Meryn returns from the underground prison to the Rawbond common area and rushes to wake Killian in her bed. Overwhelmed with emotion, she tells him she found Saela alive beneath the castle, imprisoned along with dozens of other children. She explains that the children are periodically taken away and likely killed, and that Saela could be next. When Meryn reveals that King Allard—Killian's own father—is the one who selects the children and takes them, Killian is devastated. His shock quickly transforms into rage, and he vows to stop his father no matter what.

Together, Meryn and Killian formulate a plan: at the next day's graduation ceremony, when each Rawbond approaches the king to receive his blessing, Meryn will strike and kill the king. Killian, who has access to castle guard operations, will work on neutralizing the prison's security so the children can be freed. They agree the plan cannot wait, and Killian declares that tomorrow the throne will be theirs.

The following afternoon, the arena is packed with nobles and Bonded for the graduation ceremony. Meryn, dressed in her training uniform with a ceremonial sword, watches King Cyril seated above them, stroking his wolf-pommel blade. She steels herself for the assassination, drawing strength from Killian standing at the king's right hand. When the direwolves enter, Anassa approaches Meryn angrily—Meryn had kept their mental wall up—but when Meryn shares her plan, Anassa simply growls, "Make it quick."

Leader Aldrich begins the ceremony, announcing that seventy-six Rawbonds will officially become Bonded. But King Cyril interrupts, seizing the voice amplifier. He declares that too many Rawbonds survived the Unity Trials and announces a surprise addition: a final free-for-all battle before any blessings are given. The announcement throws Meryn's plan into disarray. Killian catches her eyes from the platform, visibly alarmed. The king slams his sword into the stage and commands the fight to begin, and chaos erupts in the arena.