On a snowy ridge outside Aretia, Felix tests Violet’s lightning and exposes her lack of aim and control, blaming Carr’s training. He insists she must learn precision and smaller, directed releases rather than uncontrolled sky strikes. When Violet’s emotions trigger a near-miss, Felix hands her a rune-etched glass conduit designed to draw and store measured strands of her power, explaining she is the vessel and can shape and route lightning—even from her hands. He orders a week of practice and vows not to continue unless the conduit shows stored power.

Resolved but pressed by urgent needs, Violet decides to secure a luminary from Viscount Tecarus by offering a demonstration, despite Xaden’s prohibition. She recruits Mira and Brennan; Brennan will negotiate on the Assembly’s behalf. Acknowledging the risk that Tecarus might keep her rather than kill her, they depart before dawn with Tairn, Teine, and Marbh, while Rhiannon covers their absence.

They reach Cordyn’s gleaming, undefended seaside terraces and are intercepted by gryphon escorts and armed fliers. Brennan warns that fliers’ lesser-magics often involve mindwork. At the lawn before the palace, a central flier—revealed as a truth-sayer—demands one truth from each: Violet aims to wield lightning in exchange for help, Brennan seeks a luminary for weapons, and Mira threatens anyone who endangers Violet.

Once satisfied, the gryphons part to reveal Xaden waiting in black, livid that Violet disobeyed him. His furious greeting halts their approach to Tecarus, setting up an immediate confrontation and jeopardizing Violet’s risky plan to win a luminary through her power.