As the High Priest’s magic fades and warmth returns to the throne room, Prince Zavier and his rangers leave, followed by the Guardian and the Voster High Priest. King Roan appeals to his emissary, Brother Dime, for a way around the ruling that Odessa must marry Zavier, but Dime departs after calling it Odessa’s “fortune.” Exhausted by the magic’s sting, Odessa collapses, and Roan confirms to General Banner that the decree stands, dismissing him and the guards so only family remains.

With the room cleared, Mae presses a knife to Odessa’s throat and demands to know what Odessa did to attract Zavier; Roan intervenes, disarming Mae. Roan questions Odessa about any Turan contact; she admits only to passing Brother Dime outside the crux gallery and otherwise offers partial truths about her day. Roan unexpectedly softens, apologizing and calling her “Dess,” but insists the marriage cannot be refused due to the Shield of Sparrows and the need to avoid angering Turah before the crux migration.

Roan then pivots, ordering Odessa to act as a spy once in Turah: she must find the secret way into Allesaria before summer’s end and send word back via her maids, Brielle and Jocelyn. He further instructs her to learn the extent and source of the Guardian’s powers and, if possible, to kill the Guardian. Odessa is shocked, noting rumors of the Guardian’s lethal prowess, and recalls his unusual eyes lacking a starburst.

Odessa accuses Roan of orchestrating events, and he admits he staged missing ships after marroweel attacks and hired Turans to clear the route to lure Zavier to Roslo, hoping to accelerate Mae’s wedding in exchange for grain due to Turah’s drought. He claims no actual soldiers were lost in the staged disappearances. The unexpected bride prize and Zavier’s rejection of Mae, however, derailed his plan.

Roan explains the Shield of Sparrows’ trade and blood-bond marriages that preserve peace and prepare for migrations, reiterating that refusals mean a king’s death. He emphasizes urgency: Allesaria must be breached before winter snows and potentially earlier-than-predicted crux migration. When Odessa presses for motives, Roan withholds details, saying Turah has something he needs to stop the crux and that treaties “can be broken.”

Under pressure, Odessa repeats her orders: find the way into Allesaria, learn the Guardian’s powers, and kill him if possible. Roan expresses confidence, promising to bring her home, and instructs Margot to prepare Odessa for the wedding that night, while Mae seethes and edges toward her discarded knife.