Aelin and the khagan’s army continue north through Oakwald, but their pace is too slow for Aelin’s fears about Orynth. To avoid Morath-held Perranth and approach under forest cover, Aelin burns a path through the ancient trees while worrying that Maeve and Erawan may already be moving against Terrasen.

That night, Rowan finishes tattooing Aelin’s back with a new design: hawk’s wings and the story of their bond. As Endovier draws near, Aelin admits she once wanted to destroy the mines but now only wants to pass without facing them. Rowan offers either destruction or support, and Aelin takes comfort in having Rowan beside her as she confronts that part of her past.

In another tent, Elide returns exhausted from helping Yrene and lets Lorcan rub salve into her injured ankle. Their conversation turns to Vernon, Perranth, and whether Elide’s punishment of Vernon made Elide like him. Lorcan says Vernon deserved it and promises Perranth can be rebuilt, offering not only to help restore Elide’s city but to build a life with Elide if they survive.

Elide and Lorcan’s tenderness becomes open desire, and Elide chooses to trust Lorcan with her uncertainty and vulnerability. Lorcan follows Elide’s lead, repeatedly seeking consent and letting Elide decide how far to go, and their relationship becomes physically intimate.

Aelin then suffers a nightmare of the Wyrdgate, a coffin, Cairn’s voice, and twelve cold presences accusing Aelin of being a liar, traitor, and coward. The dream forces Aelin to relive guilt over Dorian entering the gate in Aelin’s place and terror from Maeve’s coffin, leaving Aelin awake and unable to sleep.

The next day, Endovier’s presence weighs on Aelin as the army nears the crossroads to the salt mines. Elide rides beside Aelin, and the two women quietly acknowledge their shared experiences of captivity and survival. A warning cry announces a wyvern overhead, but Rowan realizes the rider’s magic and orders everyone to hold fire; Dorian lands at the crossroads, grave and worn, carrying all three Wyrdkeys.