Lincoln awakens to find Imogen performing oral sex on him. Though aroused, he stops her, insisting that what she is doing is wrong. Imogen counters that he previously gave her permission to wake him this way whenever she wanted. She straddles him, and he reluctantly gives in, telling her to take what she wants. After they have sex, he tells her to leave, but she refuses.

Lincoln clarifies that his anger was directed at himself, not her, because he believes she cannot truly consent while he holds her captive. In response, Imogen delivers a passionate speech, asserting that she can and does consent to their relationship. She explains that because he makes her feel safe and protected, her consent is more meaningful, not less. Moved by her words, Lincoln accepts her consent but makes her promise to always tell him if he pushes her too far.

The next day, Imogen gets her period, and Lincoln finds her in the bathroom trying to use a tampon for the first time. He offers to help and gently inserts it for her, an act she finds unexpectedly arousing. Afterward, he licks her blood from his finger, which simultaneously disgusts and excites her. He informs her that they can still have sex while she is menstruating and that orgasms can alleviate cramps. Imogen expresses curiosity about having sex in the bath or shower. Later that day, after she has been working in the garden, he surprises her by running a bath for her.

Lincoln helps Imogen into the bath and tenderly washes her hair. When she playfully calls him her servant, he responds with complete seriousness, telling her that she owns him and he would gladly worship her. He considers reassuring her that her parents loved her deeply but is too much of a coward to say so aloud, instead telling her how beautiful and special she is to him. After drying her and changing her tampon, he carries her to bed, where Pierre serves them dinner. They watch a movie until Imogen falls asleep. Later, she wakes with cramps and asks to test his theory about orgasms. He uses his fingers to bring her to climax and then holds her for the rest of the night.

It is now September (Imogen has been staying at Lincoln’s home for five months). One day, while she and Lincoln are playing chess, she shares memories about her childhood at her grandfather’s home. She discloses that she was never allowed to leave her grandfather’s estate and explains that this isolation was supposedly for her protection from the Brotherhood.

Lincoln asks about her parents’ deaths. Imogen explains that she does not view her father as a traitor for betraying the Brotherhood; she theorizes that “he was a good man […] I think he tried to expose them for what they were and it got him killed” (291). Imogen believes that a man named Killian Wolfe (her godfather) killed her parents. Her grandfather protected her by hiding her and striking the bargain with the Brotherhood. Imogen states that Killian subsequently died in an explosion; his body was identified based on the presence of a tattoo. This story aligns with Lincoln’s previous recollections about faking his own death and removing a tattoo to conceal his true identity (implying that this might be the secret he has been hiding from Imogen).

Near the end of the game, Imogen makes a strategic move to protect her queen at the expense of her king, remarking, “A good knight always protects his queen… She’s the most powerful piece in the game.” (293) Aroused by her words Lincoln initiates sex while reflecting that “forever and always, she is my queen” (296).

When Lincoln heads to his basement office, Imogen asks to see this space. He reluctantly agrees and leads her to a room filled with computer monitors and a locked steel door. He tells her the door leads to his armory. When she questions the nature of his work, he is evasive, admitting only that he deals with dangerous people like the Brotherhood but is not one of them. He asks her to trust him and stop asking questions. Imogen tells him she wants to see every part of him, including his darkness. He promises that one day he will show her, and they embrace.

Edgar sends Lincoln a message; after the previous raid (in which Esme was liberated) Lincoln assigned Edgar to research Fraser Lane. Lincoln rushes to his office; when Pierre joins him there, Lincoln explains that he believes Fraser might be a Rook (a high-ranking member of the Brotherhood). Lincoln excitedly looks through the information that Edgar has unearthed and explains to Pierre that Fraser Lane was formerly a Knight (a lower ranking position in the Brotherhood); Lincoln believed he killed Fraser years ago but it seems that Fraser survived, assumed a new name (Francis Davies) and is now living in England. Lincoln also reveals in his reflections that his real name is Killian Wolfe.

Since Fraser/Francis has advanced in his position within the Brotherhood, Lincoln is eager to track him down. He fabricates an excuse to travel to England and begins preparing to depart.

In England, Lincoln disguises himself and ambushes Fraser Lane. Pretending to be a messenger from the Brotherhood’s “King,” he questions Fraser about Imogen. Fraser initially claims to know nothing so Lincoln injects Fraser with a truth serum. He tries to question Fraser about the identity of the “King” (the leader of the Brotherhood) but upon recognizing Lincoln as Killian Wolfe, Fraser bites down on a hidden cyanide capsule (which will kill him almost immediately). As he dies, Fraser gasps, “The Queen is the most powerful piece in the game” (310).

Lincoln is left confused and frustrated; he doesn’t know what Fraser meant and he is also alarmed because Imogen made an almost identical statement while they were playing chess. He wonders if she is somehow allied with the Brotherhood.

Back home, Lincoln confides his suspicions about Imogen to Pierre. They speculate that if the Brotherhood suspects Killian Wolfe is still alive, auctioning Imogen would be the perfect lure. This leaves Lincoln with a terrible question: is Imogen an innocent pawn or a willing conspirator? Pierre warns that if she was raised to be loyal to the Brotherhood, she would be capable of ruthless deception. He advises Lincoln to test her by giving her an opportunity to betray him.

Lincoln surprises Imogen by installing a television in a downstairs room so they can spend more time together. While they are cuddling on the sofa, Imogen asks him to describe what being in love feels like. He gives a detailed, emotional explanation, concluding that he has just described his feelings for her. Overwhelmed, Imogen tearfully tells him that she loves him, too. They share a long, passionate kiss, solidifying what she now recognizes as love.

A week later, Lincoln plans a surprise picnic for Imogen—their first time leaving the property together. He confesses to Pierre that the outing is also a test; the picnic spot is near a road, giving Imogen a clear opportunity to escape. Imogen is overjoyed by the surprise. During the picnic, they talk and then have sex in the open field. Afterwards, when a truck horn sounds from the nearby road, Imogen doesn’t react. Her apparent contentment convinces Lincoln that her feelings are genuine, and she has no desire to leave him.

Back at home, Lincoln tells Pierre that Imogen showed no signs of wanting to escape during their picnic. Pierre remains skeptical, suggesting she is simply smart enough to know an attempt would be futile. Their conversation turns to a debate about whether Lincoln should reveal his connection to Imogen’s past and family. Pierre thinks Lincoln should be honest with Imogen, but Lincoln is hesitant. They are interrupted by an alert from a tracking program, which has located one of the other women from the auction. Lincoln decides to leave immediately to rescue her.