Aelin absorbs Darrow’s signed decree barring her from Terrasen’s throne and realizes the lords judged her before meeting her. Aedion argues that the Bane answers only to Aelin and that her power may be Terrasen’s best defense against the Valg, but Darrow insists the lords control the armies without a recognized ruler and warns Aelin not to enter Orynth.

Darrow says Terrasen needs allies and suggests Aelin make herself useful through marriage, forcing Aelin to confront the possibility that her royal blood may demand a political sacrifice. Aelin extinguishes the room’s fire and lights to show what defeat would mean, but Darrow answers that men can make their own light and restates the legality of the lords’ decision. When Darrow insults Nehemia, Rowan quietly threatens to kill him, ending the confrontation.

A messenger arrives with urgent news: the Ironteeth host has left the Ferian Gap and is flying toward Rifthold to sack the city and seize or kill Dorian. Outside in the rain, Aelin, Aedion, and Rowan recognize that Rifthold cannot be saved in time, but Dorian must be. Because only Rowan can reach the city swiftly on the wind, Aelin sends him south, despite the danger and the poison vials Aedion gives Rowan in case capture becomes unavoidable.

Aelin decides not to go to Orynth and instead changes strategy. She orders Aedion to have Ren prepare the Bane to press from the North, while Rowan must rescue Dorian and take him by sea to Skull’s Bay. Aelin plans to follow with Aedion and Lysandra, using Murtaugh’s letter of recommendation to seek Captain Rolfe’s fleet and other southern allies who might help break Morath’s control.

Before leaving, Aelin helps Lysandra send Evangeline and Fleetfoot with Murtaugh for safety and courtly training. Aelin makes a blood promise that if Evangeline is harmed, those responsible will burn, and Murtaugh vows to protect her, revealing he lost his granddaughters. Aelin refuses to kill Darrow because his death would likely strengthen the lords’ legal position, then makes another blood promise: when Terrasen calls, Aelin will come, even though Darrow has rejected her.

As the group prepares to ride, Aelin privately examines a rain-damaged message left by the Little Folk: a model of Brannon’s coastal temple with a white stag at its center. Aelin understands it as a directive to seek something there, a truth she has not fully shared with the others. Before departing, Aelin glimpses the glowing Lord of the North watching from the forest, seeming to bid her farewell.