With the sweep of Dominion territory nearly complete, Alaric departs the Roof of Heaven ahead of Talasyn and Prince Elagbi, relieved to return to the familiar environment of his stormship, the Deliverance. Talasyn arrives aboard a diplomatic schooner with her Lachis-dalo guards, wearing a striking saffron-yellow dress that immediately catches Alaric off guard—he visibly reacts to her appearance before quickly composing himself and leading the delegation inside. Sevraim teases Alaric in front of Talasyn, and his easy rapport with the emperor reminds Talasyn painfully of her lost friendship with Khaede.

Alaric offers refreshments as a social courtesy, fully expecting refusal, but Talasyn calls his bluff and insists he join them for wine. Elagbi enthusiastically agrees. Over cherry wine imported from the Diwara Theocracy, the three share an awkward but civil interlude—until Elagbi raises the subject of wedding-night consummation. He explains that Nenavarene custom requires the couple to share the Lachis'ka's chambers on their wedding night to legitimize the union in the eyes of the court. Both Talasyn and Alaric are mortified. Elagbi then leaves them alone to discuss how to handle the arrangement.

Alone together, Talasyn pragmatically suggests they share a room for one night to keep up appearances, with Alaric taking the settee. However, Alaric—struggling with his physical attraction to Talasyn and his father's warnings about vulnerability—deflects his feelings into cruel words, dismissing the alliance and calling Talasyn shrewish. Talasyn retaliates by reminding him he called her beautiful, and their argument escalates viciously. Alaric grabs her hip, warning her that defiance could bring consequences down on Nenavar. Talasyn declares she hates him, and Alaric mockingly likens it to married life. He coldly reframes their relationship as purely transactional—requiring cooperation, not love—and reminds her they need each other to stop the Voidfell.

Afterward, Alaric joins Sevraim on the bridge. Sevraim probes about heirs and teases Alaric about the scene under the plumeria trees, but Alaric shuts him down. As reconnaissance reports come in confirming no Sardovian presence anywhere in the archipelago, Alaric privately acknowledges he has been unjust to Talasyn—she was not deceiving him. Yet he resolves to continue searching the wider world for the Sardovian remnant, vowing to crush any nation that harbors them.