later, the squad mourns the deaths privately and makes plans to burn them on an uninhabited isle. Cat, who had recently formed a romantic connection with Trager, is especially upset. The dragons and gryphons are also exhausted after having spent the day sweeping the isle for signs of the irids, who do not seem to be on the island. The only good news is that Mira and Aaric have confirmed that they\u2019ve agreed to an alliance and to provide 40,000 troops in the war against the dark wielders.<\/p>\n The next day, the burial happens, and Violet notes that there\u2019s more magic on this uninhabited isle than there was at Zehylla. There is a volcanic formation nearby and what appears to be many unmapped islands around them. Violet comes up with a plan to split up into groups and spend the day quickly surveying the area before moving on. However, as they rest before heading out, Violet is approached by a dragon and she realizes they\u2019ve located the seventh breed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 41 \u2013 43<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n They quickly realize that the dragons are able to speak to all of them telepathically if they choose. When they see that Andarna is also irid, they refer to her as the \u201ccriterion\u201d. They are uninterested in the humans. They tell Andarna that there are hundreds of them, but they do not bond with humans. <\/p>\n They ask Andarna about her life, but are increasingly displeased by the answers. After Andarna tells them everything, they say that Violet has failed their test. They explain that Andarna was intentionally left behind as the \u201ccriterion\u201d \u2014 a way to measure humanity\u2019s growth and \u201cability to choose tranquility and harmony\u201d. However, Andarna\u2019s story indicates that she\u2019s been used as a weapon since she was a juvenile and forced to grow up prematurely. <\/p>\n They also criticize Tairn for gifting Violet with lightning and accuse of Andarna for weaponizing her magic for Violet as well. The dragons decline to help them, saying that they do not seek peace, but victory. Andarna does not accept their criticisms, and the irids tells her that she not allowed entrance on their isle and will not instruct her in their ways. <\/p>\n As they talk, Violet ask them about a cure once someone has become venin. The dragons respond that there is no cure. They explain that dark wielding kills the soul piece by piece and there is no way to recover it from death. Xaden\u2019s eyes turn red for a moment as they speak angrily, and Ridoc notices. When the dragons leave, Ridoc demands to know what\u2019s going on. <\/p>\n When the others return, Violet, Ridoc and Xaden explain what happened. Violet tells Ridoc the truth about Xaden and that Garrick, Bodhi and Imogen also know. Ridoc is very concerned and presses her state where the line is where she\u2019d admit that he isn\u2019t himself anymore. Violet says that if he hurt her friends, dragons, a civilian or her, then she\u2019d know. <\/p>\n The group soon returns to Deverelli, a trip that takes ten days. Andarna is still brokenhearted about the recent events. They then fly home to Basgiath where they know a court-martial awaits them for ignoring their orders to return back after each isle. <\/p>\n Upon her return, Violet gets a note from Theophanie reminding her that she has what Violet seeks. They also learn that Suniva was attacked by dark wielders and fell, and now Queen Maraya is dead. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 44<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Now that they\u2019re back, they are questioned individually about their mission. Luckily, King Tauri is so relieved about Aaric being alive that he has forbidden any sort of punishment. When Violet is released again and fully briefed on the news, she realizes how many cities have fallen to dark wielders in a short amount of time. <\/p>\n At Battle Brief, they discuss in depth the fall of Suniva. They\u2019re told that the dark wielders flew over their walls and engulfed the city in fire. It was the work of twelve wyvern and twelve dark wielders, and 25,000 people died. As they deconstruct the situation, they discuss how there had been six crates of alloy daggers (which can kill dark wielders) that had just been shipped there since it was supposed to be a distribution site. The conclusion they reach is that there must be traitors in their ranks since that the venin likely knew that the shipment would be there. Violet also realizes that Theophanie was probably one of them since the reason they were able to travel undetected is that they managed to travel within a thundercloud. <\/p>\n Afterwards, Violet does what she\u2019d promised Ridoc she would do and tells Sawyer, Jesinia and Rhiannon the truth about Xaden turning venin. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 45 \u2013 46<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n A few days later, Violet opens a package that contains a Deverelli silk nightgown made out of material she\u2019d been eyeing when they were there. There\u2019s a note indicating that it\u2019s from Xaden. The next day they have maneuvers class, led by Kaori, and Violet gives Xaden a handwritten note afterwards with an onyx bracelet made of a piece of the turret from Riorson House. <\/p>\n A report from Aretia comes in and it\u2019s clear that the wards are beginning to fail. In the next few weeks, Violet continues her training and trying to hone her signet. Meanwhile, Xaden is called away to deal with affairs in Tyrrendor and Andarna is still off being upset somewhere. <\/p>\n A short while later, there is a rucus when Xaden decides that he is going to open the borders of Tyrrendor to all Poromish civilians. Halden commands him to do otherwise, but Xaden resists. Xaden also decides to step down from his professorship in order to focus on dealings in Tyr and to get away. Meanwhile, one of the studenrs, Lynx, manifests his signet powers and it turns out he is also a shadow wielder. