At the next Test, the Champions must duel assigned partners. Cain easily defeats Grave, proving again how dangerous he is, while Celaena watches with anger because Cain already knows her true identity and has been amused by her disguise and restraint.

Verin taunts Celaena and Nox with crude insults, and Brullo orders Verin and Celaena into the ring to settle it. Celaena decides she is finished pretending to be weak: without drawing her sword, she disarms Verin, strikes him, and kicks him out of the ring, eliminating him instantly. She then warns Brullo to give her real opponents and confronts Cain, promising that she will win the competition despite his mockery.

Back in Celaena’s rooms, the approaching snowstorm deepens Celaena’s sense of isolation. Looking at Queen Elena’s tapestry and touching Elena’s amulet, Celaena thinks of old adventures, Terrasen’s stag, and Sam, wishing Sam were alive to stand beside her. Elena’s warning to find the castle’s evil still weighs on Celaena, though Celaena thinks the king himself is the clearest evil in the world.

Elsewhere in the castle, Kaltain sits beside Queen Georgina during a court performance, an honor arranged through Perrington. Kaltain knows Perrington desires her and could offer her the title of duchess, but Kaltain considers that insufficient while Dorian remains unmarried. Her severe headaches continue, pressing the phrase “not enough” into her thoughts and dreams.

Kaltain tries to manipulate Queen Georgina by pretending Dorian confided in Kaltain, hoping to draw the queen closer and improve Kaltain’s prospects. Instead, Queen Georgina reveals that there are rumors Dorian favors an unknown young woman, then praises Kaltain as suitable for Perrington. Kaltain subtly argues that her beauty and wealth could make her worthy of Dorian, and when the queen seems to agree, Kaltain sees an opening to pursue the prince.