The Feast of High Winter begins at Ascalon Palace. Ead, dressed as a courtier, is accompanied by Margret to the Banqueting House, where they join Loth at the high table. Before Sabran arrives, Loth shares the results of his interrogation of Igrain Crest. Crest considered herself the judge of queens: she learned of Queen Rosarian's affair with Captain Gian Harlowe, meaning Sabran may be Harlowe's daughter rather than the late king's. When Rosarian refused to end the affair, Crest conspired with King Sigoso of Yscalin to murder her. Later, Crest orchestrated the staged assassination attempts on Sabran to frighten her into obedience, infiltrated Truyde's plot to kill Lievelyn because he had too much influence over Sabran, and ultimately concluded that the House of Berethnet was of "tainted seed" and that the throne should pass to Crest's own heir.

Sabran enters the feast dressed in mourning black, without powder or jewels, and announces to the court that she lost her daughter during an ordeal caused by a treasonous councillor. She names Igrain Crest as the perpetrator, pardons those who served Crest under duress, and rallies her court with a rousing speech about Virtudom's defiance against Draconic threats. The court erupts in fervent loyalty. Afterward, in the Presence Chamber, Sabran formally bestows honors: Margret becomes a Lady of the Bedchamber, Ead is named Dame Eadaz uq-Nāra, Viscountess Nurtha, and a member of the Virtues Council, and Sir Tharian Lintley is made Viscount Morwe, enabling him to propose to Margret.

Sabran then requests a candle dance, the first time she has danced publicly since her mother's death. She and Ead perform an intimate, mesmerizing dance before the court. Afterward, Sabran retires, and Ead follows her to the Great Bedchamber. Sabran confronts Ead about hiding her true identity, expressing anger and hurt that their relationship may have been part of Ead's assignment. Ead assures Sabran that their bond was real, explaining that revealing more would have meant execution. They reconcile and make love. In the quiet afterward, Sabran asks what Ead will do if she succeeds in binding the Nameless One, and Ead says she could do anything—but the question opens a painful silence about their uncertain future.

Before dawn, Ead slips away and rides out with Margret toward Goldenbirch to search for Ascalon, the True Sword. During the ride, Margret hints she knows about Ead and Sabran's relationship, and Ead neither confirms nor denies it. Meanwhile, Loth visits the ruins of the Marble Gallery with Sabran, who speaks of her lost daughter Glorian and of Aubrecht Lievelyn. Sabran encourages Loth not to let grief for Kit cloud his judgment.

Loth then interrogates Lord Seyton Combe in the Dearn Tower. Combe explains that he discovered Crest's conspiracy through her secretary's financial records—recurring payments from the Duchy of Askrdal, funds from Cárscaro linked to Queen Rosarian's murder, and money funneled to the half-brother of the woman who shot Lievelyn. Combe admits he failed to watch the Dukes Spiritual, assuming their loyalty, but insists he acted to protect Sabran once he uncovered the plot. Loth, though distrustful, accepts Combe's offer to testify against Crest and asks him to send money to Kit Glade's parents for their loss.