Jude accompanies Vivi, Oak, and Heather through Target in the mortal world as Vivi and Oak buy bedding, clothes, lunch boxes, toys, and candy. Oak, glamoured to hide his horns and pointed ears, explores the store with curiosity, while Heather questions Vivi’s explanation for suddenly taking in a child.

Jude reflects on the aftermath of Cardan’s coronation. Oriana agreed that Oak should stay away from the Court for a few years, Balekin has been imprisoned in a tower, and Madoc woke too late to seize the crown. Heather has allowed Oak to stay with Vivi despite the thin cover story, and Jude recognizes that Vivi is still concealing the truth from Heather.

At Heather’s apartment, the group makes personal pizzas. Oak asks whether Oriana will visit and how he will know when his time away is finished. Jude tells Oak to think of life with Vivi as an apprenticeship and says he should return when coming home feels difficult rather than easy, a response that makes Vivi thoughtful.

Jude then returns alone to Faerie and goes to the palace rooms she now occupies. Jude plans to keep Cardan close, use the power of his oath to stabilize the kingdom, and expand the Court of Shadows beneath the castle as both spies and watchers of the High King. Jude knows she has avoided speaking with Cardan since commanding him and can no longer delay the confrontation.

Jude finds Cardan alone in the great hall on the throne. Seeing him dressed and poised as the King of Faerie unsettles Jude, who realizes both the danger of what she has done and the pull of his new authority. Cardan reminds Jude that his obedience lasts only a year and a day, and Jude says she hopes to persuade him to keep ruling until Oak is ready.

Cardan refuses to become useful on Jude’s terms. Instead of threatening rebellion, Cardan declares that Jude made him a puppet, so Jude can do the real ruling as his seneschal while Cardan drinks, entertains, and acts as a useless shield for Oak. Cardan then offers Jude the throne, making clear that the power Jude won has become a burden she must personally bear.