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 47 \u2013 49<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Shortly after, Sawyer (who lost a leg in the previous book), tries flying with a prosthesis for the first time, and the group cheers when he\u2019s able to get on his dragon, Sliseag. <\/p>\n The group, led by Kaori, then heads to Aretia, where they get settled in to Riorson House. Brennan comes to see Violet, and he says that he knows about Xaden and they\u2019ve been doing everything they can think of to try to fix it with no avail. But Xaden hasn\u2019t given up yet and that gives Violet hope. <\/p>\n When Xaden comes to see her, it has been 70 days since he\u2019s channeled since he\u2019s trying to prove to himself that he can control himself. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapter 50<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Violet soon tells Xaden about a re-occurring dream she\u2019s been having where she\u2019s being held by a dark wielder and she\u2019s unable to help Andarna. The dream also hints that they want something from her and in it the hold the Sword of Tyrrendor up against her neck to threaten her. As she describes her surroundings in the dream, Xaden identifies it as Draithus. He also says that he knows he\u2019s the dark wielder in her dream since she\u2019s been appearing in his dream, too. <\/p>\n Violet also says that she\u2019s had other nightmares with others in them. As they discuss, Xaden suggests that Violet may be a dream walker. <\/p>\n Soon after, Tairn informs them they\u2019re under attack. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 51 \u2013 53<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n As Xaden shouts out orders, Aaric tells Violet that protecting Dunne\u2019s temple is the key to saving Tyrrendor. Once the battle is underway, Tairn and Violet quickly takes out a few wyvern, but they see Theophanie who gets away. When Rhi tries to chase her, Violet tells her not to because she knows Theophanie is too strong for Rhiannon alone. <\/p>\n When Tairn is injured, they head to Dunne\u2019s temple to find Andarna there. Violet prepares for an attack, but suddenly Theophanie appears, telling her that she will let the others live if Violet comes with her. One of the priestesses of the temple calls Theophanie a \u201cheretic\u201d and Violet realizes that Theophanie was once a priestess of the temple. <\/p>\n Two other dark wielders join her, but suddenly Theophanie notices something and tells them to flee, and all three disappear. Violet then looks to the skies and sees four wyvern, but then realizes they are falling from the skies. When things calm down, Violet realizes that one of the irids have come, and Leothan (the irid) informs them that he has fired their wardstone so it is fully functional. <\/p>\n After the battle, Leothan talks to Andarna and explains that he came back mostly to bring Andarna home and give her a chance to be instructed in their ways. He says that as an irid, Andarna is capable of shaping and changing bonds in a way the other dragons cannot (which is how she was able to form the second bond with Violet in the first place). As such, she can choose to break her bond with Violet and return to her true home. Andarna considers it and then, with Violet\u2019s encouragement, breaks the bond. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 54 \u2013 56<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n After the battle, Violet mourns the absence of Andarna while outside people cheer that Aretia is safe. Meanwhile, civilians from Pomoriel have begun to stream in as Xaden struggles to figure out how to feed them. Outside the borders, attacks have intensified. <\/p>\n Mira and Brennan go to see Violet, and they discuss the summer their parents left the two of them with Grandma Niara. Their mother didn\u2019t journal those months and afterwards they cut off contact with their grandmother. Mira says their parents took Violet to be dedicated to Dunne at the temple, but they refused to complete the ritual because Violet\u2019s future was uncertain and something about the potential for a heart for or within her to turn dark. <\/p>\n Xaden stops the discussion and admits that he\u2019s the one whose heart beats for her and he has channeled. <\/p>\n Training continues. One night Xaden dreams and Violet is there, when they awake they are informed that the venin have reached the walls of Draithus. They send a message to tell Xaden that he has five hours to deliver them Bodhi and Violet or else Mira dies. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 57 \u2013 59<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Along with the other riders and fliers, they try to come up with a plan to fight back at Draithus and save Mira. As they\u2019re talking, Xaden realizes they don\u2019t want Bodhi, they want Jack (they referred to him as Xaden\u2019s \u201cbrother\u201d). <\/p>\n Brennan tells Violet that she needs to choose what her objective is, since they can\u2019t save everyone. He says that Violet wants to choose everyone over herself and Xaden only wants to save Violet. If they\u2019re aiming for different things, then they\u2019ll fail. Violet decides that they need to kill Theophanie. <\/p>\n As they near Draithus, they hear that Aaric was seen flying south. At the wall, they see Theophanie holding Mira and a group of wyvern holding her dragon, Teine, captive. <\/p>\n Garrick soon arrives with Jack, and Violet demands that Mira be let go. However, Theophanie tells Violet that she never agreed to let Mira live and also that she lies, and she slits Mira\u2019s throat. <\/p>\n Brennan rushes to save Mira as the battle erupts. Brennan nears the limits of his powers when Dain shows up with Sloane (whose signet is being able to absorb and redistribute others\u2019 powers). Quickly, she siphons power from Dain and feeds it into Brennan until Mira is healed. Sloane has also brought a package belonging to Aaric that is from Dunne, which Violet pockets. