Nina, Rotty, Kaz, Inej, Kuwei, Genya, Zoya, and Sturmhond gather in the bottleboat beneath Zentsbridge after the auction deception. Nina discards her false pregnancy disguise, while Genya tries to reverse the poison that made Kuwei appear dead. Kuwei has no detectable pulse, making the ruse successful but dangerously close to becoming real.

Because Genya’s antidote does not revive Kuwei, Zoya attempts a risky use of lightning to restart his heart. The first shock fails, but the second makes Kuwei gasp awake. Nina and Inej calm him, explaining that the auction is over, the Shu and other witnesses believe he died, and the tailored corpse will complete the illusion.

Zoya, Genya, and Sturmhond prepare to leave for the manufacturing district. Genya urges Nina to come with them, but Nina refuses because the job is not finished and Kuwei is too weak to move. Sturmhond and Zoya remind Nina that Ravka still needs her, even though Nina believes parem has changed what she is.

Kaz leaves for the Church of Barter to see what the Council will do with Wylan, while Nina waits for Matthias. When Matthias finally appears, Nina runs to him, and they share a rare moment of tenderness. Then Matthias collapses, revealing that he has been shot in the stomach and has only forced himself onward so he can see Nina again.

Nina begs Inej to find Kaz or Kuwei so she can use parem to save Matthias, but Matthias refuses to let Nina risk herself. Instead, Matthias asks Nina to help other drüskelle learn mercy and believe there is a Fjerda worth saving. Matthias asks Nina to bury him so he can return to Djel, tells her that Nina is already his home, and dies in her arms.

Overwhelmed by grief, Nina reaches into her altered power and briefly draws Matthias back, but his black eyes reveal that this is not true life. Inej urges Nina to let Matthias go to his god. Nina accepts that keeping him would be wrong, releases him, and says farewell in Fjerdan, promising that Djel will watch over him until they meet again.