After Aelin and Rowan take a private moment, Elide helps the others pack the treasure from the barrow tomb into their bags. Lorcan remarks that Aelin is thinking ahead, but Fenrys turns cold and blames Lorcan for the danger and suffering that brought them to this point. Fenrys promises that when they survive, Fenrys and Lorcan will settle matters, and Lorcan accepts the challenge with brutal eagerness.

Elide recognizes that neither Gavriel nor any words of caution can stop the conflict building between Fenrys and Lorcan. Before Elide can argue that vengeance will not satisfy them, Aelin and Rowan return to the boat, with Goldryn once again at Aelin’s side.

As the group pushes away from the shore, hissing rises from the passage they have left behind. Shadowed, scabbed hands claw at the archway but recoil from the light, suggesting the tomb’s creatures are furious over the stolen gold. Aelin does not draw her sword or summon flame; she merely stands beside Elide, cold and composed, while an icy wind moves through the cave and the hissing stops.

The group continues along the underground river for another two days without reaching the sea. During a heavy, dreamless sleep, Aelin is awakened by Rowan and sees thousands of blue glowworms clinging to the cavern ceiling, their light reflected in the black water until the cave becomes a sea of stars.

The sight steadies Aelin. The hidden beauty reminds her that the world still has things worth defending, and she recommits herself to fighting Morath and Maeve one last time. Aelin reflects on the wedding ring she reclaimed: although her blood may still doom her to sacrifice, the ring gives her proof of who she is, whom she loves, and what she has promised as the star-like lights seem to sing them onward toward the sea.