After the destruction of two witch towers, Orynth’s remaining defenders spend a grim night facing the reality of Morath’s hundred-thousand-strong army. Ren and Aedion acknowledge that no obvious help remains and that the repaired third tower could doom them. Ren says serving in Aelin’s court would have been an honor, and Aedion accepts the likely end with quiet grief.

On the way to bed, Aedion finds Lysandra carrying warm milk for a terrified Evangeline. With Lysandra’s permission, Aedion visits Evangeline and comforts her by admitting that he was sick with fear before his first battle. Aedion tells Evangeline that fear proves she has something worth defending, and that love can help them rise above fear. Before leaving, Aedion tells Lysandra that he lost his family ten years ago and will now fight for the new one he has made.

At dawn, Lysandra sees that Aedion’s words have steadied Evangeline. Darrow stops Lysandra and Evangeline and brings them into a study containing the last sacred texts saved from the Library of Orynth and a preserved kingsflame from Orlon’s reign. Darrow asks Evangeline to serve as his messenger during the battle, offering her armor and a purpose. When Lysandra challenges his motives, Darrow admits that the despair on Evangeline’s face reminded him of the children he saw during Adarlan’s invasion, and Lysandra thanks him.

On the city walls, Aedion watches Morath’s army advance while the damaged tower remains temporarily unusable. Then Ren spots a dark shape in the sky, and Aedion realizes the Ironteeth aerial legion is coming on wyverns. The sight breaks the defenders’ confidence, because Orynth cannot withstand both the ground army and more than a thousand flying witches. Aedion orders the soldiers to hold the line and has Ren move Rolfe’s firelances into higher positions, though Aedion knows the defense may be hopeless.

Lysandra arrives and offers to take wyvern form, but Aedion tells her there is nothing she can do against so many Ironteeth. Aedion begs Lysandra to take Evangeline through a mountain tunnel and flee, then finally admits that he is in love with her. Lysandra refuses to leave and links her hand with his as his commanders arrive for orders.

A warning of wyverns from the north interrupts them, but Aedion recognizes the lead silver-winged wyvern and orders everyone to hold fire. Manon Blackbeak and the Thirteen land on Orynth’s walls, crowned and no longer servants of any master. Manon declares that she has come to honor a promise to Aelin Galathynius and fight for a better world. At her signal, thousands of red-cloaked Crochan witches fly out of the Staghorns and descend on Orynth, giving Terrasen an aerial force to challenge the Ironteeth.