Chapter Twenty

After two days lost in the Hadden Woods due to a map-reading failure that costs Tomas his life, Violet's squad is extracted by professors who reveal the land navigation was a deliberate test. The exercise included a suppression of dragon bonds that is now lifted, raising troubling questions about leadership's development of power-dampening techniques. Violet struggles with exhaustion, lingering trauma, and the strain of keeping secrets from Rhiannon, while missing Xaden intensifies her sense of impending danger.

The chapter opens with Violet on watch duty, reflecting on the failed land navigation exercise and the death of Tomas. Cadet Dyre arrives with dinner, expressing his life debt to Violet for saving him. After he leaves, Rhiannon takes over watch and confronts Violet about her withdrawal from friends, her avoidance of Andarna, her mysterious connection with Xaden, and her reluctance to discuss War Games. Rhiannon makes clear she values their friendship but won't accept lies. The next morning, professors arrive with supplies and reveal the exercise was intentional, stating they'll conduct similar exercises again. As the professors distribute waterskins, Violet notices the suppression on dragon bonds lifts, restoring her connection to Tairn. The dragons land, startling the infantry cadets. Sawyer expresses anger that leadership can suppress and restore bonds at will, viewing it as a violation. Tairn confirms this is a new development he dislikes. Rhiannon presses Violet again about the strangeness of the year—guarded infirmary doors, bond-muffling elixirs, and Violet's near-assassination. Violet gives partial truths, and Rhiannon notes Violet's secrecy is damaging their friendship. Violet mounts Tairn, learns he spent only brief time with Sgaeyl before the dragons departed, and is troubled by an instinct that she and Xaden won't see each other again in the promised week.