Celaena watches Archer’s townhouse from a nearby rooftop, despite having told Archer she wants nothing to do with him or his rebel movement. Because Nehemia was connected to these people, Celaena keeps observing instead of turning them over to the king, whom she has bought off temporarily by giving him Councilor Mullison and more time to produce Archer’s supposed corpse.

During the gathering, Celaena notes cloaked visitors entering and leaving Archer’s home. A young, dark-haired man with twin swords and two guards draws her attention; he is the same fighter who stood between Celaena and Chaol at the warehouse. After most guests leave, Celaena glimpses the man arguing with Archer, then storming out while Archer answers his obscene gesture with a cold smile. Celaena wants answers but realizes grief has made it hard to care about anything.

Later, Celaena goes to Dorian’s tower for dinner, unsure why she accepted his invitation. Dorian’s rooms are unexpectedly shabby and crowded with books, and their familiar banter briefly lets Celaena remember what laughter feels like. When Dorian asks why Celaena came, Celaena answers honestly that she has nowhere else to go. Dorian responds with kindness, telling Celaena she will always have a place there.

After dinner, Dorian observes Celaena’s sorrow as Celaena dozes on Dorian’s couch late into the night. Dorian recognizes that Celaena is avoiding solitude and the rooms that remind Celaena of Nehemia, and Dorian thinks about the deeper scars left by Nehemia’s death and Celaena’s separation from Chaol. Dorian feels ashamed to admit that part of him is glad Celaena has cut Chaol off.

The following afternoon, Celaena searches the tomb again and tells Mort there must be another clue connecting the riddle, the rebel movement, Nehemia, and Elena. Mort says a seer or oracle might help, though magic’s disappearance likely destroyed such gifts. Celaena realizes that if Mort survived as an ancient magical presence, other ancient beings might still retain their powers, and Mort warns that whatever idea Celaena has is probably dangerous.