Ruhn is held at gunpoint by Pollux as two imperial guards drag in Lidia’s sons, Brann and Actaeon, bound in gorsian shackles and forced to their knees. Pollux mocks the boys’ capture and Lidia’s helplessness, making it clear he intends to use them to punish her.

Pollux orders the guards to fetch Rigelus so he can witness what Pollux plans to do. The moment the guards leave, Tharion strikes first, launching a concentrated blast of water at Pollux.

Pollux evades the water and fires with angelic power, hitting Tharion in the chest. Tharion collapses, bleeding and unnervingly still, while Pollux returns his focus to Lidia and the boys.

Lidia begs Pollux to stop, offering herself and anything he wants, but Pollux cruelly offers her the “choice” of which son dies first and threatens to feed them to deathstalkers. Brann rages against his gag while Actaeon watches Pollux for an opening and silently urges his mother to kill him.

Seeing Lidia’s desperation and realizing there is no way to save the boys by force, Ruhn steps forward and offers himself in exchange for Brann and Actaeon. He declares to Pollux that Lidia is his mate, provokes Pollux’s ego, and proposes a bargain: release Lidia, the boys, and Tharion, and Ruhn will surrender without weapons or magic. Ruhn tells Lidia mind-to-mind that he loves her, cuts the connection before she can answer, and raises his hands to give himself to Pollux.