A week after Cardan returns to his true form, Jude’s coronation is held at night on the new Isle of Insear. Many rulers and subjects attend, conspicuously bringing mortals as guests to please the new High Queen. Cardan has also admitted three makers into Elfhame’s household: Mother Marrow, an ancient hob, and Robert of Jersey, a mortal smith who once knew Jude’s human father.

Baphen conducts the ceremony under the stars. Oak, named as Cardan’s blood and heir, places matching gold crowns on Cardan and Jude. The Folk accept Cardan as High King and Jude as High Queen, and Jude is relieved when the crowd affirms her rule. Cardan then distributes rewards: Grima Mog receives Madoc’s sword, Taryn is cleared by the Court and granted Locke’s estates for herself and her child, and the Court of Shadows receive enchanted silver masks that let them move openly without sacrificing anonymity.

Cardan leaves judgment of the prisoners to Jude. For Madoc’s soldiers, Jude divides punishment by intent: those who refuse atonement are transformed into falcons until they can go a year and a day without hurting any living thing, while those who repent may return to the High Court but must bear permanently red-stained hands as a mark of betrayal.

Lady Nore and Queen Suren come next. After Jude confirms that Lady Nore knew of Lord Jarel’s bridle plot and that Suren knows her captors’ secrets, Oak quietly asks Jude to help Suren. Jude accepts Suren’s vow to the High Court, forces Lady Nore to swear fealty to Suren instead of to herself, keeps the golden bridle unused, and abolishes the Court of Teeth by seizing its lands, titles, and strongholds. Suren is spared because of Oak’s intercession, though Jude notes that Suren may be more dangerous than she first seemed.

Madoc is brought forward in iron-like bonds and refuses to beg. He asks Jude for a quick death, but Jude chooses a harsher mercy shaped by both duty and love. Madoc must forget the secret name he knows, swear loyalty and obedience, live out the rest of his days in the mortal world, and never again take up a weapon. Madoc accepts, calling Jude his queen, and Jude quietly says goodbye to him as her father.

After the coronation, Jude, Taryn, Cardan, Vivi, and Oak travel to the mortal world, where Oriana and Oak will live near the exiled Madoc. Vivi prepares to reconnect with Heather and celebrate Jude and Cardan’s marriage. Cardan experiences the mortal world with curiosity, they buy pizza, and the family gathers in Vivi’s apartment for an improvised newlywed party. Jude recognizes the fragile happiness of being safe and together, toasting family, Faerie, stories, new beginnings, and future schemes.