In the Court of Shadows, Jude meets the rest of Prince Dain’s spies: the Ghost, a quiet and graceful faerie who may be part human, and the Bomb, a tiny winged girl who likes explosives. The Roach explains that the group exists to keep Dain alive, informed, crowned, and eventually secure on the throne. Jude’s usefulness comes from being able to pass among both human servants and the Gentry, but her duties must fit around lessons, family dinners, and Madoc’s household.

The spies accept Jude without an initiation because Dain has already made her one of them, though the Bomb warns that Jude has not yet earned a code name. When the Roach reviews Jude’s report about Balekin’s poison-related correspondence, the group agrees Balekin is dangerous. The Bomb points out that if Balekin meant to expose the matter to High King Eldred, he would have done so already, making Jude realize Balekin might intend to poison his father rather than only Dain.

The Ghost escorts Jude home through underground tunnels and a passage into the High King’s wine cellar, joking about stealing bottles along the way. Jude tries to laugh but realizes she is still shaken by the previous day’s drugging and humiliation; despite wanting to believe she is fine, she is not as unaffected as she pretends.

After changing clothes, Jude returns to Madoc’s estate and finds Oak playing with Vivi, Taryn, and Locke. Locke privately urges Jude and Taryn to return to lessons, framing Jude’s conflict with Cardan and the others as part of a larger game of power and reputation. In the stables, Locke asks why Jude has not told Madoc about the bullying, and Jude explains that Madoc would not make her retreat. Locke takes Jude’s hands, kisses her palm, and nearly kisses her before Taryn interrupts to summon them to dinner.

After dinner, Madoc gives Jude military history books and promises strategy challenges as part of her training. Later, Taryn confronts Jude about Cardan’s cruelty and Jude’s refusal to back down. Jude argues that every day she refuses to beg forgiveness weakens Cardan’s power over her, while Taryn warns that Cardan is dangerous. Taryn then reveals that a faerie suitor will declare himself at Dain’s coronation and ask Madoc for her hand, but Taryn is forbidden to name him and says she wants to prove she can live like one of the Folk.

Jude shows Taryn the stolen copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from Hollow Hall, but a folded paper slips out. Jude cannot explain its source because Dain’s geas stops her from saying she is spying for him. She hides the paper and falls asleep while Taryn reads. In the morning, Jude unfolds it and discovers it is covered in Cardan’s furious handwriting, addressed to her.