Gabriel and Dior find refuge for the night in a hollowed oak after their violent escape from Redwatch and the priory. In the freezing woods, Gabriel brews idleshade to dull Dior’s pain and they share food in strained silence. The threat of Danton’s pursuit remains immediate, and Gabriel acknowledges the calm will be brief. When Gabriel thanks Dior for returning to rescue him at the priory, she admits guilt for earlier mistakes that exposed them and confesses a pattern of betrayal in her life.

Prompted by Gabriel, Dior recounts her past in Lashaame. After her mother’s death she lived among street youths led by the Narrowman, where she learned thieving and fell in love with a pickpocket named Toff. Toff had been abused by Bishop Merciér, a celebrated cleric who ran the city orphanage. Although Toff refused violence on religious grounds, Dior convinced her to rob Merciér; when he unexpectedly returned mid-heist, Toff snapped and stabbed him. As Toff stood in shock, Merciér stabbed her in turn, and Dior’s hands were cut as she struggled with him before he died of blood loss.

With Toff dying, Dior pressed her bleeding palms to the wounds and discovered her healing gift, closing Toff’s injuries before the horrified eyes of their crew. Rather than gratitude, they denounced Dior as a witch—Toff included—and handed her to the magistrate, who held her for execution as the “Bishop Killer.” When the Inquisition came to burn her, Sister Chloe and her companions freed Dior and fled with her, but subsequent betrayals and losses left Dior convinced that everyone she cares for leaves or is taken away.

Gabriel empathizes, recalling his own monstrous transformation and others’ fear, but refuses to offer hollow faith. He admits he cannot believe in a loving God after what he has seen, yet he commits to die for his friends and vows not to abandon Dior again. He agrees to walk with her to San Michon despite his doubts about the prophecy, affirming their friendship.

Their exchange softens into banter as Dior notes Gabriel treats her differently now that he knows she is not a boy; he retorts he treats her differently because she is no longer acting like “a cunt,” making her laugh and easing her burden. Dior notices Gabriel’s knuckle tattoo of “Patience,” and he explains Astrid inked it after their daughter’s birth, saying the sacred imagery on his skin means less than the names he loves.

To prepare for the road, Gabriel gifts Dior stolen clothing and gear, including britches, boots, a shirt, and a fine snow-grey frockcoat with golden embroidery. Dior tries on the coat with delight, and Gabriel calls the sight “Magik,” closing the night on a note of fragile hope and renewed resolve.