Jesper confesses to Inej that he inadvertently caused the ambush that nearly killed her in Six of Crows. His gambling led him into debt with Rollins, and he told one of the Dime Lions that he was leaving town and would return with the money. Inej teaches Jesper the Suli saying “This action will have no echo” (338), meaning that he must make amends by not repeating his mistakes rather than by apologizing. She tells Jesper that he has a wound and needs to find a way to heal himself, not just temporarily numb the pain with gambling.

Jesper goes to his father and tells him the truth about his gambling addiction and criminal activities; however, he also says Colm should have allowed him to use his gift. Colm argues that Jesper’s Grisha abilities are “a curse” that “would have killed [Jesper] the same way it killed [his] mother” (342). Jesper retorts that he is dying slowly and walks off.

Jesper mistakes Kuwei for Wylan (who still looks like Kuwei) and kisses him. He recalls how “Wylan’s unexpected courage” and “wide-eyed, generous way of looking at the world” led his physical attraction to bloom into “something more” during the Ice Court job (344).