Guards seize Gideon after Rune disarms him, and Cressida takes control of the room. She dismisses everyone except Ava Saers, a witch scar artist Gideon recognizes from the old Roseblood circle, then has Ava cut a fresh casting scar into her arm. Using her blood, Cressida casts a binding spell that roots Gideon in place, making struggle useless. When Gideon begs Rune to shoot him before Cressida can torment him, Rune instead obeys Cressida, hands over the pistol, and leaves without helping him.

Alone with Gideon, Cressida questions him about why he came to Larkmont. Gideon admits he came alone to assassinate Rune in order to stop an alliance between Cressida and Prince Soren. Cressida studies his hesitation and presses on his emotional weakness instead of simply killing him. As she tears open his clothes and exposes the brand she once burned into his chest, she frames her cruelty as forgiveness and says she wants to make him hers again.

Cressida then reveals a larger threat. She says Gideon taught her how much she needs her sisters, and she plans to resurrect Elowyn and Analise. Cressida claims she secretly preserved their bodies with magic and explains that the resurrection spell requires the sacrifice of a close blood relative. Though Gideon argues that all her kin are dead, Cressida says she has discovered a hidden sibling somewhere in the world, someone currently concealed by ancient magic. Gideon realizes that if Cressida restores her sisters, the three Roseblood queens could destroy the New Republic together.

Cressida next turns the interrogation into psychological and physical domination. She insists Gideon still belongs to her and suggests his failure to kill Rune proves he cares for the Crimson Moth. Gideon denies it, but Cressida says she left a dormant spell inside the brand on his chest and activates it. The magic burns through Gideon with unbearable pain until even his attempt to hold onto thoughts of Rune fails and he begs for death. When the pain ends, Cressida offers him only two options: submit willingly to her or be forced back into obedience.