With November passing and December snow falling, command remains silent about the Sumerton raid. Violet grows frustrated that she still cannot channel while most classmates can. During squad hand-to-hand, she spars with Rhiannon as Xaden and Garrick’s intense bout distracts the gym. Jack Barlowe taunts Violet about her weakness and threatens a challenge until Liam and Xaden shut him down, Xaden literally barring the doors. Dain scolds the squad; Xaden confronts Violet about training without armor and urges her to abandon the staff for daggers, needling Dain by alluding to Amber’s betrayal. Violet notices the scar-laced expanse of Xaden’s dragon relic.

Later, alone in her room, a violent surge rips through Violet as Tairn finally channels. The agony recedes, leaving a vast, prowling power inside her. Almost immediately, waves of lust crash over her—Tairn and Sgaeyl’s coupling bleeding through the bond—driving her into the hall, where she nearly misdirects that need toward Liam before recognizing the danger and fleeing.

At the river steps, Violet finds Xaden smoking churam to dull dragon bleed-over. After a brief flare of jealousy over Liam, he offers a crash course in shielding. He guides her to ground herself by envisioning the Archives, identify the flow of Tairn’s power, and mentally shut and lock a door against it. Violet surprisingly succeeds on the first attempt, muting the overwhelming desire; Xaden admits he took weeks to learn the same.

Their relief ignites into heat, and they share a fierce, consuming kiss. As it intensifies, Xaden suddenly breaks away, insisting he won’t act on desire that might not be fully hers. Violet retreats to the citadel, torn between newfound control and the unresolved, dangerous pull between them.