Within the healing vision, Chaol faces the darkness without fear. By accepting every part of life and of himself, Chaol is no longer ruled by the wound inside him, and the darkness releases its grip before Yrene pulls Chaol back toward daylight.

Chaol awakens with no pain, numbness, stiffness, or exhaustion. Chaol can move his legs freely, and Yrene confirms that the Valg mark on Chaol’s spine is smaller and inert, though still present as a reminder. Yrene is drained by the healing, but Chaol realizes that Yrene has restored not only his body but also something burdened within him.

Yrene warns Chaol to rest while the healing settles, but the relief between them quickly turns intimate. After Chaol bathes, Yrene joins Chaol, and they spend the rest of the evening together, missing dinner, dessert, and midnight kahve while Kadja quietly changes the soiled sheets.

Later, exhausted and lying together, Chaol brings up Yrene’s confession in the darkness: Yrene said that she loves Chaol. Yrene admits that it is true, and Chaol answers that Chaol loves Yrene as well, explaining that Yrene was the first person in a long time to truly see him rather than his injury.

Their joy turns toward the uncertain future. Chaol says Chaol will make matters clear with Nesryn when Nesryn returns, but Chaol leaves the choice of Yrene’s path to Yrene. If Yrene wants to come, Chaol offers Yrene a place on Chaol’s ship and at Chaol’s side, and their teasing ends with the clear promise that they want a future together.