Aelin, drained of magic and held in Maeve’s dark power, realizes she cannot make a final strike. Maeve uses Elide as leverage, threatening to take her if Aelin resists. Lorcan and Manon both plead that Elide is innocent and should be released, but Maeve commands Lorcan and Fenrys through the blood oath to stand down, rendering them unable to act.

Aelin understands that Manon’s task is to get Elide away and accepts Maeve’s terms to spare Elide. Maeve loosens her hold enough for Aelin to send messages: Elide must tell the others Aelin is sorry, remind Lysandra of her promise, assure Aedion that Terrasen must look to him, and tell Rowan that Aelin is sorry for lying, grateful for him, and that he must keep fighting for Terrasen.

Maeve’s escorts bring forward an ancient iron coffin, chains, and an ornate iron mask made to imprison Mala’s heir. To humiliate Aelin, Maeve orders Aelin to kneel, bow, and strip off her shirt. Cairn is ordered to give Aelin ten lashes and Maeve demands that Aelin count them, threatening to redirect the punishment to Elide if Aelin refuses.

Aelin refuses to count despite repeated lashes, forcing Cairn to start over again and again. The punishment becomes brutal, reopening Aelin’s trauma from Endovier and tearing into the tattoo Rowan placed on her back. Aelin finally screams, but still will not give Maeve the count.

When one of Maeve’s males warns that others are approaching, Aelin realizes Rowan is coming and that she needed only a little more time. Maeve stops the whipping and orders Aelin prepared for transport. Manon knocks Elide unconscious to remove her from the scene and carries her inland while Lorcan strains helplessly against Maeve’s command.

Aelin is dragged bleeding toward the iron coffin and mask, knowing Maeve will keep her alive for the Wyrdkeys. Instead of fighting, Aelin clings to gratitude for the time Elena stole for her, for her friends, her life, and Rowan. She dries her tears and does not resist as Maeve straps the iron mask over her face.