After Kingfisher and Carrion leave through the silver for Zilvaren, Saeris struggles with fear for Kingfisher and guilt over not going with them. Kingfisher leaves a warded shadow gate at Cahlish so the others can travel safely between the estate and the Darn, while Saeris returns to Ammontraíeth because Madra may still be able to send more infected feeders and because Saeris cannot abandon the Blood Court throne.

In the palace training room, Lorreth spars with Saeris and pushes her hard with Solace. Saeris worries that Lorreth is only staying because Kingfisher made him promise to protect her, and Lorreth avoids confirming it. Lorreth reminds Saeris that the Blood Court would seize on her absence as dereliction and that other allies are already handling urgent tasks: Ren is warning settlements, Danya is directing defenses, Te Léna and Maynir are helping the wounded, and Iseabail is seeking knowledge about sealing Alchemical runes.

Lorreth offers to tell Saeris the full story of Ajun Gate if Saeris keeps training, then reveals that Ren had a twin sister, Merelle, who died horribly on the mountain and whose spirit remains partly bound to Fisher’s sword. Instead of continuing to fight, Lorreth decides the story requires drinking and sneaks Saeris out of the palace under a hood. As they pass through the Cogs, Saeris sees both the cruelty and beauty of Sanasroth: chained feeders, public violence, suffering children, strange creatures, night-blooming flowers, stained glass, and elegant high bloods.

Lorreth explains that many Fae in Ammontraíeth are not there willingly but are thralls used as food. He leads Saeris into the Fool’s Paradise, a tavern full of Fae mingling with high bloods, some feeding from them and others engaged in sexual encounters. The bartender, Errigan, remembers Lorreth from six centuries earlier and refuses service until Lorreth pays an old debt for wine and a broken table. Lorreth calls Saeris his sister, draws Avisiéth, and refuses to pay in blood.

When two high bloods try to force Lorreth out, Lorreth violently tears off Anterrin’s hand and shoves it down Anterrin’s throat. Taladaius arrives with a cloaked stranger, sends the stranger away under a soundproof shield, and takes control of the chaos. Taladaius reveals the tavern belongs to him, settles Anterrin’s compensation, forgives Lorreth’s inflated old debt, orders Errigan to serve wine on the house, and then takes Saeris aside because he needs to speak with her.