Violet lands at Samara near nightfall in a panic heightened by Tairn’s primal-mode emotions, desperate to confirm Xaden’s condition. Inside the damaged outpost she notes breached walls and infantry triage, then meets Mira, who confirms she’s unharmed and directs Violet to Xaden in the sparring gym.

Violet finds Xaden actively sparring Garrick, uninjured in appearance, which flips her terror into rage. Recognizing Violet’s loss of emotional control, Xaden carries her to the bathing chamber and shocks her with cold water so she can raise her shields. They argue over her unauthorized leave and his jealousy about Bodhi’s jacket, revealing she fled Brief the moment she heard Xaden was wounded.

Xaden shows a fresh, mended gash on his arm, proving he was seriously injured, and admits he wouldn’t have waited for proof if Violet had been hurt. The confrontation shifts to their stalemate over sex and trust: Violet demands he risk his heart first; Xaden refuses to weaponize sex or confess under the influence of desire, insisting he’s fighting for her without manipulation.

Violet offers only “I need you” and forces a choice. Xaden yields, and they have urgent sex in the showers, their magic flaring—her lightning briefly flashes and his shadows smother it—while he finally loses control for her. Afterward, they breathe, reconnect, and acknowledge the bond between them without the three words.

Xaden lays out options: stay and repeat, go to his room, or deliver the daggers. Violet immediately chooses the mission, and they hurry to clean up and depart for the rendezvous to drop the daggers.