Celaena Sardothien lies drunk and overheated on a market roof in Varese, Wendlyn’s capital, two weeks after landing in the kingdom under the King of Adarlan’s orders. She has run out of money, stolen teggya and wine to survive, and spent her days watching the castle’s defenses instead of carrying out her assigned mission to steal naval defense plans and assassinate Wendlyn’s king and prince.

Celaena’s real purpose in Wendlyn is tangled with grief and obligation. Haunted by Nehemia’s accusation that she is a coward, Celaena has vowed to free Eyllwe by finding and destroying the Wyrdkeys that empower the King of Adarlan. Because Queen Maeve of the Fae may know how to destroy them, Celaena originally planned to seek Maeve’s knowledge before returning to Adarlan.

After arriving by ship with refugee women from Adarlan, Celaena briefly watches over them to ensure Wendlyn’s officials do not harm or exploit them, a choice shaped by what Nehemia would have done. She then travels to Varese, studies the city and castle, and tries to occupy herself while avoiding magic, Fae, and anything that might stir the power inside her.

Celaena’s plans collapse when she sees Crown Prince Galan Ashryver ride from the castle. Galan resembles her with his turquoise eyes, but what breaks her resolve is the people’s love for him and his role as a blockade runner fighting Adarlan. Realizing Galan is a beloved, active force for freedom, Celaena decides her own vow is meaningless and gives up on both her assassination mission and her secret plan to seek Maeve.

In the week since, Celaena has numbed herself with sour wine, rooftop idleness, theft, gambling, and nightly brawls. She remains tormented by Nehemia’s death, Archer Finn’s blood, Chaol’s horror at learning about her Fae heritage, and the ring from Chaol that she repeatedly gambles away and violently wins back. When hunger and thirst finally force her down from the roof, she is confronted by a vagrant woman who mistakes her for another homeless wanderer, revealing how far Celaena has fallen. As Celaena absorbs this humiliation, a deep male voice laughs from the shadows behind her.