In Morven’s throne room, Bryce watches Flynn confront the Stag King over his sister, Sathia, being held by the Murder Twins. Morven claims Valbaran Fae have sought refuge on Avallen, but only at a “price”: unwed females must marry or be sent back to Lunathion. Sathia reveals the Hawthorne family is now wanted by the Asteri for Flynn’s role in helping Ruhn, Hunt, and Baxian escape, making returning deadly.

As Morven and the Murder Twins press the threat, Bryce blocks their invasive shadows with a mental wall of starlight, while Ruhn warns her to keep it up and confirms Hunt has protected his own mind with lightning. Morven declares Sathia’s father has agreed Sathia must choose between Seamus or Duncan, or be deported, and he emphasizes Avallen’s belief that females’ value is only in bearing heirs. Bryce challenges the hypocrisy and cruelty, while Flynn dismisses it as “not our problem,” shocking the others.

Bryce pivots to their mission and demands entry to the Avallen Archives and the Cave of Princes, insisting that as Starborn Princess, she is not asking permission. She draws Starsword and Truth-Teller, and Morven reacts with fear and recognition of the dagger’s power; the weapons tug violently toward each other until Bryce sheathes them. Morven claims tradition forbids females from those sacred places and threatens to call the Asteri, but Bryce counters that he would have to open the mists and exposes his desire to avoid Asteri attention.

To force cooperation, Bryce offers the Autumn King’s private journal as leverage, implying it contains incriminating scheming Morven would want. She also demands Sathia be freed from coerced marriage and leave with them, proposing Flynn as her “responsibility.” Morven refuses, calling Flynn an unsuitable chaperone, and Ruhn urges Bryce to let it go, but Lidia quietly admits she never had anyone fight for her—hardening Bryce’s resolve.

Before Bryce can escalate, Tharion steps in and declares he will marry Sathia, abruptly changing the negotiation’s terms. The scene then shifts to Lunathion, where Hypaxia completes a prolonged resurrection ritual to raise the decapitated Fendyr heir, Sigrid, while Ithan waits in dread and Jesiba monitors the process. Sigrid sits up with stitched neck and a corpse-like stillness—no breathing—then opens acid-green eyes, prompting Jesiba to name what returned: a “Reaper.”