Carrying a basket of tomatoes, Kiela descends to the beach intending to say goodbye to Larran. She watches him riding Sian, the golden merhorse, and reminds herself that she means nothing special to him so leaving should be simple. Sian charges to shore for the treats, and Larran greets Kiela warmly.

Larran clarifies that Radane has not been welcome in his bed and was never truly part of his life beyond her initial unconscious recovery. His care—particularly when he asks whether Caz is all right—undoes Kiela's resolve, and she impulsively kisses him. He kisses her back deeply.

Kiela then tells him she must leave Caltrey with Caz and Meep. She confesses everything: she is a librarian who fled the burning Great Library with stolen spellbooks, cobbled together practical spells, and is the rogue sorcerer Radane is hunting. She insists that staying would endanger everyone on the island once Radane connects the pine cones, the fountain, and Sian's healing to her.

Larran reframes her actions as bravery, crediting her with saving herself, Caz, Sian, Meep, and the islanders. He urges her to stay and refuses to simply let her sail away. Kiela admits aloud that she does not want to leave—she wants the cottage, the shop, the merfolk, the orchards, and Larran.

They kiss again, and Kiela tries to warn him off by listing her flaws—antisocial nature, obsession with books, intolerance for those who damage them. Larran laughs and tells her these are not flaws but simply her, and that he likes her very much. The chapter ends with them embracing on the beach, the decision to leave suspended.