Mische and Asar shelter in Esme’s hidden home in Psyche, where Esme’s formless shadow servants serve illusory food and drink. Though the food is not real, it tastes vivid enough that Mische revels in mortal pleasures she has not experienced in decades, while Asar appears unusually relaxed in Esme’s company.

Esme explains that Esme was once the warden of Morthryn before Malach killed her. Esme’s soul could not pass fully into the underworld, so with Asar’s help Esme shaped a refuge from Psyche’s illusions and now helps maintain parts of the Descent that Asar cannot reach easily.

Asar tells Esme plainly that Nyaxia has tasked Asar with resurrecting Alarus, and Esme is alarmed. Asar introduces Mische as a former Dawndrinker under Morthryn’s care and adds that Mische killed Malach, which instantly wins Esme’s approval. When Asar shows Esme his damaged Heir Mark and admits there was trouble with the others, Esme’s humor fades.

Esme warns that Secrets and Soul remain dangerous and that the gods and wraiths are restless. After Esme sends Mische upstairs to bathe, Mische pauses to eavesdrop as Esme urges Asar to abandon the mission, return to the surface, become king, and prevent Egrette from ruling.

Asar refuses to turn back, partly because Asar believes Asar must right past wrongs connected to Ophelia and the worsening state of the Descent. Mische recognizes Asar’s need for redemption and feels torn because Mische needs Asar to finish the mission but also does not want Asar to die. Esme tells Asar to keep Mische alive, and Asar lightens the mood by revealing that Asar knows Mische is spying on them.