Chapter Forty-Six
Contains spoilersOverview
Violet practices tempering a hearing rune while Xaden reveals he modified her dagger with a need-based unlocking rune and explains a protection rune that triggered the rebellion relics at the executions. A week later, rider–flier tensions force sanctioned challenges and a looming squad–drift merger. After several bouts, Cat challenges Violet, whose defense exposes that Cat fights like Xaden, revealing shared training.
Summary
Days after Xaden returns from ferrying weapons to the Stonewater front, Violet practices a complex hearing-enhancement rune in his room. He teases help, but she persists, testing her latest attempt and realizing it lacks a directional cue. Their intimacy is punctuated by work—Warrick’s journal, armor, and the practical constraints of class schedules.
When Violet asks about runes, Xaden explains he tempered her dagger with an unlocking rune keyed to sensed need, meaning it would open only when necessary. He then reveals the small stone by his bed bears an intricate, one-use protection rune, last known by Colonel Mairi, placed into 107 stones for the officers’ children. It triggered upon their parents’ dragonfire executions, later manifesting as the rebellion relics. Violet withholds harder questions about his deal with her mother, choosing not to risk their fragile calm.
A week later in the packed sparring gym, Professors Devera, Emetterio, and the fliers’ Professor Kiandra confront ongoing hostility. They impose the Dragon Rider’s Codex on all, declare six hours of sanctioned one-on-one challenges between same-year cadets, and announce that rider squads will absorb flier drifts, forcing integration.
Rhiannon orders Iron Squad to move as one from mat to mat. Trager challenges Rhiannon and loses; Bragen knocks Quinn unconscious; Imogen and Neve fight to a draw. Then Devera calls Catriona Cordella versus Violet. Disarmed and without signets, Violet meets Cat’s charge “for Luella,” counters cleanly, and realizes Cat’s style mirrors Xaden’s. The bout continues with Violet recognizing they share a trainer.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Practices a hearing rune, learns about runic protections, and faces Cat in a sanctioned challenge.
- Xaden Riorson
Reveals need-based unlocking rune and protection rune origin of rebellion relics; has trained both Violet and Cat.
- Catriona (Cat) Cordella
Tempers runes early, needles Violet, then challenges her, fighting “for Luella.”
- Rhiannon Matthias
Leads Iron Squad’s response and defeats Trager in a quick challenge.
- Imogen Curman
Advises Violet and fights Neve to a bloody draw.
- Emetterio
Instructor who imposes challenges and codex rules to address rider–flier conflict.
- Professor Devera
Announces integration, absorbs drifts into squads, and calls Cat versus Violet.
- Professor Kiandra
Fliers’ professor; enforces codex compliance and stresses unity for survival.
- Bragen
Stocky third-year flier who knocks Quinn unconscious during challenges.
- Quinn
Rider cadet knocked out by Bragen in a swift bout.
- Trager
Flier who challenges Rhiannon and loses within minutes.
- Neve
Third-year flier who battles Imogen to a draw.
- Sloane Mairi
Supports Violet before the match, urging her to beat Cat.
- Ridoc
Iron Squad member providing commentary; present for challenge lineup.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; offers blunt tactical advice before the fight.
- Andarna
Young dragon; suggests eye-gouging before Violet mutes the bond.
- Maren
Tries to dissuade Cat from challenging Violet.