The chapter opens with the unnamed narrator being strapped to the saddle of a Moltenmaw as it flies across the Boltanic Plains toward Dhomm. During the journey, Slátra follows behind through the brutal heat, and the narrator repeatedly begs the rider for blue beads that could summon moisture and protect Slátra from the sun. The rider ignores every plea, so Slátra keeps flying until the damage becomes catastrophic.

Because Slátra stays with the narrator despite the conditions, her silver body begins to bubble and burst, and her wings become too ruined to hold her aloft. Slátra finally plummets into the burning dunes, and the narrator feels helplessly shattered as Slátra crawls across the sand, keening in pain. The narrator realizes Slátra has likely been blinded by staring into the sun and doubts that any healer will be able to restore either her sight or her trust.

After reaching Dhomm, Slátra curls up inside a hutch near the Imperial Stronghold. In spite of her suffering, Slátra pulls the narrator tightly against her chest, and the narrator reads that gesture as Slátra refusing to leave her alone. King Ostern permits the narrator to sleep in the guarded hutch with Slátra, though the narrator believes the guards are unnecessary because she would never abandon Slátra in this condition.

In the final reflection, the narrator explains that wearing the Aether Stone now prevents her from sustaining a cloud long enough to guide Slátra safely back across the plains. That limitation leaves the narrator trapped in the hot, humid place while an unwanted male rules her kingdom back home. The chapter ends with the narrator overwhelmed by guilt, blaming herself for riding Slátra away from her home and for causing the suffering of her beautiful, broken Moonplume.