Elm and Ione return to Stone in a storm, both soaked and exhausted after the highwaymen attack. Ione is nearly frozen, barefoot, and still wearing her bloodstained dress, so Elm lifts her from the horse and hurries her inside rather than taking her directly to the dungeon.

On the stairs, Elm is intercepted by Royce Linden, Hauth’s Destrier friend, whose scars from Elspeth’s attack are still healing. Linden recognizes Ione as Elspeth’s kin and expects her imprisonment, but Elm blocks Linden’s view of Ione and evasively promises she will be dealt with later.

Elm takes Ione to his private chamber in the royal wing, barricades the door, and tries to warm her by the fire with wine. Their hostility softens into wary intimacy as Elm cuts Ione out of her ruined Equinox dress, gives her clothes from his chest, and reveals he is unlike Hauth in his treatment of her.

Ione remarks on the absence of women’s garments in Elm’s room, comparing him to Hauth, and Elm insists that keeping her intact is necessary to fulfill their bargain. As the exchange continues, Ravyn reaches Elm through the Nightmare Card’s saltwater-like mental connection and asks where Elm is.

Before Elm can prepare or explain Ione’s presence, heavy footsteps approach. Ravyn enters Elm’s chamber and immediately sees Ione in Elm’s clothing beside her discarded bloody dress, surprised to find her there.