Dorian sits trapped inside his own body at a royal gathering, forced by the Valg demon to sit on a dais beside the queen and the king. The nobles in the ballroom do not realize Dorian is still conscious and screaming internally, while the demon pushes further through the weakening barrier between them and looks at the world with hunger.

Outside the glass castle, Aelin enters the palace plan in disguise as one of Madam Florine’s dancers. With dyed hair, heavy cosmetics, and a novice’s nervous manner, Aelin blends into the troupe while watching the guards and wondering whether Arobynn has betrayed her.

Aelin and Florine quietly confirm their arrangement as the dancers wait at the side entrance. Their conversation reveals Florine’s grief over the king’s destruction of the Royal Theater and the death of Pytor, as well as Florine’s past kindness to Aelin after Aelin left Arobynn’s control. Florine has prepared escape plans for herself and any dancers willing to flee once chaos begins.

As the guards check the performers against detailed rosters, Aelin relies on Ress having added her false identity to the list. Near the threshold, Aelin spots Wyrdmarks painted over the stones and on the windows, likely meant to detect or trap Aelin Galathynius if she crosses into the castle.

To ruin the marks without exposing herself, Aelin stages a loud fit after another dancer elbows her. Florine plays along, demanding water from a guard allied with Chaol’s network. Aelin is brought forward as Florine’s useless understudy, Dianna, and the guard confirms her false name on the roster.

Aelin then pretends to trip, spilling the bucket of water across the Wyrdmarks. Florine shoves Aelin over the ruined threshold, successfully getting Aelin inside the glass castle.