Chapter Fifty-Nine

Violet and Xaden arrive at King Courtlyn's palace in Deverelli to retrieve Halden, only to discover that Halden has been orchestrating complex diplomatic negotiations involving the theft of magical artifacts. When Halden's guard Captain Winshire is revealed to have been executed and served to the king's white panthers, and Halden loses his temper and overturns the negotiation table, Xaden attempts to salvage the alliance by offering an emerald-studded artifact—possibly the legendary Blade of Aretia—before Violet stops him, unwilling to let him sacrifice more.

Violet and Xaden arrive at Deverelli's outdoor palace on dragonback, evading cross-bolts and guards to reach King Courtlyn. Upon entering the dining hall, they discover Halden seated at the king's table alongside Tecarus and find that Courtlyn, a surprisingly young king, has been engaging in negotiations with Halden regarding magical artifacts. Halden reveals he offered to retrieve stolen items from Deverelli that he claims rightfully belong to Navarre, offering to use Tecarus's manor as a staging ground for dragon search missions. Courtlyn had stabbed Halden through the hand with a jeweled dagger—the Blade of Aretia, previously stolen by Reginald during the Unification—before Violet and Xaden arrived. When Xaden negotiates for alliance and safe passage, Courtlyn tests his loyalty, and Xaden declares his fealty is to Violet first, then Tyrrendor, then Navarre only when worthy. The dinner culminates in horror when servants reveal Captain Winshire's severed head served as the panthers' meal, having been caught stealing from Courtlyn's treasury with a list in Halden's handwriting. Enraged, Halden accuses Courtlyn of theft and overturns the table, destroying the negotiation. Xaden attempts to salvage the situation by offering a treasured artifact from his pack, but Violet stops him, unwilling to allow him further sacrifice. As Halden continues his outburst, claiming sole authority to speak for Navarre, Courtlyn orders his execution.