Bree wakes in a windowless room after William finishes healing her injuries from Vaughn's illegal attack. William's notes explain that Bree had a clean fracture in her right clavicle and moderate intra-abdominal bleeding; both have been healed with aether, though Bree is told to wear a sling and stay put. Instead, Bree leaves to look for Nick, learning from William's note that Nick wanted to stay but was sent to the airport.

Bree runs into Sarah, whose new bond with Tor has made her noticeably faster and more energetic. Sarah confirms that Nick expelled Vaughn from the tournament for acting out of vengeance and explains that becoming a Squire is about the right match, not just combat skill. Sarah describes her bond with Tor as deeper and more intimate than romantic love alone, and Bree thinks uneasily about the Abatement that will shorten Sarah's life.

When explosions sound from the woods, Sarah casually identifies the disturbance as Sel, aether-drunk from the Oath and angrier than usual. Sarah warns Bree not to go outside, but Bree is drawn into the forest anyway, partly because Sel had helped her despite Nick's order to stay away. Bree follows the sounds of destruction to the ridge above the arena, where Sel is tearing down trees and throwing them over the cliff.

Sel confronts Bree harshly, mocking her therapy and revealing that he secretly followed her after the Oath and overheard her conversation with Patricia in the gardens. Bree is furious that Sel violated her privacy and terrified of what he may have learned about her family, Rootcraft, and abilities. Sel, drunk and bitter, suggests Bree came out of guilt because she still has not told Nick that she can generate aether, even though that truth would support Sel's suspicions.

Sel then explains why Merlins serve the Legendborn: Merlin's descendants are born mostly human but begin changing at age seven, gaining power while gradually losing humanity to demon blood. The Oaths bind their human and demonic sides together, keeping Merlins in control as long as they remain in service. Sel reveals that Lord Davis threatened to strip him of the Kingsmage title after Nick reported what Sel had done to Bree, which would cut Sel off from his Oath and leave him to self-destruction.

Bree realizes that removing Sel from service would be torture, but Sel refuses her offer to speak to Nick. Sel insists he has not lost his dignity and does not need Bree's help. Before Bree can respond, Sel steps off the cliff and disappears below, leaving Bree with the burden of what he has revealed.