Chapter Fifty-Two

Violet faces Catriona in a combat challenge within Riorson House. During the brutal fight, Cat reveals she was previously engaged to Xaden and uses mindwork to manipulate Violet's emotions, nearly leading Violet to kill her. Xaden arrives and removes Violet from the situation before her rage triggers uncontrolled lightning that ignites the bleachers.

The chapter opens with Violet and Catriona circling each other in combat on a mat in front of onlookers. Cat deliberately provokes Violet by boasting about her past intimate relationship with Xaden, stoking Violet's jealousy and rage. As they fight, Cat reveals the true source of her animosity: she was engaged to Xaden as part of a political alliance between their families seeking to secure power and a crown, and she blames Violet and her family for the consequences of Violet's actions (specifically dropping a flier instead of saving a squadmate, which led to the death of Luella from Cat's family). During the fight, Cat uses mindwork to cloud Violet's thoughts and manipulate her emotions. Violet nearly strangles Cat to death, losing control to blind fury and jealousy. Xaden arrives and, through his calm presence and emotional connection with Violet, helps her regain enough control to release Cat's throat. As Xaden carries Violet away, her uncontrolled power manifests as lightning that strikes the bleachers and ignites them; Xaden uses his shadows to extinguish the flames. He carries her into the Assembly chamber, where the other members quickly evacuate at his command. Alone, Xaden examines the bruise Cat left on Violet's cheek and confirms he heard every humiliating word Cat spoke during their fight.