Ten years after being taken to Elfhame, Jude prepares for a revel at the High King’s Court while Tatterfell, an imp servant in Madoc’s household, braids and dresses her. Tatterfell reminds Jude that the tournament is still four nights away and urges her to bring honor to Madoc’s household. Their exchange reveals Jude’s frustration with being human in Faerie and her determination to earn a permanent place at Court through skill rather than marriage.

Jude reflects on her life in Madoc’s estate on Insmire. Although Madoc murdered her parents and brought Jude, Taryn, and Vivienne to Faerie, he raised them according to faerie custom because they were his wife’s children. He trained Jude and her sisters in weapons, played games with them, cared for them, and became someone Jude loves despite the violence and discomfort bound up in that love.

Taryn enters Jude’s room dressed for Court and insists that they are going to have fun at the revel. Jude is anxious about the coming tournament, hoping to impress someone powerful enough to grant her knighthood, but Taryn’s excitement draws Jude out. Jude arms herself automatically before leaving, showing that even ordinary social events in Faerie carry danger.

On the way downstairs, Jude and Taryn find Vivi hiding on a balcony with a human comic zine, refusing to attend. Jude recalls how the sisters once clung to memories of the mortal world, but now Vivi remains the one most committed to hating Madoc and resisting life in Faerie. Jude lies to Madoc about not knowing where Vivi is, taking advantage of a human’s ability to lie in a world where faeries cannot.

In the hall, Madoc waits with his second wife, Oriana. Madoc compliments Jude and Taryn, then receives a secret note from one of his spies. Oriana warns the twins not to eat, drink, or dance at Court, fearing that mortal weakness could lead to disaster and embarrass Madoc. Jude notes Oriana’s distrust of her and Taryn, especially because Oriana’s young son Oak sees them as sisters.

The family mounts faerie horses outside Madoc’s house. Taryn rides ahead eagerly, and Jude follows her into the night toward the Court, caught between fear, ambition, and the desire to belong in a world that constantly reminds her she is an outsider.