Isla rushes through the castle toward the gardens after hearing that a Starling ruler has been attacked. Because Ella is alive, Isla clings to the hope that Celeste must also be alive, but Isla forces herself to hide the depth of her fear because Isla is not supposed to know Celeste well enough to care so openly.

In the gardens, Isla finds Celeste floating in a miniature maze, wrapped in silver fog and web-thin strands, as if asleep. Oro is already there and identifies the magic as an old enchantment and poison. Isla immediately suspects Cleo, because Oro had warned that Cleo might go after Celeste.

Oro explains that Moonling healing would strengthen the poison, so they cannot cure Celeste by ordinary means. The poison should have killed Celeste instantly, but the attacker appears to have been interrupted, leaving Celeste alive but unconscious. Oro warns that Celeste might take days or weeks to wake, if Celeste wakes at all.

Isla is devastated and feels powerless again after having begun to feel stronger during the Centennial. Isla blames herself for leaving Celeste alone at the celebration and remembers all the times Celeste protected and comforted Isla.

After Oro leaves, Grim appears nearby. Isla asks Grim to hide Celeste because whoever attacked Celeste may return to finish the job. Grim agrees without questioning Isla, and Celeste’s body vanishes.