Auren sees that Bryol is destroyed, all rubble and burnt stone. Wick explains that the Carrick monarchy attacked the city to eliminate the Turley family as a threat and forbade its rebuilding. The Vulmin will want Auren to take the throne after they overthrow King Carrick. She denies any desire to be queen, saying she only wants to stop the monarchy’s terrorism. Wick warns her not to be ignorant of what the Vulmin expect.

Auren enters the ruined city on foot, feeling a deep connection to the place. Emonie, Ludo, and other Vulmin follow in silent support. She goes to her childhood home, and the sight unlocks memories of her happy past with her parents. She realizes her house was the epicenter of the attack that killed thousands because of her family. Weeping tears of gold, she hears her mother’s voice in memory, encouraging her to be strong.

Wick says the Carricks did not win completely because she survived. Emonie places her broken-winged bird charm on the ash as tribute, and the other Vulmin follow, leaving their sigils and kneeling with her. Auren presses her hand to the ground and uses her magic to grow a massive, solid gold tree from the ashes of her home.

The group travels to Naonos Erith, a village built by Bryol’s survivors from the city’s ruins. One hundred villagers wait for them, erupting in clamor upon seeing Auren. Wick calls for them to join the rebellion. They readily agree. That evening, Auren celebrates with the villagers. She dances with her lifeless ribbons, wishing Slade and her family were there.

The next morning, Auren wakes with a hangover. Their host, Elisabeth, provides a potent cure. After breakfast, Wick and Ludo speak with Lerana, Ludo’s sister and a Vulmin spy. She brings news of Oreans in Riffalt City who may need rescuing. Lerana says rumors of Auren’s return are spreading.

Wick explains the mission is risky but will be good for morale. He asks her to accompany him, explaining she will need a disguise. Auren eagerly agrees, wanting to take an active role and help people.

Malina reflects on her changed relationship with her assassin, Dommik, and feels guilt over Jeo, her former saddle, whom she used in rebellion against Midas. She feels responsible for his death, as Dommik killed him during a previous assassination attempt. After sharing a meal, Dommik shadow-leaps them to the road outside Highbell.

As they observe the castle, a fae soldier attacks. Dommik saves Malina by decapitating the soldier, then calms her. He buries the body and decides they must leap directly to the castle.

They arrive to find Highbell Castle damaged, with gold fixtures removed and gilded walls chipped, and a large crowd gathered. Queen Kaila of Third Kingdom stands on the balcony, addressing the people. She announces King Midas is dead and that, as his grieving betrothed, she is fulfilling his last wish to care for Sixth Kingdom. Malina sees Third Kingdom soldiers integrated with Highbell’s guards and realizes Kaila is trying to take her kingdom.

Furious, Malina pushes through the crowd and declares herself queen. She explains she was tricked in Seventh Kingdom and gave her blood to the fae, who have repaired the Bridge of Lemuria and are marching to invade Orea. Kaila and the crowd laugh at her, humiliating Malina. Kaila calls her “mad” and orders guards to take her inside. As she is hauled into her own castle, Malina desperately shouts for the people to prepare for attack.

Kaila hosts Malina at the dining table, asserting her new authority. Malina can sense Dommik is hidden in the room’s shadows. She notes the room has been ransacked, with gold items stolen. Kaila accuses Malina of lying about the fae to regain power. Malina insists Midas arranged her death so he could marry Kaila. Kaila claims the people hate Malina and adore her for restoring peace.

Malina offers to let Kaila have the throne if she will help save Highbell from the fae. Kaila surprisingly agrees, and they make plans to gather guards and prepare the castle. Leaving the dining room, Malina sees a familiar pregnant woman being escorted by guards—Mist, Midas’s saddle. She then hears what sounds like Midas’s voice whispering her name. She follows it into a dark room, where a door clangs shut behind her.

Kaila appears with guards and a key, revealing Malina is trapped in Auren’s gilded cage. She used voice magic to mimic Midas’s voice. Kaila dismisses the fae threat and reveals she plans to claim Mist’s baby as her and Midas’s heir to secure her claim. She taunts Malina about being jealous of Auren. When Malina says Auren enjoyed being Midas’s favored saddle, Kaila informs her that Auren killed Midas, who was a fraud. Kaila leaves Malina locked in the cage, shocked.

