Celaena is trapped in Maeve’s office with Rowan blocking the door, and Maeve immediately names her as Aelin Galathynius. Celaena denies the identity internally and aloud, but Maeve refuses the lie. Maeve’s calm, ancient power unsettles Celaena, who realizes she must endure the confrontation if she wants answers about the Wyrdkeys.

Maeve introduces Rowan as Prince Rowan, a distant relation from Mora’s bloodline and a member of Maeve’s household. Maeve reveals that Celaena’s parents broke her laws by eloping and that Celaena’s mother had promised to let Maeve see her after birth, but instead kept Celaena hidden. Maeve also alludes to the reports she has gathered about Celaena’s life, including her scars and history, prompting Celaena to cut her off before Rowan can learn too much.

Maeve presses Celaena about her fire magic and probes at her mind until Celaena resists. Maeve claims Celaena’s mother tried to stifle her rare power, while Maeve only wanted Celaena to submit to it. When Celaena asks why Maeve did not help Terrasen ten years earlier, Maeve implies she was lied to, then shifts to the true bargain: Maeve will answer Celaena’s questions about the Wyrdkeys only in Doranelle, and only after Celaena proves herself.

Maeve declares that half-Fae are not permitted into Doranelle unless they demonstrate worth and mastery, so Celaena must remain at Mistward and train under Rowan until Rowan decides her gifts are ready. Celaena secures Maeve’s promise that the answers about the keys will be truthful, but Maeve frames the training as more than a test of magic. Maeve says she wants Celaena to become what she was born to be: queen.

After the audience, Rowan escorts Celaena through Mistward, and Celaena’s anger at Maeve, the bargain, and the idea of queenship spills into insults. Celaena provokes Rowan by comparing Fae like him to the reason for Adarlan’s hatred, and Rowan punches her, then effortlessly defeats Celaena when she tries to retaliate. The fight humiliates Celaena and proves that Rowan is far more dangerous than a mere escort.

Rowan leaves Celaena in a small, cold room and confiscates every weapon, telling Celaena she will earn her keep in the kitchen starting at dawn and train only when Rowan allows. Alone and hungry, Celaena tends her split lip and lies awake, thinking of Terrasen, Nehemia’s grave, and the princess she believes failed her kingdom. Rather than embrace Maeve’s command to become queen, Celaena turns away from the stars and wishes for a world where she is no one at all.