Jude and Cardan’s interrogation turns into a charged kiss that unsettles them both. Jude intended the kiss as a kind of revenge and proof of Cardan’s unwanted desire, but Jude is frightened by how much she wants it too. When Jude throws away the knife, Cardan laughs, and Jude pulls back to hide her own vulnerability.

Cardan proposes a bargain: if Jude trades him to Balekin, Jude should secure Cardan lands far from court so Balekin can forget him. Jude then returns Cardan to the Court of Shadows’ rooms and tells the Roach and the Ghost that Madoc has already offered rewards for Cardan, but Jude needs time to work out the details. Jude sends them to decide exactly what they want while Jude leaves to think.

At the Lake of Masks, Jude weighs the danger of Balekin becoming High King against the danger of giving Cardan to Madoc. Balekin would be cruel and hostile to mortals, but Madoc would install Oak and rule violently as regent, shaping Oak into a weapon. Jude realizes the best hope is to crown Oak and send him to the mortal world with Vivi, keeping Madoc from molding him until Oak is old enough to return.

Before leaving the lake, Jude sees a vision in the water of Jude’s mother and Madoc from the past. Jude’s mother joyfully points Jude out as a human girl, while Madoc appears unexpectedly open and affectionate. Jude wants to warn Jude’s mother to run, but understands that running is exactly what Jude’s mother later did.

Back at the hideout, Jude finds the Bomb making explosives. The Bomb reveals that the Court of Shadows has guessed Jude has a plan and that the Bomb is willing to stay with Jude. Jude finally shares the shape of the plan: stealing the crown in front of the kings and queens of Faerie, and the Bomb eagerly asks what she can blow up.

Jude wakes Cardan and offers him an alternative to Balekin’s rule: Cardan will crown Oak, and Jude will send Oak to the mortal world to grow up outside Madoc’s control. To prevent betrayal, Jude demands Cardan’s oath of service. Cardan bargains for Hollow Hall, the royal wine cellars, and lessons from the Roach, then swears himself to Jude for one year and one day, leaving Jude with both a dangerous ally and a narrow path forward.