Jude, still disguised as Taryn, dines in the elaborate tent of the Court of Teeth with Madoc and Oriana. She observes Lady Nore, Lord Jarel, and their child ruler, Queen Suren, who sits on a small icy throne with a golden bridle embedded around her mouth and throat. Lord Jarel treats Jude with contempt because she appears mortal, reminding Jude of her old powerlessness and strengthening her resolve to survive and eventually make him afraid.

Jude studies the Court of Teeth’s politics and suspects Lord Jarel and Lady Nore elevated Suren as queen to escape old fealty oaths while controlling her through enchantment. Grimsen arrives, and Jude notices Madoc is uneasy about the smith. At dinner, Jude flatters Grimsen about the earrings he made, hoping he will reveal useful information, but he only invites her to visit his forge.

Jude overhears Madoc and Lady Nore discussing which Courts might join Madoc. Madoc believes Lord Roiben may be angry enough with the Undersea and Cardan to favor rebellion, which frustrates Jude because she killed Balekin to honor her bargain with Roiben, an act Cardan used as grounds for exile. Jude also realizes most low Courts remain bound to the Blood Crown, so Madoc must need a way to break or bypass those oaths.

That night, Jude serves Madoc’s generals while feeling the pull of her old role as Madoc’s dutiful mortal daughter. The next morning, she asks Oriana for an excuse to move around camp. Oriana sends her foraging but warns her to be careful of Grimsen, explaining that the smith may desire Jude either for her beauty or as leverage over Madoc.

Alone in the woods, Jude scouts the rebel camp from higher ground. She spots Grimsen’s forge, a busy large tent that may hold Madoc and maps, and a distant guarded cave whose isolation suggests something dangerous or secret. Deciding Grimsen is still her best chance to learn something useful or find a way out, Jude goes to the forge.

At the forge, Grimsen boasts that he is making a sword to crack the firmament of the isles, presumably for Madoc’s rebellion. Jude manipulates his resentment by praising his legendary work, leading him to reveal that he cursed the Blood Crown so the murderer of its wearer dies, and that many of his creations carry curses. He tells Jude the earrings she wears would destroy all her beauty if their gems were pried out, and admits Cardan’s gifted earring could become a ruby spider that would bite Cardan to death. Jude realizes Grimsen likely tried and failed to kill Cardan, then leaves as quickly as she can while pretending she may visit again.