AFTERWORD

Chapter 48

Chapter 107

Overview

Xaden unexpectedly arrives at Basgiath after flying through a storm, having maintained control of his power while angry in Lewellen. He has reached day seventy-three of his stability milestone and believes he may be able to stall his fate's progression. Violet and Xaden reunite intimately in her bedroom.

Summary

Violet studies a book from Tecarus while practicing rune work and imbuing conduits when Xaden arrives at her door late at night, soaked from flying through a storm. He has been in Lewellen handling province matters but chose to redirect toward Tirvainne and her instead. During their conversation, Xaden reveals he has maintained control for seventy-three days—twice the longest stretch Barlowe achieved after his first significant channeling—and plans to reach day seventy-six as proof he can stall his fate's progression. He admits that even while angry and struggling to control himself in Lewellen, he did not reach for power because he knew it could send him backward and away from her. Violet affirms her commitment to him and their future together. Their conversation becomes increasingly intimate as Xaden uses shadows to bind her wrists and they engage in foreplay. Xaden prepares additional daggers within reach and establishes that Violet will maintain full magical power during their encounter. Violet reaffirms her choice to be with him despite all risks and assures him she can handle herself. The chapter ends as Xaden decides they will not wait any longer.

Characters

  • Violet Sorrengailprotagonist; receives Xaden at her door and engages in intimate encounter with him after his unexpected arrival
  • Xaden Riorsonarrives at Violet's bedroom after flying through a storm; has reached day seventy-three of his stability milestone and discusses his progress with controlling his fate
  • TairnViolet's dragon; responds to her mental inquiry about why he did not alert her to Xaden's arrival
  • SgaeylXaden's dragon; mentioned as having changed course during his flight when he realized he could maintain control beyond the wards
  • Tecarusmentioned as sending Violet books and maintaining their deal to help find answers for Xaden
  • BrennanViolet's brother; mentioned as recently brought into knowledge of efforts to help Xaden
  • Trissamentioned as drilling students on delayed-activation runes
  • Catmentioned as mastering the delayed-activation rune quickly
  • Imogenmentioned as mastering the delayed-activation rune quickly
  • Kaimentioned as attempting the delayed-activation rune and singeing his hair
  • Dainmentioned as eventually mastering the delayed-activation rune
  • Bodhimentioned as eventually mastering the delayed-activation rune
  • Rhimentioned as eventually mastering the delayed-activation rune and visiting Violet the previous night
  • Ridocmentioned as eventually mastering the delayed-activation rune
  • Aaricmentioned as mastering the delayed-activation rune despite not manifesting a signet
  • Felixmentioned as having graduated the alloy in Violet's conduit
  • Dunnementioned as training Violet intensively and planning to take her to the mountains
  • Barlowementioned as a reference point for comparing Xaden's stability; achieved his longest stretch without draining after the cliff incident