At the base of the stairs, Jesper prepares to face Colm, certain Wylan’s cover story has fallen apart. Inej intercepts Jesper, and Jesper starts to apologize for revealing enough to Pekka Rollins that Rollins could anticipate the Ice Court job. Inej refuses a simple apology and explains that among the Suli, true wrongdoing requires a promise to make amends and not repeat the harm.

Inej names Jesper’s gambling as a wound he keeps treating with poison. Jesper cannot promise an immediate cure, but Inej urges Jesper to recognize the pain as real and tells Jesper to tell Colm the truth while Jesper still has the chance. Inej admits she does not know whether she could tell her own parents everything, but says she would give anything to have that choice.

Jesper finds Colm in the sitting room and confesses that there was no swindle, only Jesper’s own gambling, debts, fights, and crimes. Colm is hurt and exhausted, and when Jesper asks why Colm never sent Jesper to Ravka, Jesper remembers a childhood visit from a man who wanted to take Jesper and Leoni away for Grisha training. Colm had denied Jesper’s gift, threatened the man, and told Jesper never to speak of being Grisha because Colm believed that power had killed Jesper’s mother.

The old hurt resurfaces as Jesper realizes Colm’s protection also taught Jesper to lie and suppress part of himself. Jesper promises to make amends but argues that Colm should have let Jesper use his gift. Colm calls the gift a curse, and Jesper leaves after telling Colm he is dying anyway, only slowly.

Restless and tempted to gamble, Jesper wanders the house and finds someone he thinks is Wylan at a piano. Seeking escape and comfort, Jesper kisses him, but the kiss feels wrong. The real Wylan appears in the doorway and summons Jesper to the sitting room, revealing that Jesper has actually kissed Kuwei, who had deliberately failed to correct the mistake.

Jesper is mortified, realizing his agitation made him confuse Kuwei for Wylan and fearing he has ruined whatever was growing between himself and Wylan. Kuwei is pleased with himself and jokes that Kaz now thinks Kuwei is worth a great deal, leaving Jesper furious and aware that Kuwei fits disturbingly well among the crew.