Preparing for the feast Cardan is throwing in Wren's honor, Oak gathers a picnic basket and sets off toward Wren's cottage, hopeful. Wren intercepts him in the woods. Oak impulsively tells her he loves her, but she looks horrified and demands he call off the marriage. She refuses to explain, saying only that he must be the one to end it. Hurt and angry, Oak storms off, leaving the picnic behind.

Suspicious of Mother Marrow's role in Bogdana's plans, Oak detours to Mandrake Market to question her. Mother Marrow admits hags resent the Greenbriar line and want one of their own on the throne. She reveals that Wren's magic is warped: rather than creating like a true hag, Wren can only absorb and unmake, and using her power hurts her because Mellith's heart became the locus of the curse on Mab. Mother Marrow says the curse cannot be undone and ominously hints Bogdana will see Oak soon.

Oak arrives late to the feast in the brugh. He spars verbally with Tiernan, who reluctantly admits feelings for Hyacinthe after Hyacinthe saved him on the ship. Lady Elaine, a conspirator Oak has been stringing along, presses him to meet her and her allies in the gardens at midnight, claiming her friends can clarify the rumors about his loyalty. Oak agrees implicitly, recognizing this as a chance to expose the conspiracy.

Wren enters wearing a gown of spider silk and a crown of icicles, with Hyacinthe at her side in black. Her gaze finds Oak with relief, and they share a brief smile before remembering their estrangement. Lady Elaine clings to Oak possessively. Oak reflects that he has played the empty-headed courtier for so long that no one truly knows him, including Wren, which may be why she cannot love him.