On Iantas, Alaric prepares for the first eclipse of the month while villagers and castle staff gather on the beach to watch the aethermancy test like a festival. Talasyn explains that the Nenavarene have accepted the magic because they believe it can stop the Voidfell. Alaric also sees how warmly the people regard Talasyn, whose kindness to servants and refugees has earned their affection.

Sevraim offers coconut liquor, and Talasyn reacts badly to its smell, prompting Alaric to instinctively step between her and the bottle. Ishan Vaikar then presents an altered amplifying configuration that uses Tempestroad strands to increase the range of the eclipse barrier. The first test shows that Talasyn cannot create the light-and-shadow shield with Sevraim; the combined magic works only with Alaric, which Ishan suspects may be tied to bloodlines.

During the main test, Talasyn and Alaric form a vast barrier around the beach. The modified aether cores amplify the shield for half an hour, but the effort begins to affect them internally: Talasyn feels as if she is burning up, while Alaric grows deathly cold. When the jars burst and the Enchanters redirect the released magic into the sea, Talasyn nearly collapses, and Alaric catches her. Their contact immediately eases both conditions, suggesting that their opposing magics can counterbalance each other.

Ishan admits that eclipse magic and amplifiers remain uncharted, which enrages Alaric because any damage to his Shadowgate would endanger Kesath and their plans against the Voidfell. Talasyn stops him from insulting Ishan, but Alaric storms away. When Talasyn follows, the argument turns into a need to test whether their magic still works, so Alaric draws Sevraim into a late-night sparring session hidden among the palms.

Alaric and Sevraim attack Talasyn with shadow-forged weapons while she practices sustaining and reshaping her Lightweave shield. Alaric accidentally cuts Talasyn’s hip, and later Talasyn strikes Alaric’s cheek while escaping a chained bullhook attack. Both are shaken by the injuries because, unlike during the war, neither wants to hurt the other anymore.

After Sevraim drunkenly collapses nearby, Talasyn and Alaric remain at the waterline, still holding hands. They admit that touching each other relieved the strange heat and cold, and Talasyn wonders whether they can protect one another. Alaric wants to believe it but fears the cost of joining light and shadow, while Talasyn remembers the political plan to give him up to the Allfold and realizes how difficult choosing duty over him has become.