Diem and Henri reach the border of Fortos after traveling from Lumnos. Diem reflects on how sharply the land changes between realms and remembers Teller's story about terremère, the native soil that can awaken a Descended's restrained magic. Henri is relaxed after the previous night, while Diem admits to herself that she still needs time to understand who she is and what their relationship has become.

As they cross the Lumnos-Fortos border, Diem is struck by a sudden current of pain that Henri does not feel. Diem assumes Fortos has placed magical wards on the border, but the fact that only Diem reacts unsettles both of them. Henri explains Fortos magic: female Descended usually heal, male Descended can kill by decay, and the Crown passes to the most powerful Descended, which helps explain why Fortos has never had a Queen.

In the Fortos capital, Diem visits Leona's military supply warehouse to collect medicinal ingredients for the mortal healing center. Leona, who respected Auralie, refuses payment and shares rumors that King Ulther of Lumnos may soon die. Leona also says the King of Fortos is preparing to send soldiers into Lumnos if the succession turns violent, raising Diem's fear that mortal healers could be blamed or controlled during the transition.

Diem carefully asks whether Leona knows anything about Auralie's disappearance, possible travels, or work for powerful Descended. Leona first offers sympathy, then shuts the conversation down with unusual force, warning that asking questions about army work could end badly for both Diem and Auralie. The warning makes Diem feel more isolated from the truth about her mother.

Before leaving, Diem spots flameroot locked in a warded cage and realizes it matches the medicine Auralie gave her for years to stop visions, unexplained sensations, and fears that Diem might have magic. When Diem asks for it, Leona panics and reveals that flameroot requires permission from all nine Crowns, that only the King of Fortos can open the cage, and that merely knowing about the powder can justify execution. Diem lies that she mistook it for beetbark and flees, shaken by the implication that Auralie possessed a forbidden substance and hid a dangerous secret about Diem.