Bryce reflects on the fallout of recent events. The world and Hunt now know she is a bastard Fae princess, though the press has not yet reported it. She tore up Jesiba's check that would have cleared centuries of debts, feeling it no longer matters now that Hunt is gone. Watching the Summit's opening procession on the news, Bryce fixated solely on Hunt, noting his gray wings had regrown but unable to catch any further glimpses of him in subsequent recaps.

Bryce contemplates her failed attempts to free Hunt. She would have willingly traded places with him, even knowing the torture Sandriel and Pollux would inflict. She spent days researching the law for any loophole but found none—her only options had been to buy him or offer herself in his stead, both of which were refused. She also dismisses Hunt's cruel parting words, believing he said them deliberately to push her away and protect her.

Bryce has been sleeping in Hunt's room each night, wearing his T-shirt and lying in sheets that still smell of him. An envelope from the Comitium arrived at the gallery containing the white opal Hunt once had; Isaiah wrote a brief note explaining Naomi found the stone on the barge and adding that Hunt is sorry. Bryce placed the opal in her desk drawer and now takes it out again, running her finger over its surface.

Lehabah notices Bryce's misery and asks what they do now—whether they simply return to normal. Bryce says yes, but Lehabah questions what normal even means, calling it boring. The exchange leads to a tender moment: Bryce apologizes for not always being a good friend to Lehabah, and Lehabah assures her they will get through this together—Bryce, Lehabah, and Syrinx. Bryce holds up a finger for Lehabah to clasp, sealing their pact.