In the Asteri throne room, Hunt is shaken by the sight of his severed wings displayed among the preserved wings of other Fallen, including Shahar and Isaiah. Bryce remains openly defiant before Rigelus, while Hunt notices Baxian and Mordoc enter to stand with the other enforcers. Because Baxian shows no sign of recognition, Hunt briefly fears that Baxian’s earlier help was part of a trap.

Bryce openly tells Hunt and Ruhn what she learned in the archive: the Asteri are parasites who feed on firstlight and secondlight. Rigelus confirms much of the danger around them, explaining that he let Cormac continue his rebel work so the Asteri could identify more traitors, and he reveals that Cormac died destroying the lab while another male escaped. Rigelus also targets Ruhn personally, threatening to use the Autumn King’s brutal methods again, which enrages Bryce.

When Bryce offers to open a portal if Hunt and Ruhn are released forever, Rigelus admits how completely he has manipulated events. He reveals that he impersonated Aidas, used the Reapers and other attacks to test Bryce’s power, and received reports from Celestina about Hunt’s movements. Rigelus then explains that Bryce’s star is a beacon to the Fae’s original world, and he intends to use Bryce and the Horn to reach that world so the Asteri can take revenge and claim its magic.

Bryce insists on her bargain, and Rigelus allows farewells. Hunt tells Bryce that he loves her and promises he will find her again across any distance. During Bryce’s embrace with Ruhn, the hidden plan becomes clear: the Hind has slipped Bryce a key, Bryce has quietly unlocked Hunt’s and Ruhn’s chains, and Ruhn reveals that the Oracle once told him the royal line would end with him. Ruhn urges Bryce to live, take the Starsword, seek Hel’s armies if she can, and become queen.

Bryce drops her chains, grabs the Starsword, and blasts Rigelus with starlight. Hunt throws off his own chains and attacks as well, while Baxian turns on the Asteri’s side and tackles Pollux; Mordoc is left bleeding and the Hind falls unconscious in the chaos. Bryce runs for the Gate as Rigelus chases her through the hall, blasting apart windows and statues. Hunt sends lightning that reaches Bryce, charges her, and helps activate the Gate. Though wards limit her teleportation, Bryce keeps jumping forward, blinds Rigelus with a burst of light, and finally hurls herself into the Gate, escaping alone while Hunt and Ruhn remain behind.