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 60 \u2013 62<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n As Tairn moves an injured Teine off the field, Violet waits on the field with Bodhi, knowing that Theophanie will come find her. Predictably, Theophanie shows up. She knows that Theophanie is faster and more skilled so she waits for her to get closer. <\/p>\n However, when she does, Violet realizes that Theophanie is not a lightning wielder like she had thought. Based on the atmosphere around them she realizes that Theophanie is a storm wielder so the plan she had in mind will not work. Violet\u2019s mother was also a storm wielder, but Theophanie\u2019s skills are stronger. <\/p>\n Violet tells Bodhi to flee as Theophanie builds up a tornado around them and demands that Violet channel to become one of them. Violet manages to stab her in the thigh. They scuffle.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a horde of people from Poromiel are trying to get past Medaro Pass into the safety of Aretia. Rhiannon is in command as a seventeen wyvern appear, against three dragons and four gryphons. They begin to fight. <\/p>\n Back on the field, Violet is preoccupied with keeping Theophanie occupied for as long as possible. She runs on to the carcass of a wyvern to prevent being drained by Theophanie. When Tairn finally returns, Theophanie leaves to join the attack and Violet sees there are over a hundred of wyvern in the sky. Violet charges for Theophanie and tries to take as many wyvern out as possible along the way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chapters 63 \u2013 65<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Imogen and her dragon Glane work on taking out wyvern when she sees dark wielders heading for the turret where Quinn is making her projections. Imogen hurries there to fight with Quinn, but Quinn is stabbed and dies. Imogen reflects on how she and Quinn became best friends as Quinn stops breathing. Garrick shows up to take Imogen and Quinn\u2019s body to safety. <\/p>\n Violet chases Theophanie down, determined to take her out, but she and Tairn are caught in a massive net and run into a mountain and Violet breaks her arm. Tairn lets her know they they\u2019ve captured Sgaeyl (Xaden\u2019s dragon) as well. Violet knows they need to get out of there, and she remembers Aaric\u2019s package. It says \u201cFor when you lose yours. Strike in the dark, Violet.\u201d <\/p>\n There is a grey marble dagger (comes from the marble from the temple of Dunne) and a note from the high priestess warning that \u201conly those touched by the gods should wield their wrath\u201d. <\/p>\n As Theophanie approaches them, Violet wields repeatedly as Tairn works on freeing himself from the netting. Violet tries to talk about Unnbriel where Theophanie was once a priestess in order to catch her off guard. As they exchange words, Violet senses a darkness descending (\u201cdevouring the field in the fury of an onyx storm\u201d) which she knows is Xaden using his shadow powers to an extent that surpasses what he could accomplish with Sgaeyl alone. <\/p>\n As everything goes dark, Violet thinks about Aaric\u2019s note and realizes that he is a true precog. While Melgren can forsee battles, Aaric\u2019s powers are greater. <\/p>\n Using the dagger (\u201ca weapon made of the fractured temple-a temple Theophanie can\u2019t step inside\u201d), Violet wields in the darkness as Aaric\u2019s note instructs. In doing so, the light from the bolt allows her to see Theophanie as she falls. Then Violet sees Andarna stalking towards Theophanie. As Theophanie reaches for Andarna, Violet uses her dagger to stab her. <\/p>\n Theophanie is confused since the dagger is made of stone, but Violet tells her it\u2019s from Dunne\u2019s temple and that \u201cDunne is a wrathful goddess to high priestesses who turn her backs to Her.\u201d Theophanie is desiccated by the blade, and Violet then releases a bolt that burns her alive.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Sgaeyl is injured. Xaden stands before two venin, one of whom is Panchek who has turned venin. In additional to being pissed about his traitorous nature, Xaden can\u2019t attack him because he is bonded to him through their Sage (due to a dark magic bond), Berwyn. Xaden watches as Berwyn kills Panchek\u2019s dragon. <\/p>\n In order to prevent Berwyn from killing Sgaeyl, Xaden channels, and Xaden feels his soul depart. <\/p>\n When Violet awakes, the battle has been won, she is in Aretia and people are looking for Xaden. There are dead dragons and missing eggs. On Violet\u2019s finger there is a ring and she has a paper indicating that she and Xaden have been legally married by the head priestess of Dunne\u2019s temple. There\u2019s also a handwritten note from Xaden saying \u201cDon\u2019t look for me. It\u2019s yours now\u201d. <\/p>\n Violet struggles to remember what has happened in the past twelve hours, and she asks Imogen what\u2019s going on (since Imogen can erase memories), and Imogen tells her that she did what Violet asked her to (indicating that she asked Imogen to erase her memory). <\/p>\n If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site<\/b> by leaving a tip<\/a> ($2<\/a>, $3<\/a>, or $5<\/a>) or joining the Patreon<\/a>! <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n \n\t\t\tBook Details\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
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