AFTERWORD

Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Overview

Violet and Xaden navigate the aftermath of their night together, finding a hidden letter from her father in a damaged book of fables about the dangers of power corruption. They clash over their deepening emotional connection, with Xaden insisting there's no future between them despite undeniable chemistry. Tensions escalate when Violet suspects he may be with someone else, and later that evening at the Reunification Day celebration, she discovers Xaden has deliberately absented himself rather than attend an event celebrating the deaths of rebellion members, including Liam's mother.

Summary

The chapter opens with Xaden helping Violet clean up her damaged room after their passionate encounter. While organizing books, Violet discovers a cryptic letter from her father hidden in a book of fables—written before his death, it warns that folklore preserves history and that one desperate generation could change or erase it. The fables contain stories of venin (corrupted beings who consume magic) and the dangers of wielding power without a dragon's grounding influence. Xaden and Violet discuss the letter's meaning, though neither can determine its full significance. Their conversation turns intimate when Xaden suggests spending the night together, but Violet confesses she cannot separate sex from emotion and will inevitably fall for him if they continue. Xaden insists he has no intention of falling for her and withdraws emotionally, though his words and actions contradict each other. Violet stands firm that he cannot dictate her feelings, and they agree to stop until she's ready to risk her heart. Over the following month, they maintain physical distance despite persistent tension during training and meals. Violet grows anxious about Xaden's upcoming graduation and posting, and worries he may be with someone else—possibly Imogen. During a Battle Brief, she challenges him mentally about this, and he responds cryptically. That evening, Violet attends the Reunification Day celebration in dress uniform, which commemorates the end of the war against separatists. She finds Xaden conspicuously absent, along with Garrick, Bodhi, and Imogen. Liam, whose mother died in that war, attends with Violet for protection. When King Tauri and General Melgren inquire about Xaden's whereabouts, Violet deflects. After the party, she uses her grounding magic to sense Xaden's presence and discovers he is on the parapet—deliberately isolated from the celebration.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailFirst-year rider struggling with her feelings for Xaden; discovers her father's cryptic letter about power corruption; attends Reunification Day celebration while searching for answers about Xaden's absence
  • Xaden RiorsonWingleader and experienced rider who helps Violet clean her room; insists there is no future between them despite their connection; deliberately absents himself from the Reunification Day celebration
  • Mira SorrengailViolet's mother and high-ranking military officer; appears briefly at the Reunification Day celebration holding court with the king
  • King TauriMonarch attending Reunification Day celebration; inquires about Xaden's whereabouts and questions Violet and Liam about Xaden's loyalty
  • General MelgrenMilitary officer accompanying the king; displays suspicious interest in Xaden and scrutinizes Liam's rebellion relic
  • Liam MairiHealer cadet and Violet's friend who attends the party with her; bears a visible rebellion relic and offers support despite the difficult nature of the celebration
  • RhiannonViolet's friend and fellow first-year rider; attends the party and discusses her correspondence with her sister
  • CarrWielding instructor who trains Violet daily on lightning strikes; mentioned as pushing her to improve her aim and endurance
  • GarrickXaden's friend who warns Violet not to seek Xaden out on the parapet; absent from the celebration along with Xaden
  • BodhiXaden's friend who acknowledges Xaden is on the parapet; absent from the celebration
  • RidocFellow first-year cadet who attends the celebration and jokes about the gathering of different quadrants
  • Dain AetosCadet greeted by the king at the celebration; offers to help Violet and Liam escape the party
  • SawyerFirst-year cadet who informs Violet of the king's visit and attends the celebration
  • ImogenFellow rider whom Violet suspects of being with Xaden; notably absent from the Reunification Day celebration
  • DeveraProfessor conducting Battle Brief; asks cadets to analyze defensive strategies; also announces the Reunification Day celebration attendance requirement
  • QuinnFriend who helps style Violet's hair for the celebration
  • NadineFirst-year cadet who joins Violet and friends heading to the celebration
  • TairnViolet's bonded dragon whose power she senses during grounding in the courtyard
  • SgaeylXaden's bonded dragon; Violet senses its connection through Tairn
  • AndarnaYoung dragon bonded to Violet; whose energy she senses while grounding in the courtyard