Chapter 75

Violet defeats Queen Marlis of Unnbriel in a three-on-three combat challenge, earning an audience with the queen. During the fight, mysterious lightning strikes occur when Violet's rage peaks. Marlis reveals she won't ally with Violet's forces but offers shelter and hunting rights, demanding dragons as the price for true alliance.

Violet faces Marlis in single combat as part of a three-way challenge alongside Dain and Xaden. The trio agrees to fight with daggers. During the brutal fight, Marlis stabs Violet in the ribs, cracking bone, but Violet uses leverage and speed to throw the larger opponent and pin her down. When Costa begins to overpower Xaden with his dagger, Violet throws her blade into Costa's shoulder, enabling Xaden to gain the upper hand. As Violet's rage peaks while demanding Marlis yield, lightning strikes the plaza, cracking century-old terraced seats and charring rock black. Marlis yields, and the guards reveal her true identity as Queen of Unnbriel. Violet learns the queen only speaks with those who defeat her in combat. When asked about the seventh breed of dragon, Marlis states the isle hasn't seen fire-breathers in centuries. Violet requests Unnbriel as an ally in the coming war. Marlis refuses direct military support but offers shelter in the jungles and hunting rights. She demands dragons as payment for a true alliance and departs, leaving Violet to grapple with the mysterious lightning, her injuries, and the slim prospect of securing Unnbriel's forces.