In Maius 1789, Helena’s mind begins to settle enough for her to recognize patterns in her fractured memories. She remembers tricking Kaine and understands why he has been paranoid and controlling since she woke. Although gaps still distort her thinking, Helena becomes certain Kaine is managing her and withholding the full truth.

Kaine finds Helena in the hall and offers to take her to the main wing, warning her where Morrough may be able to watch. Helena notices how unnaturally precise and stripped-down Kaine has become and realizes the array has consumed much of him. He opens a library for her, explaining that Aurelia is gone, but Helena cannot enter because the dark, cavernous room triggers her fear and because she is struggling to acknowledge the baby. Kaine closes the doors, accepts her refusal, and leaves after Helena tells him to be careful and not die.

That night, Kaine returns and asks what books Helena wants, but Helena confronts him instead. She argues that his plan to send her away makes no political sense unless he intends to die afterward, because Morrough will either recognize Kaine’s betrayal or blame Kaine for Helena’s escape. Helena reasons that the High Reeve is the regime’s stabilizing force and that Kaine’s death would weaken Morrough enough for other powers to attack.

Kaine’s façade breaks. He admits through exhaustion and rage that Helena has seen through him, and the conversation turns raw as Kaine recounts failing to find Helena, keeping her prisoner, the transference, and raping her. Kaine insists his death is the best remaining way to end the war and keep Helena from sinking with him, while Helena rejects the plan and panics when she admits she lied about never choosing him over everyone else.

Kaine helps Helena breathe through the panic, and the contact brings back the memory of how they once were together. Helena begs him to run away with her, but Kaine explains Morrough has control over his phylactery, so Kaine cannot leave and Shiseo must be the one to take Helena south. Helena argues that they should work together now, as they once might have done, and asks for time to research another solution.

Kaine agrees only if Helena stops researching if her health worsens and promises to leave with Shiseo when the time comes, without manipulation or resistance. Helena accepts with one condition of her own: Kaine must stop lying to her, because she cannot endure questioning every word he says.