Chapter 3 begins at the conclusion of the altercation between Violet and Jack. Jack stands by his threat to kill Violet, but saves it for a later date. The rain turns into a drizzle, and Violet is left to deal with the pain in her knee. She makes a point to find a way to bind her knee before anyone notices. She’s interrupted in thought by Rhiannon, who is thankful for Violet letting her borrow her riding boot.
As Violet is overcome with a wave of nausea she runs into Dain Aetos, her childhood best friend. Dain springs into action, tending to Violet’s injury. This is the first instance where we see Violet struggling with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. (This disorder isn’t explicitly noted in the series, but Yarros has confirmed through interviews that she and Violet both struggle with this disorder.) As Dain reconnects with Violet, he is shocked to hear that she is choosing to pursue the Riders Quadrant as opposed to studying in the Scribe Quadrant. Violet explains to him that it wasn’t a choice–that her mom forced her to join the Riders Quadrant. He begins to devise a plan to sneak Violet into the Scribe Quadrant. Violet is quick to reject this offer. Instead, they sneak into his dorm on the third floor so he can help her bind her knee. Readers can begin to see the romantic tension forming between these two now that they are alone together for the first time in a year or so.
In his room they begin to argue about Violet’s capability of success in the Riders Quadrant. Dain alludes to his belief that Violet won’t make it past the grueling challenges that are required in order to graduate. He is adamant that Violet belongs in the Scribe Quadrant, since that is what she has studied her entire life. Violet is defensive, and calls him out for underestimating her strength and perseverance. The tension eases when Violet makes a flirty remark at Dain. They head back down to the courtyard to get into formation.
Down in the courtyard Violet reconnects with Rhiannon, who introduces her to Tara–a woman from the Morraine province who, according to Violet, has a similar personality to Mira. As everyone settles into the courtyard, Violet notices Xaden towering over everyone. Commandant Panchek addresses the cadets and riders, providing the statistics of the cadets who did not make it past the parapet that day. He also provides the statistics of riders that are likely to survive until graduation. Typically, only a quarter of the cadets that made it across the parapet will graduate.
Rhiannon and Tara quietly debate the motives of Commandant Panchek, stating that he is trying to elevate his rank to General. Violet assured them that he will never replace her mother and the other General (General Melgren). We learn that General “…Melgren’s dragon gives him the signet ability to see a battle’s outcome before it happens” (Yarros 39).
After the speech concludes, the riders are split into their sections and squads. There are three squads in each section and three sections in each of the four wings. Dain is announced as a squad leader, and Violet and Rhiannon are called to his command in Second Squad, Flame Section, Second Wing. As Violet is settling into her formation she makes eye contact with Xaden from across the dais. He seems to be deep in thought, and calls a small meeting with the wingleaders. To Violet’s surprise, she relocated to Fourth Wing–Xaden’s wing. This decision means that Xaden is now in charge of disciplining Violet however he sees fit.
Before Violet has time to process this decision a group of eight dragons fly to the courtyard and perch on the outer walls. A few cadets scream, and the cadets that flee in fear are instantly incinerated by the dragons. Violet noticed the large, navy dragon seems to be particularly interested in her. She fears that the dragon can sense her weaknesses. Xaden makes it clear to the new cadets that the dragons are to be feared as well as respected.
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