The dining hall in Treow was crowded and joyful as Zavier’s rangers reunited with family: Rafe with his wife and baby, Marlowe with her mother Mariette, and Hale with his husband. Brielle grew emotional and homesick, while Jocelyn attempted to comfort her. Odessa reflected that she did not truly miss Quentis or her father, only small comforts, and felt the pressure of her father’s demands to spy and find Allesaria.

Zavier appeared in the doorway and silently summoned Odessa outside. The two walked toward the training area in awkward silence until Odessa confronted him about Evangeline. Zavier confirmed Evangeline was his four-year-old daughter and admitted he would not have told Odessa, stating he wanted Evie far from court life. He revealed Evie’s mother had died in childbirth and that Evie had been raised mostly in Treow and Ellder, trained to keep the secret, though she slipped by calling him “Papa” earlier.

Odessa asked to get to know Evangeline, promising to keep the secret, and Zavier agreed. He gave Odessa a small, formal bow with hands to his heart, then changed the subject to Treow, where Odessa said she was settling in. At Odessa’s request, Zavier agreed to arrange for Brielle and Jocelyn to room together to help Brielle’s homesickness. Odessa asked about traveling, but Zavier offered only vague answers, noting it was safer for Evie and Odessa in Treow and that they would go to Ellder soon because Treow was unsafe during the approaching crux migration.

Realizing Ellder would delay any chance of reaching Allesaria or communicating with her father, Odessa’s hopes dimmed. At her treehouse, she impulsively kissed Zavier’s cheek, then apologized when he stiffened; he responded gently but withdrew. After he left, Odessa found the Guardian lounging on her bed. She ordered him out and accused him of invading her privacy. He deflected with a pointed remark about loneliness and abruptly asked where her home was; when Odessa named Roslo and Treow, he warned her to be careful.

The Guardian insulted Odessa about Zavier and her supposed desperation, then confronted her directly, asking if her father had sent her to spy. Odessa denied it too quickly to sound convincing. The Guardian left without further comment, dropping her rope ladder to the ground as he departed and leaping to his own balcony, slamming his door, leaving Odessa frustrated and unsettled.