Cassian meets Mor at a riverfront cafe in Velaris, and their conversation quickly turns from easy teasing to Nesta. Cassian admits that Nesta's collapse, her conflict with Feyre, and the pain it causes everyone all weigh on him, but he does not want to discuss it further. He asks instead about Mor's diplomatic trip to Vallahan, knowing her mission matters to the fragile peace after the war.

Mor reveals that Vallahan's rulers refused to sign the new treaty Rhys, Feyre, Amren, and their allies have spent months drafting. The refusal seems tied to unrest among the human queens and the fact that Vallahan, along with places like Montesere and Rask, may see another war as a chance to seize human territory. Because the human queens may be planning something despite their military weakness, Mor tells Cassian that Rhys wants him to investigate. Cassian realizes Vassa could provide insight into the queens, but Mor warns that Lucien's friendship with Vassa and Jurian may make his reports too biased to trust completely.

Before they part, Cassian tells Mor that he misses her frequent presence in Velaris and reminds her they would warn her if Keir ever came to the city. Mor says Eris has bought her more time, implying another bargain or sacrifice behind the delay, though she refuses to discuss it. Cassian leaves with a new political task and a clearer sense that multiple threats may be converging beyond Prythian.

Later that night, Nesta wakes in complete darkness in her room at the House of Wind and is briefly thrown back into memories of the old cottage and the years of hunger and fear. Standing at the window, she reflects on her mother's ambitions for her, on the failed life of privilege she once expected, and on Tomas Mandray's violence and the bloodshed tied to him. Nesta sees herself as someone who became a wolf to survive and then found that the same harshness consumed her as well. Unable to escape those thoughts, she returns to bed.

Elsewhere in the House, Cassian lies awake before Nesta's first training session. A sound in the hall puts him instantly on guard, reminding him of old attacks and of how heavily he relies on readiness, but he soon realizes Azriel has simply returned and wanted him to know he was nearby. Rhys then speaks mind-to-mind with Cassian, confirms that Nesta has slept all day, and reminds him that Mor will take him to Windhaven tomorrow. After the exchange ends, Cassian thinks of the coming lesson not as routine instruction but as a battle that may leave its own damage behind.