Jude brings the poisoned Cardan to her rooms while the High King’s guard follows at a distance. Jude sends for the Bomb or an alchemist, forces Cardan to drink water, and keeps Cardan awake by talking with him. Cardan recognizes Balekin as the likely source of the poison and, while feverish and weak, speaks with Jude about his mother, Jude’s mother, and his own cruelty and powerlessness.

The Bomb arrives with clay to help contain the toxins and reports two urgent developments: Grimsen has vanished from his forge, likely to Orlagh, and Balekin has sent Jude a note offering the antidote in exchange for the crown. The Bomb warns that Cardan might survive by drawing on the strength of Elfhame, but Jude realizes Cardan does not understand or claim that power because Jude has ruled through him. Cardan refuses to let Jude go alone and commands the Bomb, by her true name Liliver, to accompany Jude.

Jude meets Balekin in the garden near the roses. Balekin demands the crown, but Jude lies that it is hidden nearby and insists on seeing the antidote first. Jude pretends to drink the wraithberry from Balekin’s vial, though she has already emptied and washed it and filled it with water. Balekin gives Jude a dose of antidote, which Jude holds in her mouth, spits back into the vial, and throws to the Bomb, who runs it to Cardan.

Balekin realizes Jude has tricked him and draws his sword. After nearby courtiers leave at Balekin’s command, Balekin insults Jude and Madoc, revealing he believed Madoc’s old coronation plot was meant to put Balekin on the throne. Jude provokes Balekin, closes inside the reach of his sword, and kills him with a knife before Balekin can finish surrendering. Jude immediately cleans the knife and leaves before the guards arrive.

Jude returns to find Cardan recovering on the couch and confused by her dress. Cardan says the Bomb returned with the antidote, then was called away by a guard, after which someone who looked like Jude arrived. Jude realizes Taryn impersonated her, wearing Jude’s usual clothes and distinctive earrings, and convinced the poisoned, disoriented Cardan to grant a boon freeing Madoc from his vows to the crown so Madoc could command half the army independently. Cardan admits Taryn did not need magic because Cardan trusted Jude, leaving Jude to understand that Madoc has moved against both Jude and the crown with Taryn’s help.