On the outskirts of a ramshackle city, Lorcan, Elide, Rowan, and Gavriel weigh contradictory information from Maeve’s commanders. One claimed Maeve’s orders came from Doranelle, while another pointed toward Akkadia, leaving the group uncertain whether Maeve has hidden Aelin in her own stronghold or behind Akkadian armies.

Elide argues that Doranelle is plausible precisely because it seems too obvious, and she cites Maeve’s past ability to hide people and fleets from Rowan. Lorcan counters that Doranelle would be difficult to infiltrate, that Maeve’s veiling could make Aelin impossible to find, and that Akkadia is much closer. Rowan decides they will search Akkadia first because it is the faster lead and because reaching Doranelle exhausted could cost them their only chance.

After Elide leaves the fire, Lorcan follows and tries to explain that he did not support Akkadia to spite her. Elide remains furious over his betrayal on the beach and accuses him of crawling after Maeve when the blood oath was severed. Lorcan tells Elide that he was crawling toward Aelin and the iron coffin, but Elide walks away; when Gavriel later says Lorcan was not lying, Elide ignores them both.

That night, Rowan dreams of Aelin across a vast chasm, older, pregnant, and surrounded by their children. A black wind sweeps in and destroys Aelin and the children while Rowan is unable to reach them. Rowan wakes shaken, recognizes it as a recurring dream, and takes over Gavriel’s watch.

Alone, Rowan reconsiders whether to fly to Doranelle by himself, but concludes that rescuing Aelin will require Lorcan and Gavriel’s strength. Rowan reflects on the silent mating bond, suspects Maeve has somehow dampened it, and blames himself for not sensing Aelin’s danger sooner. Holding Goldryn, he thinks of Maeve’s manipulations, Lyria’s death, Aelin’s likely suffering, and Aelin’s messages urging him to save Terrasen; Rowan silently vows not to return without Aelin and refuses to accept that she must be sacrificed.