Chapter Sixty-Five

Summary

• The chapter opens with the protagonist hearing the sound of wyvern bodies thudding down in the ward chamber.
• Andarna, a character with golden eyes, appears briefly to seek forgiveness before returning to a doorway.
• The protagonist is experiencing emotional turmoil, witnessing a companion, Brennan, draping his flight jacket over his mother's body.
• The protagonist is promised survival by Tairn and learns through Dunne that Xaden, with whom she has a bond, is alive.
• Exiting the southwest tower, the protagonist observes a victorious celebration with cheers and gratitude towards the gods.
• A character named Dain covered in blood attempts to approach the protagonist, Violet, but is pushed aside by Rhiannon who is elated with their victory.
• Rhiannon reports on the condition of their comrades and learns about the death of Violet's mother in service to the wardstone.
• Violet struggles with her emotions and seeks to find Tairn and Xaden as a way of coping.
• The leadership discusses the gravity of the attack and realizes that the kingdom's citizens will soon learn the truth they've been hiding.
• Violet encounters Tairn and Andarna, who insinuate that they need to have an urgent discussion.
• Sgaeyl, a dragon, allows Violet to proceed to Xaden, who is standing at the edge of a ravine.
• Xaden reveals that he killed his father, thus snapping their connection and his body is now within the ravine.
• It is disclosed that Violet's mother sacrificed herself using another character, Sloane, to power a life-saving wardstone.
• Xaden expresses sympathy for Violet's loss, despite the fact that her mother killed his father.
• Violet and Xaden discuss the necessity of their return to Aretia as the wards there are weakening.
• The chapter closes with a dramatic revelation from Xaden, indicating that Violet should fear him, as his eyes display an ominous red ring, suggesting a deeper threat.