Dorian and Rowan sail south through the night in a stolen skiff, leaving the smoke and destruction of Rifthold behind them. Rowan uses his magic to drive the boat toward the Dead Islands while Dorian sits silent, weakened by the poisoned barb and the effort of keeping himself alive.

Rowan urges Dorian to eat, explaining that magic feeds on the wielder’s strength and can consume an untrained person. Dorian admits Aelin had little time to teach him and confesses that his power failed to save Sorscha, making him see it as something meant only to destroy.

Rowan responds by revealing that he, too, was absent when his mate was murdered. He warns Dorian that grief will make Dorian hate the world, himself, his magic, and even happiness, but unlike Rowan, Dorian does not have the luxury of withdrawing because a broken kingdom depends on him.

Dorian fears that fleeing has handed Adarlan to Erawan. Rowan reframes the escape as a choice Dorian must define for his people: either abandonment or a mission to find help. Rowan explains that Skull’s Bay and the Pirate Lord, Rolfe, may offer a path forward, since Rolfe’s history with Erawan’s forces could make him receptive to an alliance or privateering arrangement.

Dorian thinks of Chaol and is relieved Chaol is away in Antica with Nesryn, then asks Rowan to teach him about magic. Rowan agrees to teach Dorian control before they reach Skull’s Bay, though Rowan says Dorian’s rare power may eventually require a more suitable instructor. When Dorian asks about Aelin, Rowan describes how he and Aelin once saved each other from darkness, assuring Dorian that Dorian can also find a way out.