The Valg-possessed Morath messenger attacks Lysandra in Aelin’s form, cutting her arm with dark power before Aedion, Endymion, Sellene, and the assembled allies subdue him. As the messenger notices Lysandra’s blood and realizes she is a shifter, Lysandra orders him killed to prevent him from revealing the deception.

Endymion begins to choke the messenger with power, but the Valg’s eyes turn wholly black, indicating he has already sent the truth through a bond: Aelin Galathynius is not with the army. Aedion beheads the messenger, but the damage is done. Nox notices the lack of a Valg ring, and Aedion explains that this creature did not need one because its corruption is deeper.

Aedion and Lysandra retreat to Aedion’s tent, both shaken by what Erawan may now know. Aedion recognizes that Erawan might either fear Aelin is acting elsewhere or attack immediately while Terrasen is vulnerable. Lysandra fears Orynth will become a slaughterhouse, but Aedion reveals he does not intend to obey the lords’ vote to retreat there. Instead, he plans to send Sol and Ravi’s forces to guard the coast while Galan remains with the main army, and then march south to the border.

On the way back to her tent, Lysandra is approached by Nox Owen, who has deduced that she is not Aelin after seeing the Valg’s reaction. Nox reveals that he once knew Celaena Sardothien during the competition at the glass castle and only now understands that she was Aelin. He explains that he served the rebels, that Aelin once warned him to flee, and that he remains loyal to Terrasen and the Galathynius line rather than Darrow.

Lysandra chooses to trust Nox and recruits him into Aedion’s risky plan. That night, Nox drugs the wine of Darrow, Sloane, Gunnar, and Ironwood, sending them into a deep sleep, while Galan, Ilias, Ren, and Ravi ensure the loyal banner men of those lords are also drugged. By morning, the lords awaken to find the camp empty: Aedion, Lysandra, and the army have gone, defying the council and marching away.