In the days after Evangeline moves into Wolf Hall, her life appears outwardly magical: her royal suite fills with gowns, flowers, gifts, and even a mysteriously swift package from Empress Scarlett. Apollo treats Evangeline with generosity and devotion, but instead of feeling swept away, Evangeline feels uneasy, as if something about the engagement is wrong.

Evangeline reads a new issue of The Daily Rumor, which announces that only three days remain before the wedding. In an interview, Kristof Knightlinger presses Apollo about the extravagant stories surrounding his love for Evangeline. Apollo confirms his obsession by revealing a tattoo of Evangeline’s name inside a heart of crossed swords, denies that the Great Houses oppose the marriage, and insists that his brother Tiberius supports him despite rumors of another disappearance.

The article claims Apollo is completely bewitched, and Evangeline fears the word may be literally true. Apollo’s behavior feels too extreme to be ordinary love, leading Evangeline to suspect that Jacks may have used the blood he painted on her lips to enchant her kiss and make Apollo fall for her.

Evangeline struggles because she wants the engagement to be real. Marriage to Apollo would give Evangeline the fairy-tale love she came north seeking, prevent a return to her old life, and allow Evangeline to protect Marisol. But if Jacks has cursed Apollo, then the love is false and the future Evangeline is imagining cannot be trusted.

Reluctantly, Evangeline decides she must confront Jacks. Since Jacks may want the wedding to happen, Evangeline believes that gives her leverage: she can threaten or bargain for Apollo’s freedom and finally learn what Jacks truly wants. Evangeline writes Jacks a polite note asking to meet during her morning walk in the woods outside Wolf Hall.