In the Blue Court dry dock, Tharion repairs his wave skimmer by hand to clear his head after the day’s revelations. He thinks through what he has learned: Ithan Holstrom knew almost nothing useful, but Ithan agreed to help track Emile if needed, and Tharion believes finding the boy matters if Pippa Spetsos is also hunting him. Tharion also reflects on Danika’s connection to Sofie and on how large the situation around Sofie and Emile may become.

The River Queen’s daughter arrives and tries to draw Tharion into intimacy. Tharion politely refuses, lies about needing the skimmer for work, and answers her jealous questions about his visit to the city by naming Bryce, Ruhn, Ithan, and Hunt. To calm her suspicions, Tharion emphasizes that Bryce is with Hunt and even recklessly suggests a future outing with them as a double date. Once she leaves with her guards, the encounter underscores how trapped Tharion feels by the vows binding him to her and by the life the River Queen expects him to accept.

Alone again, Tharion thinks about the future awaiting him: marriage, children, and permanent confinement beneath the river. He considers that fate worse than death and decides that the investigation into Sofie and Emile may offer him a temporary escape. Although Tharion does not care much about the rebellion itself, he plans to stretch out the mission and see whether the intelligence Sofie gathered might somehow benefit him before his past choices finally catch up with him.

Elsewhere, Hunt finishes an exhausting, deliberate tour of the Comitium for Baxian, who clearly enjoys keeping Hunt away from Bryce. In the barracks, Baxian’s unfamiliarity with ordinary technology reminds Hunt how isolated life under Sandriel was. Hunt’s resentment spikes when he sees Pollux occupying Vik’s old room and Baxian taking Justinian’s, but he notices Baxian’s loneliness and offers to show him video games the next day.

After Pollux shuts himself away, Hunt joins Isaiah and Naomi in the common room. The three quietly complain about Pollux and Baxian living in the barracks and briefly revisit Hunt’s near-rebellion in the spring; Hunt insists that by the end he had truly changed his mind. Isaiah reveals he has signed a lease and plans to move out, while Naomi stays for the free rent despite the new hallmates.

As Hunt prepares to leave, he realizes that telling Isaiah and Naomi about Cormac, Sofie, and Emile might protect Bryce and possibly save himself from future punishment. He almost confesses that rebels are converging on the city, but the risk and consequences stop him. Hunt chooses silence and walks away, leaving the danger hidden from his friends.