Nesryn confirms that the kharankui described Maeve as a Valg queen: Orcus’s wife, who entered this world, hid from the Valg kings, and remade Fae memory so completely that even Brannon believed she was one of three sister-queens. The revelation explains Maeve’s darkness, agelessness, fear of fire, and reliance on an enslaved Fae healer in owl form.

The group connects this truth to what Chaol and Yrene learned about the Valg as parasites, and to Yrene’s ability to heal possessed hosts. Aelin realizes Maeve’s blood and identity were glamoured even to Rowan and Fenrys, who once swore blood oaths to her. Elide questions whether Maeve would ally with the Valg kings, but Fenrys recalls Maeve’s eagerness to control a Valg collar, leaving her intentions uncertain and alarming.

Aelin then tells the khaganate allies that Maeve held Aelin captive for two months, seeking the Wyrdkeys and trying to break Aelin’s will. Aelin explains that Dorian and Manon are hunting the keys and that others are fighting in Terrasen. Hasar responds with fury and promises Maeve will pay, and Aelin agrees.

After the shock, Elide redirects the group to the immediate threat: the next day’s battle at Anielle. Chaol offers Aelin Wyrdmark books from the Torre if they survive. The plan is set: Aelin’s party will return to the keep with Chaol and Yrene, while Nesryn and Sartaq lead the ruks and Hasar commands foot soldiers and Darghan cavalry from the khaganate camp.

Aelin leaves the tent and breaks down beside a frozen stream, confessing to Rowan that she cannot face both Erawan and Maeve and that Maeve and Cairn left her feeling severed from herself. Rowan refuses to let her accept defeat, reminds Aelin that she survived Maeve, and tells her they will fight until they cannot. Aelin takes strength from Rowan’s steadiness and repeats that they will fight.

Later, Aelin sits with Fenrys, offering to talk whenever Fenrys needs it. Fenrys tells Aelin that Maeve’s healers sometimes defied Maeve by keeping Aelin unconscious longer than ordered, sparing Aelin further pain. Nearby, Rowan and Gavriel discuss how Maeve’s identity changes the war, the danger of fighting Fae armies, Gavriel’s wish to take Aelin’s blood oath after Aedion, and their urgent need to persuade the khaganate to march north to Terrasen after Anielle.