Diem and Henri ride along the Ring Road after leaving town, with Diem silent and visibly angry. Henri gently presses Diem to talk, guessing whether Diem is troubled by leaving the healing center, Teller, or Auralie. Diem denies most of it, but cannot admit the truth: Maura's revelations about Auralie's lifelong bargain with the Crown have left Diem furious, frightened, and unsure whether Auralie is dead, enslaved, hiding, or has left Diem to inherit the consequences.

Henri reassures Diem that he believes Auralie is alive and safe, saying he has prayed to the forbidden Old Gods. Diem warns Henri to be careful, and the tension eases as the two joke about past acts of rebellion, including defacing a statue of Lumnos. Their warmth fades when Henri mentions rumors that Diem resurrected Princess Lilian at the palace, forcing Diem to downplay what happened and admit she may take over Auralie's palace duties.

Instead of objecting, Henri approves of Diem entering the palace. Henri argues that the Descended are dangerous and ruthless, especially under laws that kill half-mortal children, but says Diem can only beat an enemy by knowing that enemy intimately. Diem is unsettled by Henri's colder, strategic tone, and Henri says Auralie taught him that lesson before he abruptly leads their horses into the forest to make camp.

Later, alone by the campfire while Henri gathers wood, Diem's anger intensifies. Diem resents her father for treating Auralie's disappearance lightly, Auralie for accepting the bargain, herself for missing the truth, and especially Prince Luther for brokering a lifetime of Crown service in exchange for schooling. Diem's thoughts broaden into hatred of the Descended, whom Diem sees as conquerors who stole mortal lands, institutions, and freedoms, and Diem privately longs for another life beyond healing and village safety.

When Henri returns, the two turn to physical intimacy, rekindling a relationship that began months earlier but had paused after Auralie's disappearance. Diem reflects that Henri once offered uncomplicated comfort, but grief and anger have changed them both. Though Henri remains gentle and protective, Diem feels restless, conflicted, and haunted by memories of Prince Luther, and Diem seeks control and heat rather than softness.

After Diem insists Henri take a contraceptive tonic, they sleep together. The encounter satisfies them physically, but Diem's inner turmoil remains unresolved. While Henri falls asleep holding Diem, Diem lies awake beneath the night sky, still burning with anger and fear, wondering how long the fire inside will consume her.