Dorian shifts into a mouse to infiltrate Morath, where he discovers Maeve conversing with Erawan.

Aedion’s armies arrive at Orynth. They’ve lost all hope at victory over Morath’s extensive forces.

Maeve reveals her true identity to Erawan and offers to ally with him, now that the people of Doranelle have rebelled against her after receiving Aelin’s condemning letters. Maeve offers her spider handmaidens to Erawan’s army, to be possessed by Valg princesses. Erawan reveals his plans to bring his brothers, Orcus and Mantyx, back into this world. After leaving Erawan, Maeve becomes aware of Dorian and traps him.