The Moonskimmer lands near Mandrake Market before a crowd that includes the Living Council, Oak's family, and the High King and Queen. Jude arrives in plain clothes while Cardan dresses in finery, and they greet Oak and Wren formally. Cardan congratulates Wren on the death of her mother, Lady Nore, and announces a celebratory dinner the following dusk. Oak confirms the betrothal aloud, while Bogdana, transforming from vulture form, takes credit for saving the ship and demands the wedding occur within three days.

Wren refuses to stay in the palace, instead using the white walnut Mother Marrow gave her to grow a swan-feather pavilion on a patch of grass for herself and her people. Oak privately wonders about the chain of hags—Mother Marrow, the Thistlewitch, Bogdana—who seem to have been steering him toward a shared plan. He promises Wren he will visit her the next afternoon, hoping to take her around the isles, and notes how she trembles when he kisses her wrist.

Inside the palace, Oriana, Taryn, and Leander reunite with Oak. Cardan begs off the war room, and Jude insists Oak make time for her immediately. Oak negotiates for a bath and fresh clothes before her interrogation, hoping also to get a private word with Cardan, which Jude denies him.

In his rooms, Jude questions Oak about Wren. He admits he has known her since childhood—since the night during the war when he snuck off to meet the captive girl from the Court of Teeth. He confesses he betrayed her and isn't sure she'll forgive him, but insists the marriage is real on his end. Jude presses him about Wren's unmaking power, and Oak confirms it can destroy people. He cannot promise Wren is their ally or that the family is safe from her, but Jude says she will choose to trust him for now.