To avoid revealing that Jude has entered the palace, Jude goes to the Mandrake Market instead of taking one of her own dresses for Locke’s masquerade. She buys a human-faced mask from a shopkeeper who alters it to resemble Jude, making Jude think of Taryn. While searching for a gown, Jude encounters Mother Marrow, who offers her unsettling soup that tastes like memories of the mortal world. Jude trades pearl earrings from the Undersea for the soup and a dress, receiving a walnut that contains an enchanted apricot gown.

Jude returns to Hollow Hall, where Balekin questions her absence. In Cardan’s rooms, Jude opens the walnut, dresses, and discovers hidden pockets where she places Balekin’s poison and a knife. Balekin confirms that Jude knows the task, and Jude lets him believe she intends to kill Cardan. Balekin expresses resentment that Cardan imprisoned him and did not give him power, while Jude reflects on Cardan’s childhood vulnerability and Balekin’s likely responsibility for violence against Roiben’s court.

At the masquerade, Jude enters on Balekin’s arm and searches for Cardan. She confronts Locke for arranging the attack on her before Taryn interrupts, but Lord Roiben draws Jude away before Jude can explain the full truth to her sister. Roiben tells Jude that Kaye will live and demands satisfaction for the attack on the Court of Termites, warning that if Cardan cannot provide it, Roiben will call in Jude’s debt. Jude promises to fix the situation.

As the court gathers, Jude notices Lady Asha, Cardan’s mother, returned to court and likely positioned to gain influence. Cardan finally enters, apparently very drunk, falls, laughs, seizes a lute, sings a vulgar song, and humiliates himself before the assembled rulers and courtiers. When Roiben formally asks permission for vengeance, Cardan mockingly refuses, damaging the High King’s authority and Jude’s plan. Madoc then pressures Jude to force Cardan to abdicate in favor of Oak, but Jude refuses, insisting her choices are still for her family.

Jude tries to guide Cardan out and commands him to sober himself, but Cardan kisses Jude publicly. The taste on Cardan’s mouth reveals wraithberry, and Jude realizes Cardan is not drunk but poisoned. She begins arranging water and blankets while trying to remove Cardan before the court sees him die in disgrace. Balekin then announces that Cardan has been poisoned and tries to make Jude empty her pockets, expecting the vial of wraithberry to incriminate her. Jude counters by claiming Cardan is drunk and noting Balekin is also not bound to the land; when Balekin orders Jude away, Cardan insists she stay, allowing Jude to lead the poisoned High King out of the hall.