Chaol experiences a terrifying night after Celaena collapses in his office covered in blood. In panic, Chaol cuts open Celaena’s dress to find the wounds, only to discover that most of the blood is not hers; the real danger is a small cut on Celaena’s forearm and the gloriella poison Celaena managed to name before losing control of her body.

Once Chaol understands the threat, Chaol acts methodically. Chaol secretly summons Ress, orders Ress to stay silent and find healers, wraps Celaena in his cloak, and carries Celaena to her rooms. The healers force a strong antidote down Celaena’s throat because the dose of poison is unknown, and Chaol stays with Celaena through hours of violent sickness.

After Celaena finally sleeps, Chaol keeps watch and sends Ress and trusted guards into the city for answers. When Ress reports that Davis was found murdered by his own poisoned dagger, Chaol pieces together that Davis caught Celaena spying and poisoned Celaena. Chaol privately feels glad Davis is dead, believing Chaol would have killed Davis himself otherwise.

At dawn, Celaena wakes in her own bed, weak but able to move. Celaena finds Chaol asleep beside her and realizes she had instinctively fled to the place where Celaena felt safest. Chaol wakes immediately, questions Celaena about whether Davis attacked Celaena after discovering her in his office, and Celaena confirms it.

Chaol refuses to report the incident to the king because doing so would expose Celaena’s failed spying and create more trouble. Instead, Chaol warns Celaena that if Celaena ever frightens him like this again, Chaol will throw Celaena in the dungeons. Their argument reveals both Chaol’s anger over the risk Celaena took and Chaol’s deep fear for Celaena’s life.