After the Kesathese delegation departs, the banquet hall descends into chaos as Dominion nobles argue over whether Surakwel Mantes was justified in challenging the Night Emperor. Surakwel approaches Talasyn, claiming he owes her a life-debt, but she rebuffs him, pointing out his dishonorable use of a crossbow during a sword fight. He explains he saw a chance to save Nenavar and free her from the marriage, but she leaves it to Niamha—who arrives furious—to inform him about the plan to combine light and shadow magic against the Voidfell.

As Talasyn watches the squabbling nobles, she has a pivotal realization: her own open hostility toward Alaric has encouraged the court's resistance to the alliance. By treating him poorly and letting the Nenavarene mock him, she reinforced the perception that she was a helpless victim, undermining the matriarchal culture's values and pushing the Dominion closer to an unwinnable war. She recalls Prince Elagbi's warning that the court would follow her lead. With only five months until the Moonless Dark and the Voidfell, Talasyn publicly declares before the assembled nobles that the marriage is not forced, that she accepts Alaric of her own free will, and commands the court to respect him as her future consort.

Later that night, Talasyn slips out to Alaric's chambers. He yanks her inside to avoid giving potential snipers a target. When she tries to apologize on behalf of the Dominion, he calls her a "beautiful little idiot" for throwing herself into the path of his Shadowgate spell. He cages her against the wardrobe, and in the charged closeness, Talasyn loses her train of thought entirely, acutely aware of his scent, his heartbeat, and his proximity. She nearly longs for him to kiss her before he abruptly pulls away, sitting on the bed and regarding her warily.

Alaric demands to know why she intervened during the duel. Talasyn deflects, saying she was preventing a diplomatic incident, and casually refers to Surakwel by his first name, which seems to provoke Alaric in a way she doesn't fully understand. When she tries to formally reaffirm Nenavar's cooperation, Alaric coldly assumes she's been sent by Urduja and dismisses her. Talasyn wants to correct him—she came on her own—but fears he won't believe her.

Talasyn searches for reasons to stay, realizing with painful clarity that she doesn't want to leave his company. She wants his banter, his distraction, the comfort of speaking her native language with someone, and she wants him to stop being angry at her. But Alaric firmly orders her out. She departs with forced dignity, and only halfway across the orchid garden does she realize that Alaric called her beautiful. She turns back, but his chambers are already dark and silent.