Before dawn at Anielle, Rowan lies awake beside Aelin, troubled that Aelin has not used her fire since her rescue. Rowan knows Aelin could destroy much of Morath’s army with magic, but Aelin has not offered to do so, and Rowan fears what the soldiers’ hope in the Fire-Bringer will become if Aelin fights without flame.

Fenrys joins Rowan in the halls and tells Rowan why Aelin may be avoiding her power: Cairn, under Maeve’s orders, burned Aelin’s hands in heated metal gauntlets and tortured Aelin so severely that healers had to repair the damage. Fenrys also reveals that Rowan’s claiming marks lasted longer than any other scar, disappearing only after Maeve convinced Aelin that Rowan had gone to Terrasen instead of coming for her. Fenrys urges Rowan to stop wondering and let Aelin speak when Aelin is ready.

Rowan, Fenrys, Aelin, and Elide eat quickly, refill waterskins, and descend into the keep in search of armor. They break into a locked armory full of ancient heirlooms, including Asterion-forged weapons and armor. Aelin frames the theft as payment for their work as swords-for-hire, while Rowan and Fenrys gather armor and weapons for themselves, Lorcan, and Gavriel. Aelin remains behind, unreadable, while the others return to the battlements.

As the khaganate army advances, Morath launches an all-out assault on the keep with siege towers, ladders, and troops pressing for the walls and gates. Chaol commands the defenders, Fenrys uses his bow to fell key targets, and Rowan, Lorcan, Gavriel, and Fenrys prepare to hold the point where a siege tower will strike. The mortal soldiers around them begin to waver with fear, and Rowan realizes the cadre must show them that Morath can be beaten.

When the siege tower locks onto the battlements, Aelin emerges from the keep in pale gold armor with a battle-crown and Goldryn in hand. Without using magic, Aelin cuts through Morath’s soldiers and plants herself before the tower’s opening, holding the line with sword and shield. Her arrival transforms the defenders’ fear into a rallying cry, and the men of Anielle surge to support their queen.

From Aelin’s perspective, the display is deliberate: Hasar told Aelin to impress the khaganate royals, and Aelin chooses to show strength, leadership, and resilience without relying on flame. Rowan shields the battlements from arrows with icy wind, Chaol rides into the fight, and Lorcan and Gavriel battle into the siege tower itself. As Morath brings a battering ram below, Aelin embraces the battle as proof that Aelin is not helpless, not contained, and never will be again.