After Alaric leaves the gala, Talasyn endures the humiliation of sitting without him before the Kesathese officers. Urduja, Elagbi, and Jie ease the tension by charming the table into conversation, giving Talasyn time to wait for the right opening.

When Commodore Mathire is distracted, Talasyn flatters General Vim and exploits his pride. Believing Talasyn to be a fearful but loyal empress, Vim reveals that the captured Allfold rebels are being held in the eastern prison wing, which is guarded by ballista platforms, sentry towers, and soldiers from a nearby mess hall.

After the feast, Nordaye escorts Talasyn and the Nenavarene delegation back through the fortress. Urduja and Elagbi discuss Regent Gaheris's absence, the rumor that he is ill, and the possibility that Alaric took the throne to stabilize a vulnerable postwar empire while Gaheris continues ruling from the shadows. Talasyn concludes that Gaheris still has power over Alaric, shown by how quickly Alaric answered his summons.

Once alone with Nordaye, Talasyn orders him to take her to Alaric. Nordaye obeys, but Sevraim blocks the entrance to Alaric's rooms. Talasyn uses her status as empress to force her way inside and waits in Alaric's austere bedroom, unsettled by how clearly the room carries Alaric's scent and presence.

Alaric finally stumbles in, badly wounded and nearly collapsing. Talasyn helps him onto the bed, removes his blood-soaked tunic, and recognizes that the wounds were caused by Shadowgate rather than battle. Under pressure, Alaric admits that Gaheris inflicted the injuries as punishment for his supposed shortcomings.

Talasyn realizes Gaheris's cruelty extends to his own son and understands that Alaric has been conditioned not to resist. Alaric refuses a healer because no one can see him vulnerable, but his panic and pain move Talasyn to stay. When he admits that his back is worse, Talasyn turns him over and sees severe thornlike burns and lashes, resolving to tend him before asking more questions.