Shaken by news of the attack, Violet and Xaden scramble to get dressed and join flight formation; Xaden gives her a jacket to put on over her dress uniform. When she joins her friends, Rhiannon immediately identifies the jacket. They head to the courtyard, and Xaden telepathically shares that they have been dragged out of bed for the last event of the War Games, not for an actual attack. Rhiannon helps Violet hide the jacket from Dain before Commandant Panchek begins to speak. Dain’s father, General Sorrengail’s secretary, gives orders to each wingleader. Xaden is ordered to select riders to be stationed with him outside of the borders of the empire, where they will remain for five days. Dain is assigned a different outpost, within the kingdom wards, to take his squad of first-years.

The cadets quickly pack and prepare for the long flight. Liam is unusually tense. Violet spots Andarna and grows concerned with her ability to keep up and hide during the fights to come, then sees a harness she is wearing that can hook to Tairn, allowing him to carry her easily. Xander approaches and claims both Liam and Violet for his team. Dain pushes back, leading to a fight that culminates in Dain’s realization of their relationship.