Chapter Forty-One

During a morning death roll in the snow-packed courtyard, Violet learns that Ruford Sharna from Third Wing died in an accident. Sloane gives Violet a canvas bag containing her father's encrypted journal, delivered through Archives duty with help from Jesinia and Dain. Later, during a sparring class with Lieutenant Garrick, Halden—the crown prince of Navarre and Aaric's twin—unexpectedly arrives at Basgiath, complicates matters by offering to help with Violet's mission, and is violently attacked by Xaden with shadow magic when he attempts to touch Violet's hair.

The chapter opens with Captain Fitzgibbons reading the death roll of fallen riders, including the news that Ruford Sharna from Third Wing fell from his seat during maneuvers due to poor visibility in the snow. Sloane approaches Violet in the library to deliver a canvas bag containing her father's research—tomes selected by Jesinia and passed to her by Dain that morning. Sloane confesses she could have stopped her mother's power transfer but chose to let it happen to survive, and Violet reassures her, knowing her mother's sacrifice was necessary. Upon unwrapping the package in her room, Violet discovers her father's journal is locked with a six-letter mechanism that will destroy its contents if tampered with incorrectly. The riddle reads: "First love is irreplaceable." Over the following days, Violet and her squad puzzle over the password.

During a subsequent sparring class in the amphitheater pit, Violet and her squad face off against Lieutenant Garrick. The squad fights strategically as a unit, with Quinn creating illusions while Rhiannon wields Garrick's daggers. Violet successfully strikes Garrick's blade with lightning, demonstrating her newfound power control. As the session continues, Prince Halden arrives unexpectedly, descending the steps to the arena. He greets Violet with familiar charm and proceeds to take a seat beside her. Halden reveals he has brought a missive from Viscount Tecarus offering an alternative path for Violet's mission: if she retrieves the Amelian Citrine from Anca, King Courtlyn of Deverelli will meet with her (noble blood only). Halden proposes that he can use his rank to override Grady's leadership and authorize this course.

When Halden asks about Violet's relationship with Xaden and suggests they share a quiet dinner so he can apologize for past wrongs, he reaches toward her braid. Xaden, watching from the mat, immediately blasts Halden with shadow magic, sending him crashing into the rock wall behind them.