CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Summary

• The protagonist is still dealing with the aftermath of a night with Xaden, who enters the room after a knock on the door. They have a playful exchange about the mess in the room, but also discuss the protagonist's training.
• Xaden offers to help clean up the room, and the protagonist begins to feel an emotional connection with him. Despite this, Xaden tells her not to fall for him.
• The protagonist finds a hidden message from her deceased father in a book of fables. The note hints at some kind of conspiracy or danger related to magic and power, but Xaden and she can't decipher it completely.
• Despite Xaden's emotional unavailability and warning against falling for him, the protagonist tries to convince him that she's developing feelings. He rejects her again, leading to an argument between the two in which the protagonist states she is free to feel how she wants and that she thinks he has feelings for her too.
• The protagonist and Xaden meet again over a meal with friends and tease one another, even though Xaden stated earlier that he didn't want a romantic relationship.
• There are concerns that Xaden may be relocated after graduation due to his powerful abilities. The protagonist also suspects that Xaden might be seeing someone else, but he insists there's nothing going on.
• With graduation approaching, the students are preparing for a battlefield exercise and have to attend a celebration for the King’s holiday. Xaden and the protagonist have a private argument during a class, which ends with the protagonist annoyed and blocking him out.
• The protagonist prepares for the Reunification Day celebration and reconnects with her friends after the tension with Xaden. She is looking forward to being able to communicate with her loved ones once she graduates.

• The chapter opens with the main characters, including the protagonist, Violet, and her friends Liam, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Nadine, and Sawyer, attending an event at Basgiath’s main campus.
• Rhiannon and Nadine share some banter, before Rhiannon reveals that she’s taking a breather from her on-and-off relationship with Tara.
• Upon entering the courtyard, they observe the vibrant blend of various cadets, from healers, scribes, to the infantry, gathered together. They also notice the luxurious decorations of the courtyard, full of drapes, lights, and a string quartet playing music.
• Violet doesn't hear from Xaden, who she apparently expects to be at the ceremony.
• As they mingle among the crowd, Liam, who is known for his rebellious actions and possesses a relic from a rebellion, gets noticeably discomforting stares.
• Violet feels bad for Liam as most of the crowd is there to celebrate an event related to his mother's death, but he insists on staying put.
• Violet notes that neither Garrick, Bodhi, Imogen, nor Xaden is at the party. She feels Liam deserves better than being subjected to odd stares and whispered comments.
• Violet and Liam get a visit from King Tauri and General Melgren, questioning them about their abilities and their connections. The King and the General hold a condescending attitude towards Liam, and Violet's mother joins them, making snide remarks about their interpersonal relationships.
• King Tauri appears to be curious about why Xaden (the Riorson boy) is missing from the event since he had mandated that all "marked ones" should be present. Violet, evasively, suggests that Xaden is not fond of parties.
• Once the King and company leave, Violet and Liam decide to escape the party. Upon exiting, Violet confides to Liam about her connection to Xaden.
• Violet is guided towards the direction of Xaden by an inherent sense and urges Liam to leave her.
• Violet finds Garrick and Bodhi outside, who warn her against seeing Xaden that night. Ignoring their warnings, Violet decides to meet Xaden, stating that she belongs to him.