AFTERWORD

Chapter 4

Chapter Thirteen

Overview

Violet attends a crucial meeting with the Senarium regarding a task force to find a seventh dragon breed. Though she negotiates successfully for some of Andarna's demands, General Melgren assigns Captain Grady—not Violet—to lead the mission, stripping away her planned control over squad selection. That evening, Violet receives a mysterious message from Tecarus reminding her of a bargain with a three-day deadline. The following morning, an intimate moment between Violet and Xaden turns troubling when he loses control of his shadow powers during their encounter, leaving scorch marks on the headboard.

Summary

Violet meets with the Senarium—six provincial nobles including the Duchess of Morraine, Duke of Calldyr, and others—to discuss her role in a task force searching for the seventh dragon breed. She and Andarna have prepared demands, which Lewellen agrees to present. However, General Melgren announces that Captain Grady, her RSC professor, will lead the operation, not Violet, and that squad composition will be entirely at Grady's discretion. Violet argues that Andarna's compliance hinges on her demands being met, but Melgren holds firm, calling it a military operation. Xaden and Garrick wait outside the great hall; Xaden threatens violence if anyone tries to dictate Violet's living arrangements. After the meeting, Lewellen privately delivers a message from Tecarus stating Violet has three days to fulfill their bargain. That night, Violet sleeps deeply after venting with her squad about Grady's appointment. The next morning, she wakes to find Xaden asleep beside her. When she begins to get out of bed, he wakes and initiates an intimate encounter. During a moment of intense pleasure, Violet uses their bond to share memories of previous passion, which overwhelms Xaden. His shadow powers surge uncontrollably—he scorches the headboard and pulls away, apologizing profusely. He explains he's "not natural anymore" and fears what he might do, revealing faint discoloration marks where his thumbs gripped the wood, suggesting he may have channeled his power. Violet tries to reassure him, but his distress makes clear this is a serious concern.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailCadet attending the Senarium meeting to negotiate for Andarna's demands regarding the dragon task force; later receives a three-day deadline message and experiences an intimate moment with Xaden that triggers his loss of control
  • Xaden RiorsonWaits outside the Senarium, threatens violence if anyone tries to dictate Violet's living situation; later becomes intimate with Violet but loses control of his shadow powers during the encounter
  • General MelgrenConducts the Senarium meeting, assigns Captain Grady to lead the task force instead of Violet, refuses to allow her to select squad members
  • GarrickStands with Xaden outside the Senarium, argues that Violet should sleep elsewhere, expresses concern about her safety in the meeting
  • LewellenProvincial representative at the Senarium offering a tired smile to Violet; presents Andarna's demands list and privately delivers a message from Tecarus
  • Duke of CalldyrSenarium noble who interrupts Violet's opening statement and announces the task force assignment
  • Duchess of MorraineSenarium noble who demands the meeting move quickly and scolds Violet for making demands
  • Duchess of ElsumSenarium noble who raises her brows at Andarna's demands
  • Duke of LucerasSenarium noble who recoils at Andarna's demands
  • AndarnaDragon who provides demands to Violet for the task force negotiation and argues internally that they must participate in the mission
  • TairnDragon who states they will not go on the task force unless demands are met
  • TecarusSends a message to Violet via Lewellen reminding her she has three days to fulfill their bargain
  • Captain GradyViolet's RSC professor appointed to lead the task force; will select squad members at his discretion
  • ImogenMember of Violet's squad waiting outside the great hall after the meeting
  • RhiMember of Violet's squad waiting outside the great hall after the meeting; previously listened to Violet vent about Grady
  • TaraMentioned as having listened to Violet vent with Rhi about Grady being a poor choice to lead the mission
  • JesiniaGave Violet a book on Navarrian imports; mentioned in context of Violet visiting Sawyer
  • SawyerMentioned as being visited by Violet at the infirmary
  • BrennanMentioned as meeting daily with Xaden, Lewellen, and Duke Lindell regarding negotiations
  • Duke LindellRecently joined Xaden's daily meetings; fostered both Xaden and Liam