Celaena wakes late when the puppy licks her face. Dorian arrives and explains that he took the puppy out at dawn, then tells Celaena it is nearly one in the afternoon. Celaena worries because the next Test is in two days and will determine the four finalists, but she is relieved that no new attack seems to have happened overnight.

Dorian asks whether Celaena has named the puppy. After rejecting his suggestion, Celaena chooses the name Fleetfoot, imagining the dog someday outrunning Dorian’s purebreds. The light exchange is strained by the memory of Dorian and Celaena’s kiss the previous night.

Dorian apologizes for being too forward, and Celaena awkwardly insists she did not mind the kiss while denying that she liked it. Their teasing briefly turns playful, but when Dorian sees the scars on Celaena’s back, his mood changes. Celaena refuses pity and tells Dorian that everyone bears scars, though hers are more visible, before leaving to dress.

The chapter shifts to Kaltain walking with Duke Perrington in the palace greenhouse. Kaltain is repulsed by Perrington but hides it, still focused on winning Dorian. Perrington notices her interest in Dorian and directs the conversation to Lady Lillian, suggesting that the girl is not who she claims to be.

Perrington reveals that Lady Lillian is actually Celaena Sardothien, the notorious assassin. Kaltain realizes that simply exposing Celaena might not be enough to remove her from Dorian’s life. Perrington proposes that during the final duel’s ceremonial toast, Kaltain should slip bloodbane into Celaena’s drink—not enough to kill her outright, but enough to make her lose control and give Cain the advantage.

Kaltain hesitates at the idea of personally helping cause Celaena’s death, but Perrington frames the plot as a way to protect Dorian and restore him to the proper path. Though Kaltain’s instincts warn her to flee, her desire for Dorian, the crown, and the throne wins. Kaltain agrees to do whatever Perrington instructs.