Larran arrives at Kiela's cottage with wood and tools to build floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Over two days, Kiela, Larran, Bryn, Radane, Caz, and Meep work together, talking about their lives and passions. Eadie and Ulina visit with cherries and a lap harp for Caz, and the Pine Cone Coven gathers happily. Kiela has never been happier.

On the third day, Radane returns alone, bringing back the repaired cookbook. As they shelve books, Kiela and Radane discuss spellwork, particularly Kiela's goal of helping the merhorses, who struggle with conception without sorcerer aid. Radane's university training proves invaluable, and they begin adapting horse and magical-creature spells. Kiela invites Radane back, telling her she belongs as a Caltreyan now, not defined by her name.

By the fourth day, the shelves are finished, books organized, and the spell is ready. Larran kisses Kiela when she shares the news. Kiela insists on bringing Ivor in to monitor the casting, arguing that more friends mean more safety, not more risk, and that healthy merhorses benefit the whole island community.

On the jetty, Larran calls Marri, a four-year-old mare who hasn't quickened. Kiela smears the paste on Marri's stomach and chants the spell carefully. Ivor reveals his own hidden magic by casting a detection spell—golden sand confirms success. Larran weeps with gratitude, and the merhorse rejoins her herd.

Afterward, Larran kisses Kiela and asks her something; she agrees to anything before he finishes. Their moment is shattered when a mermaid shrieks a warning from the waves: an imperial warship is sailing straight for Caltrey's harbor.