Kaltain prepares herself before Duke Perrington enters her rooms, trying to hide that she has been smoking opium. The drug leaves her mind foggy and her body heavy, and she reassures herself that she can blame the opium on her worsening headaches if Perrington notices.

Perrington says he came because Kaltain missed dinner, then flatters her by claiming Dorian called her one of the cleverest women he knows. When Perrington adds that Lady Lillian interrupted Dorian, Kaltain’s jealousy sharpens. Kaltain decides Lillian is moving too quickly toward the prince and that Perrington might be useful in removing her as a rival.

Kaltain carefully suggests that Lady Lillian’s background may not be as respectable as it appears and frames investigating Lillian as a loyal duty to protect the crown prince. Perrington grows intensely interested, and Kaltain resolves to do whatever is necessary to secure Dorian and her own future.

Later, Celaena is reading an old book on Wyrdmark theories when Nehemia enters in formal dress, crying and shaken. Nehemia carries a letter and tells Celaena that a legion of Adarlan’s army captured five hundred Eyllwe rebels near the border of Oakwald Forest and the Stone Marshes.

Nehemia explains that the rebels were supposed to be sent to Calaculla as prisoners of war, but after some tried to escape, Adarlan’s soldiers killed them all as punishment, including children. Overwhelmed by grief and helplessness, Nehemia questions the value of being Eyllwe’s princess if she cannot protect her people. Celaena can only apologize and hold Nehemia while she weeps.