After finishing a disappointing book, Celaena paces through her rooms and broods over her earlier clash with Chaol. She worries about the next Test and the murdered Champion, so she takes precautions: squeaky door hinges and stolen sewing needles embedded in soap as a crude weapon.

Celaena enters the music and gaming room and is drawn to the pianoforte. Playing awakens memories of Arobynn, her former life, her capture, and especially Sam, whose death still overwhelms her. As Celaena plays, the music becomes a release for grief, anger, and the part of herself that survived Endovier.

Dorian arrives intending to tease Celaena but instead finds her emotionally exposed at the instrument. When Dorian sits beside her, Celaena startles and becomes defensive. Their conversation shifts from the books Dorian sent to the dead Champion Sven, and Dorian tells Celaena that the king—not Chaol—ordered guards to kill any escaping Champions.

Dorian asks about Celaena's relationship with Chaol and presses at Celaena's loneliness, which Celaena denies. Their banter turns sharp when Celaena rejects the idea of becoming one of Dorian's lovers and accuses Dorian of treating her like an adventure or court amusement. Dorian is embarrassed but intrigued, and the exchange leaves both of them aware of a dangerous attraction.

Before leaving, Dorian jokes about Celaena's secret lover and immediately realizes he has hurt her. Celaena reveals that the man's name was Sam and that he died thirteen months earlier. Dorian apologizes and leaves after wishing her luck in the Test, unable to forget Celaena's music or grief.