Chapter Fifty-Four

Summary

• A dark shape, presumably a dragon, attacks and propels the characters into a cave wall.
• The protagonist (name not provided) is concerned for a character named Cat, who is third in line to a throne and whose survival is critical.
• During the attack, another dragon named Andarna uses her wings to shield the group from fire.
• Despite the intense heat, Andarna's fireproof trait allows her to protect the others from dragonfire.
• Andarna instructs the group not to breathe to avoid inhaling the flames and damaging their lungs.
• After the fire blast, Cat extinguishes the tips of burning feathers on Kira's wing which were exposed to the flames.
• The protagonist uses her own body to shield Cat during an assault from Solas, the dragon they face.
• As Solas assesses the protagonist, Tairn sets a three-minute timeline for survival.
• Others discuss how to kill a dragon while Cat asks to be released, indicating her power is being drained.
• The protagonist then hurls knives at Solas, blinding him in one eye and creating an opening for escape.
• Cat and Sloane manage to escape through the opening as Solas flails violently.
• The protagonist's hand is injured by glass, and she uses the remnants of a broken conduit as a weapon.
• Andarna, the dragon, distracts Solas and the protagonist takes advantage of this distraction.
• Using the conduit, the protagonist forcefully channels energy into Solas, though the dragon retaliates, injuring her.
• The protagonist is knocked out, and senses Liam's presence, although it’s actually Sloane dragging her to safety.
• Cat continues to attack Solas with arrows as they all retreat from the cave with Andarna's help.
• Solas's scream and silence indicate that Andarna may have killed him.
• Tairn reassures the protagonist that Andarna survives, and Sloane realizes she has become a siphon, a type of magic user.
• Andarna emerges with evidence that she has poisoned and killed Solas.
• The narrative shifts to a healer checking the protagonist's condition after the fight with Solas.
• Xaden, another character, enters the room and is shocked to see Cat there, who reveals she saved the protagonist's life.
• Xaden and the protagonist discuss the events in the cave, with Xaden questioning why she would save Cat considering their relationship.
• The protagonist explains her actions were not only due to selflessness but also motivated by the potential consequences of Cat's death to Xaden.
• A heated exchange follows between the protagonist and Xaden concerning their relationship, sacrifices, and the protagonist's willingness to risk herself for him.
• The discussion concludes with Xaden asking if the protagonist is ready to learn about the deal he made with her mother.