Back in the shared room at the inn, Maddie watches Apollo leave and begins to question her anger toward him. Thinking through everything that has happened, she admits to herself that Apollo saved her from Pol, gave her safety and comfort, and has shown loyalty, humor, intelligence, generosity, and duty even if he is also controlling and arrogant. Her reflection softens her view of him and makes her decide there is no need to keep making a difficult situation worse.

As she prepares for bed, Maddie notices that the wine has been replaced by a glowing pot of tea and cups. Curious, she tastes it and finds it soothing and delicious, but the drink quickly affects her body and mind, making her intensely aroused and restless. Realizing too late that something is wrong, she becomes fixated on needing touch just as Apollo returns to the room.

Apollo immediately understands that Maddie has drunk adela tea. He tries to stop the situation from going further, warning that she is not in her right mind and saying he should tie her down and leave for her own good. Maddie repeatedly begs him to stay, insists she will not regret it, and asks for no distance between them. After making her swear there will be no recriminations in the morning, Apollo locks the door, drinks the tea himself so he can match its effects, and gives in to her insistence.

Maddie and Apollo then spend the night together in a long, mutually desired sexual encounter that fully changes the tension between them. Their earlier conflict gives way to intimacy, eagerness, and tenderness, and Apollo addresses her with affectionate names throughout the night. At the end, as Maddie drifts to sleep on top of him, she thanks Apollo for not leaving her, and his quiet response closes the chapter on a note of emotional closeness as well as physical consummation.