Lia and Gwyneth ride down the trail toward Devil’s Canyon, a hot and somewhat desolate but beautiful place. Lia samples the blackberries and finds them delightful. When Gwyneth refers to her as “Princess,” Lia is immediately startled and pretends not to know what Gwyneth is talking about. Gwyneth admits that Berdi told her about Lia’s true identity because Gwyneth has connections in town and can alert them to new visitors. Lia reacts angrily at first, fearful of being caught and putting others at risk.

Gwyneth reacts differently to Lia’s decision to leave than others have; she questions Lia’s dismissal of her responsibilities as a royal. She admits that she has made mistakes of her own. When Lia asks what those were, Gwyneth refuses to answer and leaves to collect. Lia is alone and sitting by a palm tree to rest when Rafe appears on his horse.

Rafe hands Lia two baskets and tells her Pauline sent him to bring them back to Lia. He offers to help collect berries. Lia is struck by his sudden kindness but agrees. As they pick berries, neither admits where they’re really from, and both claim to be from small, nameless towns. Rafe says he plans to stay in town at least until the upcoming festival. Once all the berries are cleared, they make their way to a new spot and Lia suggests that Rafe could renovate the cottage to live in. She adds that she and Pauline could move back to the barn loft. Rafe seems skeptical of the idea and doesn’t comment much further.

As they explore the canyon, they come across two large dome-shaped buildings. They are leftover remnants of the Ancients, “demigods” who lived long ago and brought about their own demise. Lia dislikes these reminders of the old world. Rafe is perturbed by Lia’s disregard for tradition and assures her that some things are meant to last. Rafe notices Lia’s tattoo and comments on it, and Lia detests the fact that she is still unable to get rid of it. She yells out that the people who put it on her are barbarians. Lia tries to leave but Rafe grabs her wrist, staring at her. Lia waits for him to say something or kiss her. He does neither and leaves instead.

Lia finds an anonymous note in her wardrobe asking her to come to the east ruins alone that night. She wonders if it might be for Pauline, but decides to go on her own. As she walks, she wonders if she offended Rafe earlier with her comments about the Ancients or by using the word “barbarian” as an insult.

When she gets to the ruins, Lia hears someone approaching. It turns out to be her brother, Walther. Thrilled to see him, Lia runs and hugs him, and he congratulates her on her ability to hide well. He explains that he led some of the troops further north and then came south to find Lia with the three men he trusted most. Walther also tells Lia that she is likely to be discovered eventually. He reports recent raids, possibly by the Venda people, who may be planning a larger attack.

Walther brings out some of Lia’s favorite foods, which she’d forgotten how much she missed. He warns her that the Scholar and Chancellor of the kingdom are looking for something she stole, and asks what it was. Lia admits she took a gold box containing two ancient texts, one of which is from the Venda people. Walther encourages her to attempt translating them when she has time. He adds that she should keep practicing with her dagger. Finally, Walther announces that his wife is going to have a child, and Lia realizes how much she is missing by being gone. Before her brother leaves, she asks if he has heard of Mikael and his whereabouts. Walther doesn’t recognize the name at first, but after a brief description, he remembers and reveals that Mikael goes from town to town using and leaving women. Lia is shocked and has no idea how she might tell Pauline.

Kaden follows Lia into the woods and sees her with Walther. He immediately assumes that Walther is a lover and becomes enraged and jealous. Rafe is close behind, and is clearly upset by the discovery as well. The chapter ends with a long verse from The Last Testaments of Gaudrel, as a woman tells the story of a massive storm and a princess who “found grace” within it.

Lia wants to tell Pauline about Mikael. She doesn’t want to break her heart, so she decides to tell her he died instead. Kaden finds Lia at the inn and confirms that the man he saw was actually her brother. Lia stares into his eyes and notices how vulnerable they make her feel. Throughout the evening, Lia tries to act normal, but Pauline can sense something is off and finds her in the stables later that night. Lia goes there to find relief and answers. She cries as she talks to her donkey for comfort until Pauline suddenly appears.

Rafe is sure that Lia has a lover and that he cannot trust nor fall for her. He reminds himself that they are from different worlds. Rafe drank until he decided to follow Kaden into the woods after Lia, where he saw her with her brother (presumed lover). Tonight, he sees Lia go out to the stables and follows her again. He watches from a dark corner as she cries and talks to her donkey, and then listens as she tells Pauline that Mikael is gone.

When Pauline falls down in a state of shock and sorrow, Rafe swoops from the shadows and picks her up to take her back to the inn. After, Lia asks him to stay a while, but Rafe refuses and goes. Lia spends the night watching over Pauline, who is angry with her. Lia realizes that she knew something was wrong with Mikael when they passed the graveyard, and wonders if she has the gift after all.