As the wedding draws near, the planning committee discusses the consummation night logistics. Lueve Rasmey explains that Alaric will allow Talasyn time to prepare before joining her in her chambers. Both Talasyn and Alaric are visibly uncomfortable, though Talasyn avoids revealing that they've already agreed to simply share quarters without consummating the marriage, not wanting to give Rajan Gitab cause to question the alliance's validity. Queen Urduja takes over, discussing the castle of Iantas—Talasyn's dowry and Alaric's permanent Nenavarene residence—and noting that running a household will be good experience for Talasyn.

Activity intensifies around the Starlight Tower and the Roof of Heaven's grand ballroom as decorators and cleaners prepare for the ceremony and reception. Talasyn attends dress fittings and rehearsals, struggling to accept the reality of her impending marriage. The day before the wedding, Kesathese officers arrive in Eskaya to serve as witnesses. Talasyn watches from a tower, her instincts flaring at the sight of her former enemies, briefly fantasizing about attacking the Night Empire's High Command before reminding herself that Gaheris isn't present and that patience and other strategies are needed. Alaric catches her staring from below; she retreats from the window in embarrassment, then returns to glare at him, only to find he's already gone inside.

Talasyn encounters Rajan Kai Gitab in the Queenswalk, a dimly lit portrait hall. Gitab acknowledges that Urduja placed him on the negotiation panel to reassure critics, and he directs Talasyn's attention to the portrait of Magwayen Silim, Urduja's mother and the previous Zahiya-lachis. He explains that Magwayen spent her later years preparing Nenavar for the World-Eater's return, establishing protocols and countermeasures as a backup. Talasyn assures him the Lightweave-Shadowgate barrier won't fail.

Gitab then raises a sensitive subject: when Urduja dies, a new dynasty will rise bearing Talasyn's mother Hanan Ivralis's name. This is the first time a noble has mentioned Hanan to Talasyn at court. When Talasyn asks if it bothers him that an outsider's name will found the new house, Gitab professes loyalty to whomever the ancestors bless and declares his devotion to Nenavar's best interests. He quietly pledges his support for after the crisis, saying he trusts they share the goal of preventing the Shadow from falling permanently over Nenavar. Talasyn recognizes in Gitab the same patriotic fire she saw in Surakwel Mantes, and while she doesn't fully trust him yet, she sees value in cultivating him as a potential ally within the Dominion court.