Malina observes Auren’s untouched belongings, guilty about her complicity in Auren’s captivity. She wonders if Auren hated Midas and the gilded cage. Dommik appears from the shadows, having searched for her. He easily picks the lock to free her.

Malina resolves to prepare for the fae attack, even if Kaila will not. Dommik affirms his belief in her, saying he does not just believe her—he believes in her. He kisses her forehead. They sneak out, and Dommik shadow-leaps them to the soldiers’ barracks.

Malina confronts the soldiers and their general, ordering them to prepare for attack. The general and soldiers mock her. They state they now take orders from Queen Kaila. Malina admits she was wrong to order them to kill citizens during the riots, but they are not swayed. All the soldiers turn their backs on her.

Devastated, Malina leaves. Dommik offers to kill the general and Kaila, but she refuses, knowing the people need Kaila. She says she has a plan and needs a horse.

Dommik insists on riding the same horse as Malina. They ride down the dangerous mountain road. Malina uses his distracting touch to manage her fear of heights. The horse slips on ice, nearly falling off the mountain, but Dommik expertly saves them.

They arrive safely in the city. Malina rides into the busy market square, dismounts, and addresses the crowd, warning them of the fae invasion. The people reject her, shouting that they want Queen Kaila and calling her a liar. The crowd disperses. She remains determined.

She and Dommik race to the bridge serving as the main entrance to the city. Knowing the bridge is the choke point from the main road, Malina decides to build a defensive wall to protect Highbell. She kneels and desperately begs her magic for help, filled with regret for her past actions. Her magic surges in response, and she forms a solid brick of ice in her hands.

Auren’s group travels to their mission rendezvous. She reflects on her love for Slade. Two Vulmin, Marox and Ogith, are very attentive toward her. They arrive at the meeting place, ruins of a violet-stoned temple. Ludo warns Emonie not to steal from the sacred temple. An old fae named Brennur arrives to meet them. Wick explains they need his help rescuing Oreans in Riffalt.

Brennur is shocked to see Auren, whom he believed dead. He initially refuses to take her to Riffalt City, fearing the danger of her being recognized. Wick reminds him of his vow to the Vulmin, and Brennur reluctantly agrees. He leads them outside and uses his magic to grow a fairy ring of grass and flowers on the ground. Wick explains this is how they will travel to Riffalt, as the rings have twins in different locations.

They all travel through, and the world warps around them. The sensation fills Auren with panic and anxiety, a stark contrast to how the others experience it. They arrive in an identical ring inside a bedroom in Riffalt City. Brennur arrives last and magically dismantles the ring. Marox and Ogith leave to protect Brennur. Wick tells the remaining four that the mission is about to get much more difficult.

Wick briefs the group about Oreans at Lord Cull’s estate. Auren and Emonie will pose as servants to investigate inside, while Wick and Ludo pose as horse traders to watch outside. He stresses the danger and that their primary goal is gathering information, not rescue. Emonie uses her glamour magic to disguise Auren, who hides her golden ribbons under her clothes.

The four leave the inn and walk through Riffalt, which teems with Stone Swords. Emonie produces a stolen basket; Auren quietly warns her not to steal while surrounded by guards. A Stone Sword stops and questions them. To maintain cover, Auren gives a false name, Nenet, and claims their cousin is Ludo. Emonie tries to talk their way out, but the guard becomes aggressive and grabs Auren’s arm. She grabs his wrist and secretly channels rot-gold into his split knuckles. The guard begins to choke as the rot-gold fills and decays his lungs. She and Emonie pretend the guard is merely sick as Wick joins them, and they quickly walk away. Wick tells Auren not to feel bad, as the guard would have killed them.

They walk to a wealthier area. Ludo acquires a horse from a contact. They arrive at Lord Cull’s massive estate. Lerana meets them and provides final disguises and cover stories. Wick warns Auren and Emonie to leave immediately if they sense danger. As they follow Lerana toward the manor, Auren feels like a true Vulmin.