Aelin returns toward the khaganate camp with Rowan at her side, newly altered by the forging of the Lock. She is no longer human, her mortal body gone and her magic drastically reduced, and she remains haunted by the many worlds she saw while passing through the gates. Dorian asks what she will tell the others, and Aelin says she will tell the truth.

At the edge of the camp, Lorcan, Fenrys, Gavriel, and Elide immediately sense the change in Aelin. Elide realizes Aelin succeeded in removing the gods, while Lorcan states that Aelin is no longer human. Aelin faces the grim truth that although the gods and the Wyrdkeys are gone, Erawan, Maeve, and Morath's army still remain, and Aelin no longer has the overwhelming power everyone had counted on.

After a difficult meeting with the khaganate royals, Dorian sits with Chaol and Yrene and reflects on what was gained and lost. Dorian recognizes that he and Aelin sealed the Wyrdgate and prevented Erawan from summoning his brothers or using the keys, but Erawan himself survived. Dorian also feels the loss of his former limitless magic and avoids confronting the grief of his father's sacrifice, while Chaol and Yrene try to frame the outcome as a partial salvation.

In Aelin's tent, Elide bathes with Aelin and gently questions her about her remaining power and her altered identity. Aelin admits her magic now has a clear bottom and that she had not expected to survive, rule, or live beyond forging the Lock. Elide offers Aelin Silba's ring, arguing that Aelin is more likely to face Erawan or Maeve and that Aelin deserves to be protected in return; after resisting out of guilt, Aelin accepts it.

Borte bursts into the tent and bluntly explains that Hasar, Sartaq, and the others are angry because they face enormous odds without Erawan defeated, but that they still like Aelin. Borte then declares that she wants to fly above Aelin in battle, even though Aelin had never planned for a battlefield role because Aelin expected to be dead. After Borte leaves, Aelin notices the snow and recognizes it as northern snow.

The storm becomes so fierce that Nesryn and Sartaq order the ruks to shelter for the day and night. In Hasar's tent, Sartaq, Nesryn, Hasar, and Kashin discuss whether to continue north despite the weather and the daunting enemy force. Sartaq insists the khaganate will keep its promise and march all the way to Orynth, while Kashin hopes the storm does not delay them until there is nothing left to save.