One Dark Window

Ravyn leaves Elspeth at the Spindle rooms, and as she prepares for the Equinox feast with her half-sisters, she considers his personality. When they arrive at the feast, they are greeted by Elm, who quickly whisks Elspeth away. As he tries to discern how she earned Ravyn’s trust, they are joined by Hauth, and she is disturbed by his attitude. She finds her aunt Opal and asks for Ione, who is with her father Tyrn and the Rowan King. Before long, Alyx finds and informs Elspeth that he‘s obtained her father Erik’s consent to have her join his table for the feast. When she spies Ravyn, she uses him as an excuse to avoid Alyx and sits at the Yew table. Emory is absent, and before long, the Rowan King arrives. He welcomes his guests, acknowledging how hard the harvest has been because of the Spirit’s mist, and then announces Tyrn provided him with the Nightmare Card and Ione, who used the Maiden Card, is betrothed to Hauth.

Elspeth is upset at Ione’s use of the Maiden Card and betrothal to Hauth. Ravyn calls her out for not admitting Tyrn had the other Nightmare Card, indirectly revealing the Rowan King does not know he has the first Nightmare Card. Weary of lies and vague answers, she asks for the whole truth. Elspeth and Ravyn leave the hall, garnering attention from her stepmother Nerium, and head to Ravyn’s rooms, where he calls for his council. As he concentrates on contacting the others, the Nightmare tells Elspeth to remain quiet and observant, unintentionally revealing he knows how the Providence Cards work. Suddenly, Ravyn quiets her. They hear Orithe Willow, head of the Physicians, and his colleague on the other side of the door, discussing how difficult Emory is to control and how protective Ravyn is of him. They leave, and Ravyn retrieves the Mirror Card for Elspeth to use. She insists on not touching the Card due to her history with the Nightmare, so Ravyn uses it to become invisible.

Elspeth follows the color of Ravyn’s Cards, only to find Nerium calling for her. Drunk, she accuses Elspeth of putting the family at risk, insults her deceased mother, and says her father likely does not care for her, considering he sent her away as a child. She leaves after Elspeth reminds her that her mother’s memory will never be replaced. Ravyn is quiet during their exchange and sympathizes with Elspeth before bringing her to a cellar, where Jespyr, Elm, Filick, and Ravyn’s parents, Fenir and Morette Yew (formerly Morette Rowan), are waiting for her.

Before interrogation, Elspeth is given the option of submitting to the Scythe Card, the Chalice Card—which creates a truth serum—or the Nightmare Card. She follows the Nightmare’s advice and chooses the Scythe Card. Elm uses the Scythe Card to make her feel euphoria and hopelessness, then forces her to hurt herself by slapping her cheek three times. Once he is satisfied she is under his tether, Fenir asks about her childhood and why Tyrn took her in.

Ravyn then asks whether or not Elspeth trusts the team, and she struggles not to give too much away. He asks about her abilities, as he does not understand how she is able to hold her own against him and Elm. She asks the Nightmare for help, as the Scythe Card has no sway over him, and she is again allowed to lie. When Elspeth is asked if she will keep the team’s purpose a secret, she promises truthfully. Ravyn clarifies the team’s purpose: They are collecting a Deck of Cards to save the Rowan King’s would-be sacrifice Emory, since The Old Book of Alders states infected blood is needed to lift the Spirit’s mist. They are currently missing the Well Card, the Iron Gate Card, and the Twin Alders Card, and assure Elspeth that should she help them, she will also be cured of infection. She agrees to help.

Elspeth waits outside the cellar as the council communes. She confronts the Nightmare for not sharing his immunity to the other Providence Cards, but he blames her for not noticing his clues. She eavesdrops on the council: Elm is not convinced Elspeth should be trusted, but the others argue that since Morette used the Prophet Card and saw Elspeth in their future, she is meant to join. Fenir decides Elspeth should be brought to Yew House, and Jespyr proposes they invite her under the pretense that Ravyn is courting her. Ravyn is unwilling at first, but as he finds her beautiful and there are no alternatives, he accepts. The council disperses, and Ravyn meets with Elspeth. He confirms the team’s plan, reminding her that finding the Cards will be dangerous. She asks if she can leave whenever she wants, and while Ravyn assures her that she can return to Opal and Tyrn at any time, the Nightmare warns her about different cages. Elspeth nevertheless leaves with Ravyn.

Before they return to the gardens to publicly imply their courtship, Ravyn takes Elspeth to see Emory. He explains they need to complete the Deck before Solstice because Emory’s magic makes him erratic during changes in seasons. As they approach his room, they discover he has disappeared.

As Elspeth and Ravyn hurry to find Emory, they encounter the Rowan King, who takes an interest in Elspeth. They return to the gardens and see Emory beyond the crowd. The pair are separated by the drunken crowd, and Elm grudgingly saves Elspeth from being trampled. They watch as Ravyn confronts the White Eagle Card-wielders circling Emory, who pickpocketed them. Emboldened by their Cards’ courage, the men come to blows. Elm mentions Ravyn is infected, like Elspeth and Emory are. As Ravyn subdues the men and takes their Cards, Elspeth sees their white color flicker.

While Emory makes fun of Elspeth and Ravyn, she confronts Ravyn about his infection, demanding to know his arrangement with the Rowan King and his magic. Ravyn reveals that while he can use the Nightmare Card, the Mirror Card, and perhaps the Twin Alders Card, he cannot use other Cards—nor can they be used on him. Elspeth’s half-sisters find them, and Elspeth and Ravyn escape by using dancing as an excuse—which garners attention from other members of the court. She tells him that she still doesn’t trust him, even with his admission of treason. When they return to Emory and Elm, Emory quotes The Old Book of Alders’s description (foreword) of the Nightmare Card, which tells her that he sees her Nightmare.