Chapter Thirty-Three

Violet and Xaden conduct a midnight secret meeting with Poromish gryphon riders at a remote lake to exchange weapons. The encounter becomes tense when Xaden refuses to give them wards-powering daggers and makes clear he will cut off supplies if they compromise Navarrian defenses. Violet learns that one of the fliers, Catriona, has a significant history with Xaden that goes beyond their current alliance.

Violet flies on Tairn to a remote lake beyond the wards under cover of darkness, with Xaden and Sgaeyl accompanying them. Tairn insists Violet remain mounted for safety, fearing wyvern attacks. Seven gryphons arrive as expected, with three fliers dismounting to meet Xaden: Syrena (a veteran from Resson with a new scar), an unnamed male flier, and a younger woman named Catriona who bears a striking resemblance to Syrena. Xaden presents two bags of weapons—twenty-three daggers after setting aside one for himself. Syrena requests access to daggers from an outpost to arm more fliers, but Xaden refuses, explaining the daggers power their wards protecting the hatching grounds at Basgiath. When Violet interjects that compromising those wards would expose the forge to venin, Catriona becomes visibly hostile. She suggests Xaden is refusing Syrena's requests out of emotional attachment and mentions a Viscount Tecarus who has asked for a luminary in exchange for something—a request Xaden flatly refuses. Syrena indicates they have perhaps a year before venin reach Poromiel's borders. Xaden threatens to cut off all future supplies if the gryphon riders attempt to steal from the outposts or compromise the wards. The meeting concludes with the weapons exchanged and departure coordinates established for future supply runs at Athebyne. As Tairn launches into flight, Violet realizes Catriona's intense gaze and Bodhi's earlier comment about Xaden caring for Catriona suggest the flier shares a romantic history with him.