Chaol takes Duva's dark attack meant for Yrene, and the blow tears through his spine worse than before. Duva mocks the undoing of Yrene's healing work and strikes Chaol repeatedly until his legs go numb again. As Duva produces the black Valg ring and threatens Yrene, Yrene grabs Chaol's sword, throws it as a distraction, and flees into the treasure-filled necropolis.

Yrene runs without a true plan, trying to buy time and find some way to trap Duva. Duva pursues her with shadows, shattering stone and hurling debris that wounds Yrene's head. Yrene arms herself with a short-sword, but when Duva suddenly appears in her path, Yrene cannot bring herself to strike the pregnant princess's womb and is seized.

Duva drags Yrene back toward Chaol, who has crawled through blood despite his ruined legs. Duva threatens either to kill Chaol before Yrene or force the ring onto Yrene while Chaol watches. Yrene breaks free by stomping Duva's foot, striking Duva's elbow, and elbowing Duva in the face, then takes Chaol's dagger and prepares to kill the stunned princess.

Chaol begs Yrene not to do it. Yrene realizes Chaol is dying, but Duva is still young and carries an unborn child, and Yrene's oath as a healer will not let Yrene take those lives. Yrene drops the dagger just as Hafiza arrives, supported by Nesryn and Sartaq; Hafiza sends Duva into a deep sleep, while Nesryn fears they have come too late.

Yrene turns to Chaol and tries to heal the catastrophic damage, but his life is slipping away. A strange voice speaking through Hafiza says the repair is too great and must have a cost; Yrene freely offers to pay it for Chaol. The healers of the Torre form a living chain of power through Hafiza and Eretia into Yrene, allowing Yrene to restore Chaol's body.

When the healing ends, Chaol moves his feet and knees, opens his eyes, and asks whether he is dead. Yrene tells him he is alive, and they kiss in relief. Chaol's body is not only restored, but the scar that had once marked his cheek is gone.