Years later in the present, adult Galantia travels by carriage with her mother and Risa toward Ammarett, the capital of the kingdom of Dranada, for her wedding to Prince Domren, the heir to the throne. She mocks a portrait of her betrothed and spars with her distant, critical mother. Galantia reflects that the betrothal is politically necessary to keep Lord Brisden loyal to King Barat, as Tidestone, Galantia’s home, is the last stronghold protecting the capital from the Ravens. She hopes marriage will bring freedom and finally make her feel loved.

The carriage passes burned fields. Risa explains that Ravens spread pests, forcing farmers to burn crops, and mentions their new leader, the Lord of Shadows. Lady Brisden rebukes Risa for using his title.

When a horse goes lame, the carriage stops in the village of Larpen. Galantia and Risa exit and follow sounds of commotion to a crowd gathered at gallows behind the chapel. A black-haired woman is being whipped and accused of being a Raven witch responsible for crop blight. Risa explains the torture is meant to force her to shapeshift. After boiling water is poured on her back and she receives another lash, the woman transforms into five ravens, which men spear with lances. The crowd surges forward, tearing the dead birds apart. Galantia watches in horror as a boy beneath the platform grins while eating a piece of raven flesh.

The next morning, Galantia is served a roasted bird at the inn and feels nauseated, thinking of the previous day. Risa points out that the villagers are so impoverished that they were likely grateful to have meat to eat at all. Galantia reflects on her father’s approval after she killed the Raven boy and resolves to maintain her hatred for Ravens.

As Risa prepares to curl her hair, black birds fly in through the window, merging into a green-eyed man. Risa throws hot curlers at him, and he shifts back into ravens. Risa shoves Galantia out, telling her to run to the guards.

Downstairs, Galantia witnesses carnage: a Raven committing rape and a female Raven named Lorn killing a guard with shadow magic. Lorn spots Galantia and calls her a “broodmare.” Risa pushes Galantia through the kitchen and tears her fine dress to disguise her status, shouting for her to hide in the wheat fields.

Outside, a Raven grabs Galantia and attempts to rape her. The green-eyed Raven from her room, Sebian, stops him, insisting that she is the one they’re looking for. Lorn arrives holding Risa captive with shadow magic. To save Risa, Galantia reveals her identity. Lorn orders Sebian to take her to Malyr. When Galantia pleads to bring Risa as her chaperone, Lorn mocks her for needing a nursemaid and stabs Risa in the neck, killing her.

Lorn drops Risa’s body and flies away. Galantia collapses beside the corpse, which shows signs of shadow poisoning. Overcome with grief, she suppresses her emotions using her childhood breathing mantra, refusing to cry. Sebian carries her through the devastated village to a seemingly abandoned camp in a copse of trees.

Galantia asks who Malyr is. Sebian reveals he is taking her to Captain Asker, a fate who wants her alive because of a vision. Several ravens watching from nearby dive at her and merge into a tall, dark-haired man. Sebian confirms this is Malyr, the Lord of Shadows. Malyr inspects Galantia closely, touching her face and smelling her hair. When Sebian reveals her name, Malyr identifies her as Lord Brisden’s daughter, and his apathy becomes “frightening interest.” He grabs her throat, then unleashes his shadow magic into her mouth and throat, suffocating her until she loses consciousness.

From Sebian’s perspective, he fears Malyr will accidentally kill Galantia. He uses his gift to calm Malyr’s shadows, forcing him to release her. Elovan, a blind Raven healer, arrives and absorbs the residual shadows from Galantia’s throat.

Captain Asker confirms Galantia is the woman from his vision. Malyr identifies her as Lord Brisden’s daughter. Asker proposes exchanging her for his bonded mate, Marla, who is imprisoned by Brisden. Malyr notes that Galantia is also betrothed to Prince Domren, making her the future queen consort. The name Domren triggers a painful memory for Sebian, who now sees Galantia as a tool for revenge against Domren and suggests using her to lure him into a trap. Asker argues that his visions and the war effort are failing without Marla. Malyr agrees to the exchange but warns Sebian she must remain untainted.

