Evangeline regains sensation after six weeks as a statue and wakes in a palace laboratory. A handsome young potion master supports her while confirming that her voice and memory have returned. Evangeline identifies herself, learns she is in the Meridian Empire palace, and realizes her rescuer is Poison, the Poisoner Fate.

Poison takes back the goblet that contained the cursed potion and explains that Jacks did not send him. Poison says Jacks found serious trouble during Evangeline's time as stone and will not be returning to Valenda. When Evangeline insists she does not want to see Jacks again, Poison warns that anyone who enters the Fates' world is drawn back to it, especially until a bargain is fulfilled.

After Poison says he is helping the crown to avoid exile like other misbehaving Fates, Evangeline goes upstairs and finds a bright great room filled with people celebrating her return. Friends and customers from her father's curiosity shop greet her as a hero, but Evangeline is unsettled by Luc's absence and surprised by Marisol's warm welcome cake.

Agnes embraces Evangeline and immediately reveals that suitors have been asking about her. Agnes introduces Kutlass Knightlinger of The Whisper Gazette, who pulls Evangeline aside for an interview. Kutlass explains that after Evangeline turned to stone, the Fates escaped from a deck of cards and caused the Week of Terror, while Evangeline's sacrifice made her one of Valenda's favorite heroes.

Marisol interrupts the interview, and Evangeline rescues her from Kutlass. Alone together, Marisol reveals that she and Luc tried to marry again two weeks after Evangeline became stone, but Luc was attacked by a mysterious wolf on his way to the wedding and has refused to see Marisol since. Valenda now calls Marisol the Cursed Bride, and Evangeline suspects Jacks fulfilled his promise to stop the wedding again. Evangeline nearly confesses her bargain with Jacks but cannot bring herself to risk losing Marisol's newfound sisterly affection.