CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Violet discovers the social hierarchy has dramatically shifted following Threshing—riders now treat her with deference due to bonding the massive dragon Tairn, while unbonded cadets face ostracism. She attends her first flight lesson, where Tairn repeatedly drops her to force her to master staying mounted, and later accepts training from Imogen under orders from Xaden, while processing her confused feelings about Dain.

The chapter opens with Violet navigating her new private quarters in the first-year dormitory and observing the aftermath of Threshing. Social dynamics have inverted: cadets who previously ignored her now seek her company, while Jack Barlowe is being shunned for bonding a small dragon. Violet learns from Imogen that bonding Tairn—the largest dragon—makes her the quadrant's most powerful rider, triggering fear-based respect. At breakfast, second-years including Imogen and Quinn join Violet's table, with Imogen announcing she'll help strengthen Violet's muscles for challenges. Violet suspects this is an order from Xaden, confirmed when she catches him watching and signaling Imogen. During the first flight lesson on the field, Kaori instructs ninety-two first-year riders on mounted maneuvers. Tairn initially holds Violet in place with energy bands, but releases her when she argues she must learn independently. He deliberately drops her multiple times during complex maneuvers—dives, banks, spirals—catching her with his claws when she falls toward a glacier where another rider named Gleann was already lost. Violet persists in staying mounted despite the falls and bruises. Later, Dain intercepts Violet en route to the sparring gym, awkwardly clarifying that last night's kiss was a mistake due to regulations against relationships with superiors, as he's pursuing a wingleader position. He suggests they might pursue something after graduation if circumstances change. Violet realizes she feels relieved rather than disappointed, losing some respect for his political calculations. Imogen arrives and escorts Violet to a hidden training room where a first-year Tyr is exercising under Garrick's supervision. Imogen assigns leg-strengthening exercises, and when Violet asks if she's only helping because Xaden ordered it, Imogen fiercely rebukes her for questioning the relationship, hinting at a closer connection between them than Violet realized.