In Anielle’s stables, Chaol tends Farasha after the mare’s frightening aerial transport and tries to steady both the horse and himself before the next day’s battle. Yrene urges Chaol to rest, but Chaol chooses to calm Farasha personally while reflecting on the war, Dorian’s mission with Manon, and his fear that Dorian might try to forge the Lock.

Chaol reveals that he knows Yrene is pregnant, having learned it through his father’s observation. Yrene confirms she is nearly two months along, and Chaol responds with joy rather than anger, understanding why Yrene delayed telling him. Their happiness briefly eclipses the pain, danger, and war around them as Chaol imagines surviving quickly enough to build a home for their family.

Chaol and Yrene then intercept the Lord of Anielle on his way to confront Aelin. The meeting goes badly for Chaol’s father: Aelin refuses to be baited, mocks his authority, reminds him that Chaol outranks him as Hand to the King, and warns him not to interfere. Rowan tempers the confrontation by acknowledging the lord’s defense of Anielle, but after the lord insults him, Aelin dismisses the man and congratulates Chaol and Yrene before slamming the door in the lord’s face.

Inside the small room set aside for Aelin’s court, Aelin, Rowan, Elide, Fenrys, and later Gavriel eat and discuss the army below. Rowan and Gavriel note that the soldiers are exhausted and afraid after days of defense, and Rowan worries that fear could make them sloppy in the coming battle despite the soundness of their plan with the khagan’s forces. Aelin also reflects on the lack of comfort in Anielle and on the looming brutality of the land battle.

Elide’s question about who would rule Doranelle if Maeve were exposed and banished leads to a major revelation: because Maeve is an imposter and the throne should pass through Mab’s female line, Aelin has the strongest direct claim to part of the Fae throne. Rowan and Gavriel reason that Sellene would inherit through Mora’s line, while Aelin would become the Faerie Queen of the West. Aelin tries to deflect the weight of the title, but the possibility suggests a future homeland for surviving Fae even as everyone recognizes Aelin may not live to claim it.

That night, Aelin dreams of a black gate, Wyrdstone coffins, suffocation, and another trapped princess screaming beside her, making the gods’ demanded sacrifice feel like another imprisonment. Aelin wakes shaken beside Rowan, aware of the gods’ watchful expectation and haunted by Elena’s cries. Rather than surrender to helplessness, Aelin silently resolves not to be trapped again.