After ten hard days of travel, Apollo, Maddie, and the children arrive at Brunskar in time for the Drakkar family’s annual gale. During the journey, Maddie has grown closer to Christophe and Élan, learning their interests and enjoying a sense of warmth and family she has rarely known. She also notes that Apollo has carefully protected appearances by taking separate rooms at inns while still spending each night with her, and their renewed intimacy has been paired with late-night conversations about Maddie’s past.

When Maddie first sees Brunskar, she is deeply unsettled by the dark, forbidding castle and the atmosphere around it. She remembers Apollo telling her that intelligence suggests that members of the Drakkar family may be allied with Minerva, Edith, Helda, and Baldur, which explains why Apollo reversed his earlier decision and brought everyone there. Draven confirms Maddie’s instincts, calling most of the Drakkars a “den of vipers,” but reassures her that Apollo’s power should deter open attacks. He also reminds Maddie that this will be her first major gathering among the Houses and that her uncanny resemblance to Ilsa will draw notice, especially from people with little concern for manners.

In her room, Loretta and Meeta admit that Brunskar feels wrong to them as well. Their teasing turns to Apollo and Maddie’s relationship, and both women make clear that they admire Maddie and see why Apollo wants her. After they leave, Maddie looks again at the castle and remains uneasy until Apollo comes to her room.

Apollo confirms Maddie’s fears by bluntly saying that no good comes from Brunskar. After they have sex, he explains more fully that most of the Drakkars are vicious, greedy, and cruel people who enjoy using others as playthings. Because of that, he is seriously considering not taking Maddie to the gale, especially since her resemblance to Ilsa will give them an easy way to target and upset her.

Maddie argues that she can handle cruel people, that she does not want Apollo to face the hostile gathering alone, and that support matters even for someone as strong as he is. Apollo is moved by her desire to stand beside him, and Maddie finally wins him over with a lighter argument: she wants the chance to wear one of her “kickass” gowns. Apollo relents and agrees she can attend the gale. Later, he returns to her bed in the night, needing closeness and reassurance, and the chapter ends with them falling asleep together before the dangerous event ahead.