Dorian sits through a tense council meeting until Celaena enters carrying Grave’s severed head. She places the head before Minister Mullison, produces Nehemia’s lotus bracelet as evidence, and accuses Mullison of hiring Grave to murder Nehemia after public conflicts with the princess.

Chaol tries to restrain Celaena, but Celaena coldly says she is doing Chaol’s job. Celaena then gives the king a list of the rebel men from the warehouse, falsely presenting their deaths as proof that Celaena has eliminated traitors to the crown. The king praises Celaena, rewards Celaena with double pay, and orders Chaol to take Mullison to the dungeons.

Celaena next goes to Archer’s townhouse and confronts Archer in his sickroom. Archer explains that Archer and the rebels kidnapped Chaol because Archer believed Chaol and the king were endangering Nehemia, and Archer wanted Celaena to see Chaol as an enemy. Archer also confirms that Nehemia worked with the rebels to organize resistance and discover the king’s source of power beyond magic.

Archer urges Celaena, who Archer knows is from Terrasen, to become the rebels’ eyes and ears in the castle. Celaena refuses because Archer lied to Celaena and kidnapped Chaol, though Celaena says the list Celaena gave the king should protect Archer briefly. Celaena gives Archer five days to prepare to leave Rifthold and threatens to kill Archer if Archer is not ready when Celaena returns to fake Archer’s death.

Meanwhile, Chaol meets his estranged father, the Lord of Anielle, for breakfast after ten years apart. Chaol’s father needles Chaol about abandoning his title, failing to protect Nehemia, Celaena’s hatred, and the political risk that Eyllwe and the wild men of the Fangs may rebel. Chaol refuses to return to Anielle, declares that his life is in Rifthold, warns his father not to approach Celaena, and leaves suspecting that Chaol has walked into a trap.