After three days of fighting in freezing wind and snow, Aedion’s army has been driven north mile by mile. Galan Ashryver urges retreat, warning that the soldiers cannot survive another full night, while Aedion weighs the danger that Morath might chase them all the way to Orynth.

Aedion recognizes that the army is buckling: soldiers question why Aelin and her fire are absent, Lysandra cannot safely fight as Aelin, the Fae royals’ magic is weakening, and Ansel’s promised reinforcements have not arrived. Aedion decides their only viable chance is to retreat toward Perranth, cross the frozen Lanis River, and have the Fae unfreeze it beneath Morath’s forces. Galan takes the order to begin the retreat while Endymion and Sellene are to shield the army’s backs.

The organized march collapses into a desperate flight north. Lysandra, in horse form, carries a grievously wounded soldier who dies and freezes to her back, while exhausted soldiers around her fall, grumble, and ask where their queen’s fire has gone. Silent Assassins eventually help melt and wash away the blood that binds the dead man to Lysandra.

On the second night, Lysandra finds Aedion’s command tent, where Aedion stands with Galan, Ansel, and Ren. Too exhausted to remain in animal form, Lysandra shifts back into her human body and collapses. Ansel covers Lysandra with a cloak, Ren leaves to find food, and Aedion dismisses the others because the army will move before dawn.

Alone with Lysandra, Aedion vents his fear and despair by attacking the deception that left Lysandra pretending to be Aelin without Aelin’s fire. Lysandra says Aedion cannot blame the retreat on her, but Aedion accuses Lysandra and Aelin of ruining their chances by hiding the plan and leaving Terrasen without the Fire-Bringer. Aedion orders Lysandra out into the snow, barefoot and barely clothed.

When Ren returns with food and asks where Lysandra is, Aedion says nothing. Aedion knows his accusations were unfair and that he used Lysandra as an outlet for his failure and exhaustion, but Aedion feels too numb to feel shame. Instead of summoning commanders or planning the next phase, Aedion stares into the fire through the night, convinced he has failed Terrasen.