Chapter 43
Chapter 97
Overview
Violet and her group return from their failed mission to the irids, having discovered that Xaden's nature as a dark wielder caused the irids to reject them. After Ridoc learns Xaden's secret and negotiates terms for silence, the group flies home to Basgiath over ten days, only to arrive and face devastating news: Suniva has fallen to dark wielders, Queen Maraya is dead, and Theophanie has somehow intercepted them, sending a cryptic message proving she tracked their movements.
Summary
Violet prepares to tell the group about the irids' rejection while keeping Xaden's secret as long as possible. She and Ridoc slip away into the jungle where she confesses the full truth about Xaden's channeling and his missing pieces. Ridoc is furious at being kept in the dark and forces Violet to acknowledge there must be a breaking point in her devotion to Xaden—she eventually agrees he would have to kill another rider without cause, hurt her friends and dragons, or hurt her personally. Xaden overhears their conversation and withdraws emotionally, blaming himself for the irids' refusal. The group departs the next day and spends ten grueling days flying home, with Xaden maintaining distance and Andarna in silent despair over losing her family. Upon landing at Basgiath, Violet reunites with Rhiannon and Sawyer, announcing their failure to secure the irids' help. General Aetos arrives and delivers a letter from Theophanie, proving the venin leader tracked their flight over Pavis and intercepted them. He then delivers the worst news: Suniva has fallen to dark wielders during their absence, and Queen Maraya is dead.
Characters
- Violetprotagonist attempting to process the mission's failure and manage Xaden's secret while dealing with devastating news upon return
- Ridocdiscovers Xaden's true nature and negotiates conditions for silence, demanding Violet tell Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Jesinia
- Xadenrevealed overhearing Ridoc's interrogation, withdraws emotionally and blames himself for the irids' rejection
- Miraarrives at camp and learns of the irids' rejection; helps with the journey home
- Garrickpresent during discussion of the irids' refusal and accompanies the group home
- Aaricarrives at camp with Mira
- Andarnadevastated by the irids' rejection of her; flies separately to the Vale upon return
- TairnViolet's dragon; returns with the group
- SgaeylXaden's dragon, barely speaking to him
- Aotromescorts Violet and Ridoc in the jungle, agrees with Sgaeyl about Xaden
- Rhiannongreets the returning group with enthusiasm; learns of Trager's death and the mission's failure
- Sawyerreunites with the group upon their return; present for the devastating news
- Catlearns her sister Syrena may be alive; receives news that her throne is one step closer due to Queen Maraya's death
- Marenreunites with the group at Basgiath
- Dain Aetosmeasures the distance between Violet and Xaden but says nothing; present for the debrief
- General Aetosannounces court-martial proceedings, delivers Theophanie's intercepted message, and reveals that Suniva has fallen and Queen Maraya is dead
- Theophaniesends a cryptic message proving she tracked the group's flight and intercepted them, hinting she has something Violet seeks
- Tragermentioned as deceased; killed by arrow to the heart in Zehyllna
- Drakepresent during the return and General Aetos's address
- Tecarusmentioned as missing; Cat's uncle whose safety is questioned
- Queen Marayamentioned as dead following Suniva's fall to dark wielders
- Sunivamentioned as having fallen to dark wielders
- Jesiniamentioned as someone who must be told about Xaden's condition to aid in research