Aedion, still recovering from imprisonment and injury, walks the roof with Aelin under cover of night. He presses Aelin about their next steps, Rowan Whitethorn, returning to Terrasen, freeing magic, and claiming the Amulet of Orynth from Arobynn. Aedion also worries about money, armies, loyal Terrasen lords, and the timing of travel before winter, while Aelin gives few details and keeps her larger plans guarded.

Aedion brings up the blood oath, making clear that he considers it his right and wants no one else to swear it to Aelin. Aelin reacts tensely, then pulls away. Chaol arrives with urgent news: the king’s Valg soldiers have burned the Shadow Market after hearing rebels used it for supplies, trapping and slaughtering the people inside.

Chaol implies the king chose fire as a message to Aelin, and the conversation turns hostile. Chaol accuses Aelin of risking too much for Aedion while failing to protect Rifthold’s citizens; Aelin counters by reminding Chaol of his past complicity in Adarlan’s cruelties, including Endovier and her first humiliation before Dorian. Aelin leaves after bitterly suggesting the city, or even the world, might burn.

Aedion warns Chaol not to speak to Aelin that way again, but the two continue talking. Chaol asks about Dorian, and Aedion says the possessed prince showed no sign of himself in the dungeon and did not recognize Sorscha’s name. Chaol admits he will not leave Rifthold without Dorian, while Aedion urges him to trust Aelin; Chaol says he no longer can.

After leaving, Chaol lashes out at Nesryn when she asks what happened, telling her their partnership does not entitle her to his private life. Nesryn silently withdraws, and Chaol immediately regrets the cruelty but remains trapped in self-loathing.

Later, Aelin privately acknowledges that lying to Aedion about the blood oath is terrible and that she must eventually tell him the truth. Burdened by guilt over the Shadow Market, Aelin tracks Valg patrols and follows a milder commander into the sewers, hoping to find a nest and prove her commitment to protecting the city. The commander reaches an ancient underground pool, where a terrifying creature rises from the water.