Violet is struggling with the discovery of her signet power - the power of lightning. She sees it as destructive and that she has now become the worst version of herself. Despite everything Jack did to her, she can't forgive herself for taking a life. Xaden initially tries to comfort her and convince her that she had no choice and did the right thing. Jack would have killed her eventually and clearly had tried many times. Violet continues to be angry at herself and what she is becoming which Xaden then starts to take personally since she seems to be describing who he is.

Violet starts to soften to Xaden's argument. She realizes that despite never having had this before, she actually has some agency in her life that she didn't fully realize. Her signet power, her bonds with two dragons, her intelligence and her skills that she's developed, even in combat, means she can't just be controlled and pushed down. She can actually do something meaningful in ways that she never imagined. But what should her purpose be? Protecting Navarre from Poromiel? Xaden is encouraging overall of her thought process but starts to get awkward and avoids any real answers when it comes to her final question about protecting Navarre from Poromiel. Violet is suspicious of what he's hiding.

Xaden is checking on Violet in her room later that night as a guy is leaving her room. She's drunk and giggling after a night out to let off some steam. Xaden is tries to hide his jealousy and expresses concern for Violet's behavior. He tells her she shouldn't bring people back to her room since other students are likely still trying to kill her to claim Tairn. She is unfiltered and having too much fun to bother with Xaden's chiding. He helps her get ready for bed and at one point she tries to kiss him. He pulls away and gets super uncomfortable.

The next morning, Violet wakes up with a hangover and Xaden is still in her room, leading to an awkward conversation about the previous night's events and Xaden's clear discomfort with Violet's behavior. She gets frustrated about the mixed signals he is sending, seeming like jealousy and protectiveness forcing him to confront his feelings.

Violet and Xaden stand in the doorway of her room, locked in a tense silence, until Violet finally breaks the silence and asks Xaden to be honest with her - and himself - about his feelings and what he truly wants.