CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Contains spoilersOverview
Violet and Xaden navigate the aftermath of their night together, setting hard emotional boundaries despite intense attraction. Violet discovers a hidden letter from her father warning that history can be erased, echoing fables of venin and wyvern. During Reunification Day, she faces the king and General Melgren, defends Xaden’s loyalty, and witnesses hostility toward Liam. Refusing to avoid the pain of the day, she tracks a grieving Xaden to the parapet.
Summary
Morning after their explosive night, Xaden visits Violet’s wrecked room, offering help and steadying her after Carr’s grueling lightning training. Seeking honesty, Violet asks about a past disappearance; Xaden admits he’d gone to Athebyne but forbids details. When a damaged book of fables splits, Violet finds a hidden letter from her father warning that one desperate generation can erase history, mirroring tales of venin, wyvern, and the dangers of drawing power from the earth.
Their attraction reignites, but Violet refuses sex without acknowledging feelings. Xaden insists there’s “no future,” citing graduation and their dragons’ bond; she ends it until she’s willing to risk her heart and throws him out, demanding a new throwing target when he “comes to his senses.”
At lunch, the tension continues via charged looks and mindspeak until Violet flusters Xaden with a provocative message. In Battle Brief, on the anniversary of Brennan’s death, their private argument escalates; when Violet needles about “someone else,” Xaden snaps her name aloud. Put on the spot, he proposes Mira could reinforce failing wards, while Violet suggests sending third-years to rebuild them. Devera orders dress uniforms for Reunification fireworks.
That night, the quadrants gather. Liam escorts Violet, enduring stares at his rebellion relic. The king, General Melgren, and General Sorrengail question Violet’s power and Xaden’s whereabouts; Violet vouches for his loyalty while her mother notes the mated dragons. After Dain subtly distracts the royals, Violet and Liam slip away.
In the Riders courtyard, Violet grounds and senses Tairn, Andarna, Sgaeyl—and Xaden’s shadows—then follows them to the parapet. Garrick and Bodhi warn she shouldn’t see him on Reunification night, but Violet claims, “I’m just…his,” removes her slippers, and steps onto the parapet to face him.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Protagonist; finds her father’s hidden warning, sets boundaries with Xaden, defends him to the king, and seeks him on the parapet.
- Xaden Riorson
Wingleader; admits a trip to Athebyne, resists commitment, broods on Reunification, and isolates on the parapet.
- Liam Mairi
Violet’s loyal friend and guard; endures stares over his rebellion relic, escorts her, and helps her leave the party.
- General Lilith Sorrengail
Violet’s mother; showcases Violet to the king, highlights her power and mated dragons, maintains political poise.
- King Tauri
Monarch presiding over Reunification; probes Violet’s power and Xaden’s loyalty; publicly inspects cadets.
- General Melgren
Seer general; appraises Violet and Liam, asks after Riorson, and embodies unsettling scrutiny.
- Dain Aetos
Wingleader; lauded in class, then distracts the royals so Violet and Liam can slip away.
- Rhiannon
Friend; contributes ward strategy in class, attends the celebration with Violet.
- Garrick
Xaden’s friend; warns Violet not to see Xaden tonight at the parapet opening.
- Bodhi
Xaden’s friend; confirms Xaden is out beyond the wall and cautions Violet.
- Ridoc
Friend; banters at lunch and en route to the celebration.
- Sawyer
Friend; brings news the king will celebrate at Basgiath; attends lunch and the event.
- Imogen
Marked cadet; jokes about graduation at lunch; absent from the party with other marked ones.
- Professor Devera
Battle Brief instructor; guides ward strategy discussion and mandates attendance at Reunification fireworks.
- Violet’s father
Deceased scribe; his hidden letter warns history can be erased, echoing dangerous fables.