Chapter 123

Violet experiences a shared dream with Xaden where the Sage torments them both, before waking to learn that Theophanie has captured Mira and demands Bodhi and Violet be delivered within five hours, threatening to kill her hostage.

Violet finds herself in what she initially believes is her own dream but recognizes as Xaden's nightmare when she achieves lucidity. She observes Xaden running toward the burning city of Draithus before the Sage appears and begins choking Xaden with magic. The Sage reveals he knows Violet is a dream-walker and threatens to make her come to him or kill someone unnamed. Violet stabs herself with a conjured dagger to wake up. Back in their bed in Aretia, both Violet and Xaden wake gasping. Xaden notes this is the first time he's been aware of her presence in his dreams as a separate entity. Before they can process this, Garrick arrives at their door badly injured, having been pulled from the sky during patrol. He delivers a message from Theophanie, their lightning-wielding enemy: Theophanie has reached the walls of Draithus and demands that Bodhi and Violet be brought to her within five hours, or she will kill her hostage. Garrick carries a massive green scale matching Violet's armor—revealing that Theophanie has captured Mira, Xaden's sister.