CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Violet is caught mid-fall by Tairn during flight trials and discovers he has chosen her as his rider. After an exhilarating and terrifying aerial display, they land in the training field where Violet must report her dragon's name to the roll-keeper—only to be shocked when the golden dragon, Andarna, reveals she has also bonded to Violet, an unprecedented occurrence that causes uproar among the assembled riders, generals, and spectators.

Violet plummets during her flight with Tairn but he catches her in his claws, revealing he has chosen her despite her physical weakness. During their dramatic flight back to the training fields, Tairn demonstrates his power through acrobatic maneuvers while magically holding Violet secure in her seat. He communicates telepathically, explaining he chose her for her intelligence, cunning, courage, and because she saved the golden dragon during Threshing. As they approach the training fields, Violet observes hundreds of gathered dragons and spectators, including her mother General Lilith Sorrengail and Commanding General Melgren on the dais. Tairn lands in the center of the field, and Violet dismounts despite her injured ankle. She briefly speaks with the golden dragon, who surprises her by breaking protocol to communicate. As Violet approaches the roll-keeper to record her bonding, her mother watches with interest only in the dragon, not her daughter's welfare. When asked to state her dragon's name, Violet reports Tairneanach. Moments later, the golden dragon—revealing her name as Andarnaurram (Andarna)—telepathically insists Violet disclose that she too has bonded to her, shocking everyone present.