Jude spends the night in the Court of Shadows preparing defenses for Oak against the Undersea: winged guards, a spy posing as a nanny, food tasters, and hidden archers. Cardan arrives unexpectedly and tells Jude that Nicasia revealed Orlagh plans to act during Locke and Taryn’s wedding, suggesting the Undersea wants land and sea united either through alliance or fear.

Jude tells Cardan about Grimsen’s offer to forge armor and weapons if Cardan declares war on the Undersea. Their conversation turns tense when Cardan tries to discuss their recent intimacy, but Jude claims it meant nothing and lies that her desire is gone. Cardan leaves, and Jude privately realizes the encounter has only intensified her longing.

Jude visits Madoc in his strategy room and proposes cooperation, saying that if they can control when the Undersea strikes, Oak will be safer. Madoc doubts her motives, but Jude offers useful intelligence: Nicasia’s warning and a method for feeding believable information to Balekin through Lady Asha. Madoc accepts the possibility of collaboration while reminding Jude that he still wants her to run the kingdom for her family’s benefit.

The next day, Cardan grants Balekin an audience in the throne room. Jude has arranged for Lady Asha to receive a note falsely suggesting Oak will travel secretly by boat after Taryn’s wedding, hoping Balekin will learn and pass along the bait. Balekin demands release from the Tower and insists Cardan needs him, but Cardan refuses.

Balekin tries to manipulate Cardan by invoking their murdered family and Cardan’s old resentments, then insults Jude as a mortal girl unfit to help rule. Cardan holds his ground, declaring Balekin imprisoned not from fear or revenge but because justice requires it. Balekin is sent back to the Tower, furious and full of hatred.

Two nights before the wedding, Jude practices sword forms alone before a mirror. She fights her reflection until exhaustion, but the exercise does not satisfy her, and she feels that she can never truly defeat herself.