Three days after returning to Karsvall, Maddie settles into a calmer routine at the dower house. Apollo brings her two ladies maids, Loretta and Meeta, which leaves Maddie with little practical work but gives her female companionship again. Through afternoons of conversation, Maddie learns more about Lunwyn’s open sexual culture, Loretta’s painful crush on Hans after sleeping with him, and Meeta’s striking past as an escaped slave from Maroo who fled Keenhak on a pirate ship. The warmth of the house, the friendship of the women, and Apollo’s steady, unpressuring care make Maddie feel more at home and increasingly aware that she is falling deeply for him.

When Apollo finally comes to bed late, Maddie decides they need to talk before they have sex. She raises her discomfort about Apollo’s soldiers sleeping with servants and leaving hurt feelings behind, especially Loretta’s. Apollo laughs gently but explains that in his world casual sexual relationships are normal and Loretta would understand the risks. Maddie then asks whether Apollo himself has taken servants to bed; he says he has not, though he admits he has repeatedly slept with Celise, a famed Fleuridian prostitute, and he defends sex work as an honored profession. Their exchange highlights how different their worlds are, but it also reassures Maddie that Apollo is answering her honestly.

Maddie next asks about the attacks that forced them back to Karsvall. Apollo explains two likely motives: enemies may be targeting him because he is Queen Aurora’s strategist, or they may be targeting Maddie because she and Apollo are another magically joined cross-world couple, something Baldur and Minerva may resent. Apollo believes the attackers were skilled enough that the assaults were meant as a serious warning, showing that his enemies could reach him, Maddie, and his children. When Maddie asks about Derrik, Apollo reveals that Derrik has gone on a self-imposed assignment that Apollo does not like, and his worry makes Maddie drop the subject.

Maddie then shares the hopeful news she has been saving: she baked chocolate chip cookies for Apollo and for his children, Christophe and Elan. By offering them a favorite treat from her own world, she is also offering herself, and Apollo immediately realizes this means she is ready to meet them. He decides they will all dine together the day after tomorrow, and his happiness over her choice strengthens their bond. After that, Maddie initiates a more adventurous sexual encounter, taking control and inviting Apollo to hold back while she explores him. The intensity escalates until he takes charge again, and afterward he is openly moved when Maddie calls him "Lo." In their quiet aftermath, Apollo admits he never thought he could be happy again, much less happier, and Maddie softly answers that she has never been happy at all until now, promising to tell him why later.