AFTERWORD

Chapter 24

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Overview

Violet recovers from her stabbing injury as Xaden takes over her training and demonstrates his expectations of their future together. After a month of intense preparation, Violet encounters her mother and Colonel Aetos at the flight field, where they press her about Andarna's powers and express doubt about her wielding abilities. The chapter ends with Xaden preparing to take Violet and the dragons on a flying lesson.

Summary

Violet wakes in the infirmary with a bandaged arm after being stabbed by Barlowe. Xaden visits and reveals he knew about the threat because Liam reported it. Violet confronts him about their kiss, but Xaden coldly dismisses it as a mistake, explaining that their inevitable station together makes involvement inadvisable. He announces he will take over all her training. Over the following weeks in February and March, Xaden intensively trains Violet on the sparring mat and with wielding, pushing her to her physical limits without babying her. He gifts her a custom dagger with Tyrrish runes, though Violet initially refuses it until Xaden demonstrates she must earn her weapons through challenges. During a formation in March, Captain Fitzgibbons announces deaths including Mushin Vedie, whose signet manifested catastrophically in class, causing him to burn to death—a grim reminder of the danger of signet manifestation. Dain pressures Violet to focus on wielding practice, but Xaden pulls her away for flight training instead. As they head to the flight field, they encounter Violet's mother (General Sorrengail), Colonel Aetos, and Commandant Panchek descending from the citadel. General Sorrengail criticizes Violet's wielding progress and questions what power she draws from Tairn, while Colonel Aetos expresses interest in studying Andarna for academic purposes. The General dismisses Violet coldly, noting the "questionable company" she keeps—a clear reference to Xaden. Violet feels her confidence shattered by her mother's rebuke. Xaden cryptically mentions he "paid the price" for his loyalty years ago but refuses to elaborate. They proceed to the flight field where Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Andarna await for flying lessons.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailA first-year cadet recovering from a stabbing injury; receives intense combat and wielding training from Xaden; encounters her mother and questions her own goals and standards
  • Xaden RiorsonA third-year wingleader who takes over Violet's training, gifts her a custom dagger, and prepares her for flying; maintains emotional distance regarding their kiss and hints at past grievances with Violet's mother
  • RhiannonViolet's friend and squad member who trains with her and encourages her during wielding practice
  • Dain AetosViolet's squad leader who expresses concern about her wielding development and awkwardness with his former closeness to Violet
  • RidocSquad member who participates in squad training and makes sarcastic comments during formations
  • General Basgiath SorrengailViolet's mother who visits the quadrant, criticizes Violet's wielding progress, questions her power from Tairn, and expresses disapproval of her association with Xaden
  • Colonel AetosDain's father and visiting officer who asks permission to study Andarna and mentions research Violet's father conducted on feathertails
  • Commandant PanchekHigh-ranking officer who accompanies General Sorrengail and Colonel Aetos on their visit
  • TairnViolet's gold dragon who warns her against revealing information about Andarna and prepares for flying lessons
  • SgaeylXaden's blue dragon who will participate in flying formation training
  • AndarnaA feathertail dragon bonded to Violet who will participate in flight training and is the subject of interest from Violet's mother and Colonel Aetos
  • ImogenSquad member who trains and makes comments about the upcoming Squad Battle
  • LiamSquad member who reported the assassination threat against Violet to Xaden; trains separately during sparring sessions
  • SawyerSquad member who hurries to clear a path when Xaden appears
  • Captain FitzgibbonsOfficer who reads the death roll during morning formation
  • CiannaExecutive officer of Violet's squad who comments on squad composition and upcoming Squad Battle prospects
  • HeatonSquad member noted for strength in mat challenges
  • Sharla GunterCadet announced dead during the morning formation
  • Mushin VedieSecond-year cadet whose signet manifested catastrophically in class, causing him to burn to death