Two days after the Moonless Dark, Urduja returns early to the Roof of Heaven to project stability after the crisis. Talasyn attends council still weakened, while Alaric remains asleep after the ordeal. The council debates what Bakun’s awakening means: Ishan tries to explain the World-Eater’s millennial cycle scientifically, while Talasyn insists that Bakun breathes out Voidfell when it dreams of battle and Iyaram.

Kai Gitab suggests killing Bakun, but Urduja refuses because Nenavar still depends on the Void Sever as a strategic weapon, especially while Kesath possesses its own limited supply. Talasyn argues that Bakun can be reasoned with, but Gitab warns that future generations may still need eclipse magic to prevent Dead Season. Ishan then proposes preserving both the Ivralis and Ossinast bloodlines through Talasyn and Alaric’s heirs, shocking most of the room.

Talasyn hides her own discomfort and uses a composed political response to keep Gitab from sensing the deeper tensions in the council. Urduja ends the discussion and signals that the matter will be revisited without Gitab present. Talasyn privately recognizes that Nenavar’s secret arrangement with Sardovia, and Alaric’s refusal to consider peace, mean she may still have to betray him despite wanting to save his life.

Later, Alaric endures a final fitting with Belrok, who reacts badly to Alaric’s new scar and insists on further alterations to the masquerade outfit. In the foyer, Alaric and Belrok encounter Talasyn and Niamha. Niamha deftly removes Belrok after noticing the awkward tension between Talasyn and Alaric, leaving the married pair alone.

Talasyn invites Alaric to tea in the hibiscus garden, and their conversation turns unexpectedly intimate in small ways. Alaric notices Talasyn dislikes tea and orders cocoa for her instead; they tease each other about the small physical signs by which they have learned to read one another. When Alaric asks about council, Talasyn admits Ishan’s suggestion that they should eventually have children to preserve eclipse magic.

Alaric calmly says he always understood that heirs would eventually be expected, but he wants to wait until the war on the Continent is over so any child will not grow up in wartime. Talasyn is moved by this glimpse of his desire to break from their shared childhoods as soldiers, but the thought of loving him only deepens her guilt. As they talk about harmless court matters, Talasyn is painfully aware that the marriage treaty’s original purpose is over and that Sardovia’s coming move will shatter the fragile peace between them.