Sir Fand, a former schoolmate now serving as a knight, urgently brings Jude to the throne room, where Nicasia has arrived with soldiers from the Undersea. Nicasia blames Jude because Queen Orlagh has been struck by a living, iron-tainted bolt that cannot be removed. Jude realizes Madoc sent the Ghost to wound Orlagh, not kill her, so Madoc can hold the queen’s life over the Undersea and weaken Elfhame’s alliance.

After Nicasia leaves to return to her mother, Randalin warns that Orlagh’s weakness could invite challenges beneath the sea. In the strategy room, Cardan, Jude, Randalin, Baphen, and the new Grand General Yorn reconsider their defenses. Yorn favors stopping Madoc’s ships before parlay, but Jude argues that Madoc likely wants a duel and warns that if Nicasia inherits the Undersea throne, Madoc might buy her alliance by promising to save Orlagh.

Sir Fand interrupts with a message from Taryn, asking Jude to meet at Cardan’s old home, Hollow Hall. Cardan insists on coming, and the journey unsettles him because Hollow Hall belonged to Balekin, who raised and abused him. The enchanted door admits Cardan and reveals that Taryn is below with someone else in the real dungeons beneath the house.

In the dungeon, Jude and Cardan find Taryn guarding the Ghost in an oubliette. The Ghost confirms that Madoc ordered him to shoot Orlagh with the unnatural bolt and that Lord Jarel enchanted him to survive underwater. When Cardan asks whether Madoc gave any other commands, the Ghost begins climbing out to attack, but Taryn speaks his true name, Larkin Gorm Garrett, and commands him to forget all orders but hers.

The Ghost admits Madoc ordered him to kill Cardan if he had the chance. Taryn explains that Locke carelessly revealed the Ghost’s true name, and Jude is relieved that Taryn used that knowledge to protect them rather than betray them. Cardan decides the Council must not learn they have Orlagh’s attacker, since the Council would likely hand him over to the Undersea, so the Ghost will be hidden with the Bomb.

Back at the palace, Cardan escorts the Ghost away while Taryn walks Jude to the royal chambers. Taryn warns Jude that Cardan wants Jude to like him, though that does not mean Jude should. Alone in Cardan’s rooms, Jude tries to convince herself their marriage is only an alliance, but she falls asleep waiting for him and wakes still alone, imagining he has avoided sharing the bed with her.