Kai lies in his cabin at sunset, frustrated by inactivity and drinking strong rum that reminds him of Ava’s death. Unwilling to be alone with his thoughts, he goes to Paedyn’s cabin. Paedyn teases him about entering properly, and Kai sprawls with his head in her lap as they banter and share the rum.

Their conversation turns candid. Paedyn admits there are many things she pretends not to love, and they agree they do not need to pretend while alone together, though Paedyn insists they must behave once back in Ilya because Kitt noticed her ring on the wrong finger. The unspoken fear that their time together is limited hangs between them. Paedyn then reveals she visited Kitt’s rooms the previous night, explaining she is trying to ease the tension and befriend him if they are to spend their lives together. Kai acknowledges hearing this but refuses to spend their limited private time talking about his brother, confessing his jealousy and desire.

To change the subject, Kai asks about Paedyn’s book—one from Calum that her father used to read to her. She describes a story about phoenixes and a strong girl she admired; a penciled childhood note reads, “I want to be powerful like her.” She says her other books are about magic and worlds she hoped to escape to. At Kai’s request, Paedyn reads the phoenix book aloud while he rests in her lap, and he imagines a future they will never have.

Noises from the deck interrupt them: stomping, clapping, and a badly tuned fiddle. Kai invites Paedyn to dance, kissing her thumb where Kitt’s ring is absent, and they nearly kiss again before the commotion pulls them outside. On deck, under moonlight, the crew dances in a circle to celebrate a tame day in the Shallows. First mate Leon, loosened by rum, explains the custom and invites them to join.

Kai offers playful quips as he and Paedyn enter the dance. He notices some crew members scowling at Paedyn while others ignore her, and he makes note of the hostile faces. Together they trade partners, share rum, and stomp to the off-key fiddle. Paedyn sings along with a sailor and seems freer at sea than in Ilya, which Kai recognizes and encourages by dancing, spinning her in moonlight, and letting her step on his toes.