Gideon Sharpe infiltrates Larkmont Palace in a stolen guard uniform, having knocked out one guard and killed four others to get inside. Hidden among Prince Soren's security during a private recital, Gideon fixes his attention on Rune Winters, who stands beside Soren in a gold engagement dress. Gideon has volunteered for this mission because intelligence says Rune agreed to marry Soren if he gives Cressida an army, and Gideon believes that alliance would bring war against the New Republic and restore witch rule.

As Gideon watches from the wall, jealousy and bitterness sharpen his resolve. Soren displays Rune possessively before his guests, and Gideon is sickened by the prince's touch and by Rune's apparent willingness to flirt back. Gideon also thinks of Alex, who is barely buried, and interprets Rune's engagement to a prince as proof that he never truly had a chance with her.

During conversation with the guests, Rune speaks about missing the old witch kingdom and describes the revolution as the night Gideon Sharpe led rebels into the palace and murdered queens while witches were cut down in the streets. Gideon bristles at the version of events she gives. Rune then says witches are still being slaughtered and that she will not be free until her fellow witches are free, reinforcing the political stakes behind her alliance with Soren.

When the recital begins, Rune suddenly reacts badly to the music and asks to leave, saying she needs to powder her nose. Soren refuses because the concert is meant to celebrate their engagement and grips her hand hard enough to alarm Gideon. Gideon nearly steps in, but Rune handles the situation herself by blocking Soren, embracing him, and promising that she has planned something special for him later that night.

Rune kisses Soren, and the sight confirms Gideon's fear that their intimacy is real, deepening his pain and pushing him toward violence. Gideon reaches for his pistol, but Rune slips away before he acts. After teasing Soren with her promise, Rune hurries from the ballroom, takes a bottle of whiskey from a servant in the doorway, and disappears into the hall, giving Gideon the opening he has been waiting for.