In Vasterhague, Maddie realizes Apollo has brought additional trunks for her and learns more about his wealth, properties, and status. At the inn, he explains that the new clothes are wardrobes suited to Lunwyn, Bellebryn, and the Vale, then tells her he is taking her to The Boar, an elegant restaurant where she must dress for dinner. Alone, Maddie treats the evening as their first real date, chooses a striking purple dress, and is rattled when Apollo returns looking equally formal and admits that if he stays in the room, they will never leave it.

Apollo takes Maddie to The Boar on horseback, holding her close the whole way, which deepens her excitement and anxiety. Once seated with champagne, they begin talking, and Apollo explains that his horse Torment and sleigh guide Anguish were twin foals born when Ilsa died. He says they cannot pretend past relationships never existed, because Ilsa and Pol will remain part of their histories, and he offers to listen whenever Maddie wants to speak about her own pain.

Apollo then turns to Valentine Rousseau. He says the witch may mean well, but her actions are troubling, because she gave Maddie adela tea without warning her of its effects, which Apollo compares to a serious violation of consent after Maddie explains the idea of date rape drugs from her world. He asks Maddie to tell him if Valentine visits again and to accept food, drink, or gifts only when she knows they came from him. Before the meal arrives, Apollo also raises the practical consequence of their night together: because they had repeated unprotected sex, he wants to get Maddie pennyrium and use a sheath immediately to avoid pregnancy, and Maddie urgently agrees.

Their dinner is interrupted when Danforth greets Apollo and reacts sharply to hearing Maddie introduced as "Lady Ulfr." After Danforth leaves, Maddie refuses to let Apollo hide what happened, partly because his secrecy reminds her of Pol. Apollo chooses honesty and explains a Lunwyn custom: when a nobleman and woman have an understood intention to marry, she may already be addressed by his House name before the wedding. In other words, Apollo has effectively told people that Maddie is his intended wife.

Maddie is stunned and objects that everything is moving too fast, especially after only one night together. Apollo counters that because he brought her to this world, he will not leave her struggling in poverty or fear, and he does not care what life or work she chooses so long as she is safe, comfortable, and happy with him. His promise that fear will no longer rule her life turns his declaration into a real proposal in Maddie's eyes. She asks for time to think, Apollo grants it while clearly expecting acceptance, and the chapter ends with warmer intimacy restored because he proved he would tell her difficult truths instead of keeping them from her.