At the Evenlight Ball in the transformed Hall of Tears, Kingfisher sits beside Saeris as she presides over the Blood Court. The high bloods drink wine mixed with Fae blood, and Saeris privately tells Kingfisher that the scent of so much blood unsettles her. Tal arrives and announces that before the petitions for the vacant Lord of Midnight position, he wants to address his bond with Saeris.

Tal publicly rescinds the gift of his blood, severing his maker’s lineage from Saeris. The ritual sends a sulfurous shock through the hall and forces Saeris to vomit Tal’s blood into a bucket, but Tal then reframes the humiliation as a declaration of independence, naming Saeris “Scion of no one” and leading the court in a toast to her. Kingfisher recognizes that the act both frees and shames Saeris, and he becomes suspicious of Tal’s motives.

Before the petitions, Saeris secretly sends a nervous low blood on an errand, telling Kingfisher only that she cannot explain yet, which suggests the move is connected to Edina’s journal. The first petitioner, Kavan Dahlish, seeks to become Keeper of Warfare. Kingfisher recognizes Kavan as one of his fallen warriors and realizes Malcolm must have turned many of Kingfisher’s dead soldiers into high bloods, twisting their training against the Fae and leaving Kavan full of cold resentment.

The next petitioner, Ibanwae, a former Alchemist marked with dead runes, asks to become Keeper of Pain and openly praises domination, feeding farms, and cruelty toward the Fae. Saeris challenges the Blood Court’s old purpose, rejects breeding and feeding farms, and declares that Sanasroth must rebuild around safety, security, legitimacy, and food. When Zovena interrupts to demand who the court will eat, Saeris bends an evenlight candelabra into a metal restraint and pins Zovena to the floor by the neck.

Saeris uses Zovena as a public example while she hears the remaining petitions for Keeper of Monies, Keeper of Truths, and Keeper of Antiquities. After releasing Zovena, Saeris warns her that Saeris is Zovena’s master and that patience should not be mistaken for weakness. As Tal prepares to reveal the chosen Lord with Ereth’s ring, Saeris interrupts and announces one final petition.

The court erupts when Foley Briarstone steps forward in fighting leathers and kneels before Saeris. Foley declares that he has come to serve his queen, though his expression suggests doubt about Saeris’s plan. Kingfisher understands that Saeris has introduced a secret sixth candidate, likely tied to the journal’s instructions.