The next day, Helena tries to go outside, but the beauty of spring feels like a betrayal of her grief and captivity, so Helena retreats indoors. Stroud visits to check Helena after Ferron's assault, examines Helena invasively, and confirms Helena is in a fertile window. Stroud then explains her past in the Alchemy Tower and her devotion to Artemon Bennet, framing vivimancy as the power that made Stroud valuable after years of being underestimated.

Stroud forces Helena to swallow half of one of Ferron's tablets and uses vivimancy to paralyse Helena and heighten Helena's physical sensitivity. Stroud says the drug will make the experience better and leaves Helena arranged on the bed for Ferron. When Ferron arrives, Ferron initially fails to see anything wrong, but then notices Helena's distress, touches Helena, and releases the paralysis. Helena asks whether Ferron can change the drug's effects, but Ferron says it must wear off on its own.

Because Ferron must leave until late the next day and Stroud's orders make pregnancy urgent, Helena decides to endure the assault immediately rather than risk being sent to Central or given to someone worse. The drug makes Helena's body respond against Helena's will, deepening Helena's horror and self-loathing. Ferron completes the act, then leaves abruptly, looking ill, and Helena collapses into sobbing and vomiting. Helena reflects on the strict purity expectations that shaped Helena's life and concludes that shame has replaced any hope Helena once had of being loved.

After the drug wears off, Helena tries to distract herself by analysing the political situation. Helena reasons that Ferron may have deliberately exposed himself as High Reeve to make himself indispensable, possibly positioning himself against Morrough while neighbouring powers circle weakened Paladia. Yet Helena cannot determine why Ferron protects Helena or why Ferron once seemed to consider killing Helena when Helena asked.

Ferron returns after nightfall, takes another tablet, and assaults Helena again without speaking. Over five days, the forced breeding attempts continue, and when the door finally stays shut, Helena is left terrified both that she might be pregnant and that she might not be.

During Lumithia's full Ascendance, dinner fails to appear for the first time, the necrothralls are still, and Helena explores the house under overwhelming silver light. Every exterior door is sealed, making Helena fear Ferron is dead and that Helena will be trapped until Stroud comes. Searching for proof, Helena enters Ferron's room and finds Ferron alive, drunk on alcohol and Ascendance. Ferron calls Helena by name for the first time, approaches with despair and hunger, grips Helena's throat, says Helena has caused Ferron pain, and kisses Helena.