Aelin, Chaol, Aedion, Nesryn, and Lysandra struggle back through Oakwald with Rowan badly wounded by the witch arrow. Nesryn has removed the arrow and Aedion has packed the wound with bloodmoss, but Rowan weakens with every step. Aelin is terrified and furious, recognizing that she has nowhere safe in Rifthold to take an injured Fae warrior.

When Lysandra says Rowan needs rest, Chaol suggests Nesryn’s father’s country house, where the housekeeper’s wife is a midwife. Aelin warns Chaol and Nesryn that she will kill anyone who betrays them, and they accept the risk. The group reaches the farmhouse at dusk, where Fleetfoot joyfully greets Aelin before the midwife, Marta, examines Rowan and says the bloodmoss likely saved his life.

Marta spends hours cleaning and patching Rowan’s wound while Aelin watches every movement from beside his cot. Chaol, seeing Aelin covered in blood, bruises, dirt, and Manon’s blue blood, realizes how battered she is as well. Marta finally orders Aelin to wash because her filth could infect Rowan’s wounds, and Aelin leaves only after Aedion silently promises to watch over him.

Chaol follows Aelin outside and apologizes for trying to kill Dorian on his own, admitting Aelin had been right about needing another way. Aelin, shaken by having saved Manon after the witch nearly caused Rowan’s death, asks whether Chaol truly would have killed Dorian; Chaol says yes. Aelin then decides they will free magic first and afterward go together to end Dorian’s suffering if necessary.

Chaol realizes Aelin understands his choice because she would do the same for Rowan if Rowan wore the collar. This recognition forces Chaol to reconsider his earlier judgment of Aelin as a monster. Before dawn, Rowan has healed enough to walk with support, and the group slips away from the country house, leaving Fleetfoot behind as they return toward Rifthold one last time.