AFTERWORD

Chapter 27

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Overview

During a tactical war game exercise, Violet and her squad strategize how to retake a fortified keep. When gryphons suddenly attack the outpost, Mira orders everyone to evacuate immediately. Violet desperately wants to stay and help her sister, but Xaden forcibly removes her from danger by kissing her and having Tairn carry her to safety as the dragons flee the fortress.

Summary

The chapter opens with Mira conducting a battle briefing for the reaction flight, using a hypothetical scenario of a fortified enemy keep to teach the squad tactical thinking. Xaden arrives unexpectedly at the outpost, revealing he can communicate with Violet telepathically through their dragons' mating bond—a discovery that enrages Dain, who sees it as evidence of Xaden's corrupting influence. During the war game, the squad demonstrates their individual signets: Quinn's astral projection, Liam's farsight, Emery's air wielding, and Xaden's shadow manipulation, which alarmed everyone when he plunged the room into complete darkness. After the exercise, Mira pulls Dain, Xaden, and Violet aside to confront Dain's hostile behavior toward Xaden, warning him that his jealousy is undermining his squad leadership. She also expresses serious concerns to Xaden about whether his presence will hold Violet back from her training and development. During this conversation, Tairn alerts them that a drift of gryphons is approaching and the wards are down. Mira immediately orders an evacuation, insisting Violet leave despite her protests. When Violet refuses to abandon her sister, Xaden kisses her passionately, then has Tairn scoop her up and carry her away. As the squad reaches the roof and mounts their dragons to flee, Violet watches helplessly as Xaden and Sgaeyl escape behind them, with gryphons closing in on the keep below.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailFirst-year rider caught between duty to her sister and evacuation orders; discovers telepathic link with Xaden; desperately wants to stay and help defend the outpost
  • Xaden RiorsonWingleader who arrives unexpectedly; reveals telepathic communication ability; forcibly removes Violet from danger by kissing her and having Sgaeyl escape with her
  • Mira SorrengailViolet's sister and senior rider conducting the tactical briefing; orders evacuation when gryphons attack; confronts Dain about his behavior and warns Xaden about his impact on Violet
  • Dain AetosSquad leader who bristles at Xaden's presence and authority; is rebuked by Mira for his hostile behavior; eventually helps evacuate the squad
  • RidocSquad member who participates in the war game exercise and evacuates during the gryphon attack
  • LiamSquad member with farsight signet who contributes to the tactical exercise and helps evacuate
  • QuinnSquad member with astral projection ability who participates in the war game and evacuates
  • EmeryAir wielder who uses his signet during the tactical exercise and evacuates during the attack
  • RhiannonSquad member on patrol during the morning; evacuates with the group
  • SawyerSquad member on patrol in the morning; evacuates with the group
  • CiannaSquad member on patrol in the morning; evacuates with the group
  • NadineSquad member on patrol in the morning; evacuates with the group
  • HeatonSquad member on patrol in the morning; evacuates with the group
  • TairnViolet's black dragon who alerts her to the incoming gryphons and carries her to safety during evacuation
  • SgaeylXaden's dragon, mated to Tairn, who escapes with Xaden during the evacuation
  • CathDain's red Daggertail dragon involved in the evacuation
  • DeighLiam's dragon involved in the evacuation
  • DeveraInstructor who worked with part of the squad on battle strategy in the morning
  • Montserrat ridersSenior riders assisting with the tactical briefing and battle exercise
  • Garrick TavisSection leader mentioned as intermediary between Dain and Xaden for War Games orders