AFTERWORD

Chapter 62

Chapter 74

Overview

Violet and Xaden survive their skirmish with a dark wielder as Andarna reveals she can breathe fire and has grown dramatically. Back at Basgiath, Jesinia reveals a crucial discovery: Lyra's journal mentions "seven" dragons contributing to the wardstone, not six, suggesting a seventh dragon breed exists. As leadership debates whether to abandon the fortress, the wyvern horde's commander arrives—someone Violet fears she recognizes—and Xaden realizes the enemy has been waiting for him all along.

Summary

After Andarna kills the dark wielder in a burst of dragonfire, Violet realizes the young dragon has grown far larger and darker, her scales now matching Tairn's black. The dragons return to Basgiath, which is in chaos with wounded infantry overwhelming the infirmary. Xaden and Violet rush to argue against orders to send Tairn and Sgaeyl to defend the Vale, leaving the wardstone exposed. Before reaching leadership, Jesinia intercepts Violet with a critical discovery: comparing Lyra's journal to Warrick's version, she found a discrepancy. Where Warrick's journal reads "six," Lyra's reads "seven"—specifically, "The breath of life of the seven combined and set the stone ablaze in an iron flame." There are seven circles and seven runes on the Aretia wardstone, not six. This suggests a seventh dragon breed exists, an impossible revelation Violet must hide behind her shields. Violet learns Sawyer has lost his leg and is in the infirmary. In the courtyard, General Melgren refuses to keep forces at the fortress, planning to use the wounded as a distraction while leadership retreats to the Vale. Violet argues passionately that Brennan has mended the wardstone and she can raise the wards, but her mother remains unconvinced. A larger wyvern bearing a rider in royal blue arrives at the center of the enemy horde—someone Violet fears she recognizes. Xaden confronts Melgren about sacrificing cadets, threatening to withdraw his army's support given Melgren's role in his father's execution. Violet's mother orders Melgren to wait, but he refuses. Xaden takes Violet's hand and walks toward the dragons, revealing that the wyvern horde has been waiting for him all along, not attacking because their leader hasn't arrived until now.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailQuestions whether to raise the wards; discovers journal discrepancy suggesting a seventh dragon breed; confronts her mother about defending the fortress; learns the wyvern horde has been waiting for Xaden
  • Xaden RiorsonArgues against sending dragons to the Vale; threatens Melgren with withdrawal of support; reveals the wyvern horde has been waiting for him; takes Violet's hand and walks toward the dragons
  • AndarnaDefeats the dark wielder by breathing fire and decapitating him; grows to much larger size with darker scales; demonstrates her ability to hide and breathe fire
  • TairnLands after the skirmish; relays Melgren's orders to go to the Vale; orders Andarna to hide with Marbh; notices the wyvern horde's leader arriving
  • Cat TaggartSurvives the skirmish; suggests Violet tell her mother that gryphons can fight in the air or on the ground; stays at distance from Andarna
  • SgaeylLands with the other dragons; mentioned as being ordered to the Vale
  • SliseagLands with Tairn and Sgaeyl after the skirmish
  • General MelgrenOrders Tairn and Sgaeyl to the Vale; refuses to wait for Violet's plan; insists on abandoning the fortress; confronted by Xaden about his role in executing Xaden's father
  • Violet's mother (General)Leads fortress defense; refuses Violet's initial pleas to test the wardstone; eventually orders Melgren to wait but he refuses; prioritizes the Archives and Vale over the fortress
  • JesiniaDiscovers the journal discrepancy between Lyra's and Warrick's versions showing "seven" instead of "six"; seeks Violet out in the courtyard with her findings; urged to go to the infirmary for safety
  • Colonel PanchekQuestions whether cadets can defend the fortress; steps back when intimidated by Xaden's tone
  • SawyerMentioned as being in the infirmary after losing his leg to a wyvern
  • BrennanMentioned as having mended the wardstone; referenced as their best chance for survival
  • MarenMentioned as willing to watch over Sawyer and evacuate the wounded
  • AotromMentioned as already wounded during the battle
  • TeineTakes down the last remaining wyvern in their sector
  • CodaghDragon of General Melgren; mentioned by its large tail
  • Wyvern horde leaderArrives at the center of the horde in a larger wyvern, bearing royal blue; Violet fears recognizing them; revealed to be whom the horde has been waiting for