Over two weeks at Mistward, Celaena settles into a steadier rhythm: scullery work in the mornings and evenings, and magical training with Rowan during the day. Rowan pushes Celaena to explore a seemingly bottomless reserve of power, especially by practicing in ruined places where losing control is safer. As Celaena makes Rowan talk about his campaigns and travels, Celaena senses the grief and rage beneath Rowan’s stories and begins to hate Maeve more deeply.

When Emrys announces that Beltane is approaching, Celaena remembers the fire-filled celebrations of Terrasen and the freedom Celaena once felt as Aelin Fireheart. On Beltane, instead of letting Celaena rest, Rowan brings Celaena to the festival field and orders Celaena to ignite and maintain three bonfires, including two low ones for jumpers and a great central blaze. Celaena worries that the task could hurt people, but Rowan stays beside Celaena to supervise.

As night falls, music, dancing, food, and visiting demi-Fae surround Celaena while Celaena keeps the fires steady. The music begins to affect Celaena’s magic, making the flames shift in color and rhythm. Celaena realizes that Wyrdmarks are a way of harnessing and binding the threads of existence, just as magic can shape the world through will and imagination. Rowan notices the music steadying Celaena, but Celaena becomes too absorbed in the flames and ignores the growing pain and danger.

Rowan realizes Celaena is nearing burnout and orders Celaena to stop, but Celaena cannot release the magical tethers. When the fires surge and Celaena collapses, Rowan cuts off the air to snuff the connection and then carries Celaena to the baths with help from healers. Celaena’s body is burning from within, and Rowan repeatedly freezes the bathwater as Celaena boils through one tub after another. Rowan’s ice and will finally force the internal fire back until Celaena is no longer in immediate danger.

After the healers leave to prepare a tonic, Rowan cools Celaena and explains that burnout could destroy Celaena from the inside, warning Celaena not to touch magic again until rested. When Rowan returns and sees the scars covering Celaena’s bare back, Rowan asks who did it. Celaena admits that many people did, because Celaena spent a year as a slave in the Salt Mines of Endovier. Rowan reacts with controlled, lethal rage, but after recognizing the truth of Celaena’s past, Rowan leaves quietly and does not return.