In the historian’s cell, Jean-François finishes an illustration of Dior falling into Lilidh’s arms while needling Celene about her failure at Dún Maergenn. Celene rejects both his flattery and criticism, but Jean-François insists that his Empress will have her tale and that Celene remains subject to his control.

Celene shifts the exchange by asking Jean-François what he remembers of dying. She taunts him about Margot, whom he calls Mother, suggesting his making was intimate and shameful. When Celene reaches toward his goblet from across the river, the blood within trembles until the crystal shatters, spraying Jean-François, his page, and the chymical light.

The darkness panics Jean-François. He calls for Capitaine Delphine, who enters with thrallswords and torches. Jean-François realizes the soft sound he feared was only his fallen quill, while Celene remains safely across the river, proving that the fear she inspired was in his mind.

Celene then rebukes Jean-François for mocking the Esana, correcting the histories that called them Faithless. She declares that their faith and cause once terrified both human elders and the kith, and she recites the familiar prophecy before adding a further verse about the Five becoming one, a sainted blade beneath a virgin sun, and sacred blood being required to undo the blackened veil.

Jean-François is visibly shaken by the added words, but Celene refuses to continue. She advises him to speak with Gabriel because the next part of the tale will not make sense without Gabriel’s account. Jean-François leaves in anger with Delphine and the thrallswords, and Celene asks him to give her love to Gabriel.