Asker assigns Sebian to escort Galantia to Deepmarsh Castle and protect her from Malyr. Sebian refuses, claiming he cannot stand against Malyr. Asker argues that their friendship makes Sebian uniquely able to stop him. Haunted by past failures, Sebian insists Galantia’s safety is Asker’s problem and flies away.

After days of delirious sleep, Galantia awakens in a well-appointed chamber in Deepmarsh Castle. The door is unlocked, but looking out the window she sees the castle is surrounded by impassable marshland. She touches the bruises on her throat, finding the pain strangely intriguing.

A raven hits her window. She backs away and finds Malyr in the room behind her. He orders her to turn so he can see his shadowmarks on her throat. She notices the Khysal sigil on his vest and realizes he is Raven royalty. He crowds her against the wall, touching her bruises and telling her that he hates her because she is human and reminds him of her father. When he threatens sexual assault, Galantia grabs a knife from her meal tray and holds it to his throat. Malyr is intrigued and leans into the blade until it cuts him. He reveals that her father tortured him in the dungeons of her childhood home, then forces the blade against her lips and a bloodied finger into her mouth. Galantia notices a round, black mark under his ear and realizes he is the Raven boy from her childhood, but lies about recognizing it. Malyr explains that Brisden had the mark inked into Malyr’s skin so that Brisden would recognize Malyr if he ever escaped.

Malyr restrains Galantia with shadows and carves the Khysal sigil into her chest. Galantia uses her breathing mantra to suppress screams and deny him her tears. When finished, Malyr tells her to run, then shifts into ravens that peck and tear at her. She flees screaming through the corridors until she collides with Sebian, who, despite his earlier refusal, is at the castle. He catches her, sees she is bleeding, and carries her away.

Sebian brings Galantia to his chamber, gives her medicated tea, and treats the wounds Malyr carved into her chest. When she notices the burn scars covering his hands and arms, he explains that humans often set Ravens on fire to damage their wings, and that her father is particularly fond of this tactic.

Galantia asks why she is being held. Sebian corrects her, calling her a “guest,” and explains the plan to exchange her for Marla, Captain Asker’s bonded mate. He explains that Ravens have fated mates chosen by their goddess. Relieved, Galantia feels confident her father will agree to the exchange to preserve her betrothal. Sebian confirms Malyr is Prince Malyr, the last of House Khysal and son of the late King Omaniel and Queen Elnora.

As Sebian treats Galantia’s wounds, she feels a strange attraction to him. Sebian notes that, as a “pathfinder,” he has extremely heightened senses, so he can tell that her heartbeat quickens and her breath changes when he is near her. He also jokes about how being charming is another of his gifts, causing Galantia to smile for the first time in a long time. She scolds herself, insisting that he is her captor and that she is only confused by his kindness.

Galantia worries the carved sigil could jeopardize her betrothal. Sebian advises her not to provoke Malyr or draw his attention. He grows distant when she thanks him for his protection and ends the conversation by announcing a feast to introduce her to the Court of Ravens.

In a flashback to Valtaris during the war, young Prince Malyr attends a war council with his father, King Omaniel; his mother, Queen Elnora; his older brother Harlen; his sister Naya; and Captain Asker. Asker proposes that Malyr use his shadow magic to cover pathfinders attacking human archers. Malyr fears his shadows, which are powerful but unpredictable and have previously killed his pet. He has kept them suppressed for years. His disappointed father demands he participate; his mother defends him and sends him to take Naya to safety in the lower chambers.

As Malyr carries Naya through the grounds, a catapult strike hits a nearby tower. Falling debris crushes Naya, killing her instantly. Malyr’s grief causes him to lose control. His shadows erupt in a massive wave across Valtaris, consuming everyone in darkness—including his parents and brother—as their screams fade to silence. Unable to recall or control them, he can only watch as his magic engulfs the entire kingdom. Asker arrives and asks in horror what Malyr has done.