After Yrene leaves, Chaol keeps trying to move his toes, not fully feeling them but confirming that they obey him. Chaol does not tell Nesryn about this progress when Nesryn returns, and Chaol postpones their planned visit to Nesryn’s family because Chaol wants to continue treatment with Yrene. Chaol kisses Nesryn briefly, but Chaol recognizes that the kiss lacks heat or feeling, a sign of the distance that has grown between them.

At dinner, Chaol intends to request another audience with the khagan so Chaol can warn the khagan about what Chaol knows. The khagan is absent, still mourning in private with his wife, so Chaol has no chance to speak. Meanwhile, Antica prepares for Tehome’s Day, a sea-goddess holiday marked by wreaths, food, ceremonies, and prayers for mercy before the storm season.

The next morning, Chaol eagerly prepares for Yrene’s arrival, but Yrene is late. After waiting more than an hour in the busy palace courtyard, Chaol rides to the Torre himself, hoping to meet Yrene on the way. At the Torre, Chaol learns from Hafiza and another healer that Yrene never left because Yrene is still asleep, drained by the previous healing session and carried to her room the night before.

Hafiza reassures Chaol that Yrene’s sleep is natural and restorative, though the cost of Yrene’s magic is clear. Chaol offers to escort Hafiza, and while traveling through the crowded streets, Chaol sees how revered Hafiza is, with people stopping her simply to touch her hand. Chaol eventually returns toward the palace, still thinking of Yrene asleep in the tower.

Yrene wakes after a day and a half, realizing that the healing that moved Chaol’s toes exhausted her. Before dawn on Tehome’s Day, Yrene goes to the Torre courtyard and finds Chaol already waiting on horseback with another mare for her. Chaol questions Yrene’s health before allowing treatment, which frustrates Yrene, but the exchange also shows Chaol’s concern and renews their sharp, playful dynamic.

Yrene explains that the healers are trying to maintain normalcy after the murder at the Torre, led by Hafiza and Eretia’s calm example, and Chaol offers to help with another self-defense lesson. Yrene then works Chaol’s legs while Chaol remains mounted, explaining that riding can aid therapy. As Yrene exercises Chaol’s legs and instructs Chaol to keep moving his toes, they discuss Yrene’s time on the steppes, Kashin’s past feelings for her, and Yrene’s determination to return to Fenharrow rather than give up that dream. The conversation ends warmly, and Yrene leads Chaol into the awakening city.