After the group’s success in the Black Forest, Ravyn sends Elm ahead and has Elspeth ride with him instead. Elspeth asks about the wrapped charm Ravyn gave Jespyr, and Ravyn explains it was a viper’s head, kept covered so its fangs do not harm him. Ravyn admits the theft of the Iron Gate would not have worked without Elspeth, then tells Elspeth she frightened him because her eyes flashed yellow and she seemed surrounded by an unfamiliar darkness.

During the quiet ride back to Castle Yew, Elspeth senses that the Nightmare is unusually still when Elspeth is near Ravyn. They arrive before dawn, and Ravyn helps Elspeth down from the horse. Ravyn asks whether Elspeth still wants to continue pretending they are courting, now that more people will be watching them, and their evasive exchange reveals growing mutual attraction. In Elspeth’s room, Elspeth finds the flower crown from earlier placed on Elspeth’s pillow, with a blood-red rose petal falling from it.

Elspeth dreams again of the ancient vine-covered room and the armored knight with yellow eyes. The knight calls Elspeth by name and demands to be let out before the room erupts into flames. Elspeth wakes in pain, sees the bruises from the previous day, and then glimpses a furred, yellow-eyed creature in the mirror. The vision vanishes, leaving Elspeth terrified that the soul reflected in Elspeth’s eyes may be the Nightmare’s rather than Elspeth’s own.

Later, Elspeth meets Ravyn on the stairs, and Ravyn gently examines Elspeth’s swollen wrist. Their banter continues, with Elspeth calling Ravyn a highwayman rather than a Destrier. The moment is interrupted when Morette leaves the parlor with Ione Hawthorn, whose beauty has been transformed by the Maiden Card.

In the parlor, Elspeth realizes Ione is using the Maiden’s magic without carrying the Card, meaning Ione cannot easily release the magic or its effects. Ione’s polished beauty is matched by a coldness that alarms Elspeth, and the Nightmare confirms the change. Ione avoids explaining the real reason for Ione’s visit until Elm appears and announces that the Destriers have arrived. Ione then states that Ione came to speak with Hauth, revealing that Hauth and the Destriers are coming to train at Castle Yew despite Hauth’s recent violence against Elspeth.