Violet arrives at Viscount Tecarus’s opulent palace in Cordyn with Xaden, Mira, and Brennan, sparring verbally with Xaden over sneaking into enemy territory. Tecarus greets them warmly but refuses business until dinner and orders them dressed for the occasion, revealing his niece Catriona will assist. Xaden’s familiarity with the palace and the existence of his own room unsettle Violet.

In their chambers, Xaden warns that many gryphon fliers would kill Violet and Mira for revenge against their mother and admits terror of losing Violet after Basgiath. Violet rejects his overprotection, comparing him to Dain, and shuts him out. While Zara dresses the sisters, she notes Tecarus “collects” rare things but doesn’t kidnap, implying he tempts people to stay.

Cat needles Violet with barbed comments about appearance and Navarre’s wartime lies, while Syrena arrives and half-jokingly defuses tension, calling Violet their best weapon against dark wielders. On the way to dinner, Cat keeps prodding until Tairn warns Violet to control her power. In the dining hall, Xaden strides to Violet, kisses her, and drops a wall of shadow, revealing Cat’s signet heightens emotions and has been pushing Violet toward jealousy and insecurity. Xaden apologizes for overreacting since Resson; Violet insists they still need the luminary.

Tecarus moves the gathering to an outdoor arena and praises the chaos Violet caused at Basgiath. Before negotiating, he demands a demonstration of Violet’s lightning against the Rybestad chest—an heirloom of Xaden’s father—on the condition Xaden not enter the arena and Violet not leave until she hits it. Xaden objects, but Violet accepts.

Mira accompanies Violet to the field, noting her own signet is ineffective far from wards. Violet admits her aim is rough despite training with Felix. From above, armed fliers ring the arena. Xaden confirms the chest once figured in his father’s attempted alliance, likely tied to Cat—fueling the spectacle’s pointed symbolism.

As Violet prepares to strike, the chest’s doors explode open. A man in tattered maroon stumbles out, bloodshot eyes laced with red-veined corruption. Xaden shouts a warning as Violet recognizes the truth: a venin has been released, turning Tecarus’s test into an immediate threat.