After Yrene pushes Hasar into the pool, Yrene expects immediate execution. Chaol steps in front of Yrene with a sword half drawn, assessing how to get them past guards and nobles if violence begins. Hasar rises furious, but Renia bursts into laughter, Kashin joins her, and their reaction defuses the danger.

Hasar’s anger turns into grudging approval as Hasar tells Yrene she had wondered when Yrene would grow a backbone. Yrene realizes Renia and Kashin’s laughter may have been a deliberate gift to save Yrene and Chaol from Hasar’s wrath. Yrene leads Chaol away, deciding that keeping her head is an excellent birthday present.

In Yrene’s tent, Chaol suppresses the urge to scold Yrene because Chaol understands Yrene acted in response to Hasar’s insult against him. Their banter shifts into a serious conversation about Aelin. Chaol explains that he once loved Aelin under another identity, struggled when he learned who Aelin truly was, blamed Aelin during a painful period, but now trusts Aelin more than anyone to face Morath.

Yrene asks whether Chaol still loves Aelin, and Chaol answers no; Chaol also says he does not love Nesryn. Chaol then gives Yrene a silver birthday locket engraved with Yrene’s initials on one side and mountains and seas on the other, meant to remind Yrene that Yrene crossed and climbed everything to reach Antica. Yrene is deeply moved, especially because no one has given Yrene a birthday gift since Yrene was eleven.

Yrene puts on the locket and kisses Chaol, telling Chaol she is glad he does not love Aelin or Nesryn. Chaol returns the feeling, and their restraint gives way. After Chaol confirms Yrene’s consent, they make love; afterward, Chaol recognizes that with Yrene, in this foreign land, Chaol feels at home.