Celaena watches Dorian teach Nehemia basic fencing and privately admits that the Crown Prince is more charming and attractive than she wants to acknowledge. The thought unsettles Celaena because she has not wanted to kiss anyone since losing Sam, the assassin she grew up with.

Nehemia manages to strike Dorian on the wrist, and the moment briefly amuses Celaena. The easy scene ends when Chaol grabs Celaena and demands to know why Dorian is sparring with Nehemia, clearly alarmed by the arrangement.

Chaol pulls Dorian aside for a tense conversation, then orders Celaena back to her rooms with guards. Celaena protests because the next Test is the following day and she wants more training, but Chaol insists that her lesson ended hours ago and that she should rest.

Celaena argues that Chaol is punishing her and that he remains afraid she will run. She reminds Chaol that escaping would mean being hunted forever, and that her body is still damaged from Endovier, which is why she needs extra training.

Chaol responds coldly that he will not pretend to understand a criminal mind. Hurt and furious, Celaena says she hates being confined, guarded, forced to hold back in training, and controlled by Chaol, then leaves with anger toward him fully rekindled.