Violet and Tairn reach the remote Samara outpost, where the wards thrum stronger than at Montserrat. Tairn warns of a drift just across the border, pressing the stakes. Finding Xaden’s room empty, Violet follows their bond into the sublevel and discovers a pit fight where riders brawl for limited leave passes.

Xaden, shirtless and holding back, toys with Lieutenant Jarrett until Violet urges him through the bond to end it. He drops Jarrett decisively, claims the pass, and immediately limits it to twenty-four hours, returning the rest. After the crowd disperses, Violet and Xaden reunite; a heated kiss follows, but he stops before it becomes sex.

Xaden sets a boundary: he won’t use sex to win her back and wants trust and love, not just her body. Violet struggles with desire versus unresolved trust. They move to his room, where she cleans up and he brings food, revealing the isolation and harsh culture of Samara, including searches targeting rebellion-marked lieutenants.

Discussing weapons, Xaden confirms the daggers’ gray medallions are a special alloy capable of holding power. He explains outposts stockpile such items to boost and extend wards, which must be periodically re-imbued by riders. Aretia needs a forge—dragonfire and a luminary—to produce more. He withholds deeper classified details but shares enough to align their efforts.

They close the night by working on Violet’s mental shields despite her fatigue, reinforcing that tactical preparation and rebuilding trust must precede any physical reconciliation.