Chapter 111

Violet and Xaden discover they have been sharing recurring nightmares about the Sage threatening to take Andarna unless Violet delivers herself to Draithus. Through their discussion, Violet realizes her second signet is dream-walking—a form of inntinnsic magic that allows her to enter others' minds while they sleep. She confirms this terrifying ability by visiting Maren's room to verify details from a dream she had while in Samara, only to be interrupted by an alarm announcing an attack from the east.

Violet wakes from a nightmare in which the Sage levitates her and threatens to kill Andarna unless she brings him something unspecified, all while unable to access her magic. She finds Xaden also having a nightmare. When they compare their dreams, they discover the nightmares are identical and that Xaden has been experiencing them repeatedly since Resson. Xaden realizes that Violet has been present in his dreams, and she describes seeing his left hand with a relic when looking down at her own. He reveals she was walking through his dream. Violet mentions a separate dream from Samara in which she was Maren during the fall of Cliffsbane, unable to leave without a family portrait. Xaden theorizes that Violet's second signet, granted by her bond with Andarna, is dream-walking—a form of inntinnsic magic more dangerous than lightning that allows her to enter unconscious minds without their knowledge or ability to shield. Andarna confirms she gave Violet this ability, claiming it is harmless and that Violet is mostly drawn to Xaden's mind. Violet realizes the implications: she unknowingly invaded both Xaden's and Maren's dreams, and if discovered, this ability would be considered so dangerous that she would be killed. To confirm whether they are right, Violet and Xaden go to Maren's room. Violet asks about a family portrait, and Maren confirms she still has it, saying it was once her worst nightmare to lose it. Before Violet can process this confirmation, Tairn alerts them to a horde approaching from the east, and bells begin ringing overhead—they are under attack.