Rune rides hard through the countryside on Lady, raw with grief and anger after ending things with Gideon. She replays their intimacy and his promises in her head, trying to smother the part of herself that still aches for him, and reminding herself that Gideon has always been hunting the Crimson Moth.

Without fully intending to, Rune finds herself arriving at Thornwood Hall. A stable hand takes Lady, and Rune rushes inside, where Alexander Sharpe sees her tearstained face and immediately worries something has happened to her.

In the conservatory, Rune tells Alex she was right to distrust Gideon: Gideon suspected her all along and only courted her because he thought she might be the Moth. When Alex asks if Gideon still believes it, Rune admits she is not certain, but thinks Gideon insisted to others that Rune is not a witch.

Alex abruptly begs Rune not to leave him behind on the island and asks her to come with him when he goes to Caelis. He places a silver ring on her finger and confesses he has loved her for years, that he knows what she is and what she has done, and that he accepts her completely.

Rune resists, saying she cannot abandon helpless witches and escape her guilt, but Alex argues that Kestrel would not want Rune to spend her life punishing herself. He insists Cressida is alive and far more powerful, and that Cressida can continue Rune’s cause. Alex kisses Rune, and while the passion is not like what Rune feels with Gideon, Rune recognizes the gentleness and safety Alex offers.

Overwhelmed and grieving, Rune finally agrees to go to Caelis and be Alex’s wife, choosing him as the safe life she can actually share—because unlike Gideon, Alex does not want her dead.