Chapter Thirty-Two

Violet arrives at Samara without leave after learning Xaden was wounded, only to find him sparring and nearly unharmed. Their reunion in the bathing chamber escalates from emotional confrontation to passionate intimacy, after which Xaden reveals they need to fly to a rendezvous to deliver daggers.

Violet lands at Samara in a frantic state, overwhelmed by Tairn's desperation to see Sgaeyl alongside her own concern for Xaden. She rushes through the fortified outpost, which shows signs of recent attack, and finds Xaden sparring with Garrick in the gym rather than recovering from wounds. Initially furious at herself for her recklessness and loss of control, Violet's anger transforms when Xaden reveals a severe scar on his arm from nearly losing it in the attack. They move to the bathing chamber where cold water helps Violet regain emotional control. A heated argument ensues about Violet's impulsive journey and her inability to give Xaden the three words of love he wants, with Xaden insisting he wants her exactly as she is. Violet challenges him to take what she offers without demanding declarations, and they surrender to their desire. After passionate intimacy on a stone bench, Xaden reveals they must fly to a rendezvous to drop daggers, and Violet immediately agrees to join him.