Touraine and Aranen go to Balladaire to meet with Luca and pursue diplomacy as official ambassadors of an independent Qazāl. A young girl named Ghadin is sent as Touraine's page.
Duke Nicholas Ancier plans to hold a Trial of Competence, legally usurping the throne from Luca. Luca's friend Bastien has been helping her research the lost Balladairan religion. Luca finds Bastien murdered outside the palace. Luca and her friend Sabine du Durfort suspect that Nicholas is behind Bastien's death.
Nicholas offers Touraine a new contract which acknowledges Qazāli independence, but gives harsh terms and continues to extract tribute. If Touraine refuses to sign it, he threatens a reconquest of the former colony. Luca learns that Balladaire's lost magic required child sacrifice to ensure good crops. She is unsure if she should continue to research the religion if the price is so high.
Luca's carriage is attacked. Ghadin is separated from Luca and Touraine. Ghadin meets Fili, a carpenter's apprentice and member of the Fingers. The Fingers are a revolutionary group who want to overthrow the Balladairan monarchy. Fili has access to Balladairan magic; she can make plants grow at the cost of her own blood. Fili helps treat Ghadin's injuries and returns her to the palace guards. However, Ghadin is given to Duke Nicholas as a prisoner.
Nicholas breaks Ghadin's arm and threatens to torture her. Touraine agrees to sign his modified treaty. Luca goes to Nicholas and agrees to abdicate in exchange for becoming minister of Shālan affairs and also for Ghadin's safety. Luca secretly plots to poison Nicholas with Touraine and Sabine.
Ghadin tells Touraine about Fili and the Fingers. Luca publicly announces her abdication. Fili stabs Luca multiple times. Touraine is able to access Shāl's magic to heal her.
Nicholas's young son Tiro drinks the poison and dies instead of Nicholas. Luca's guards arrest Nicholas as part of a coup. Luca is crowned queen of Balladaire. She proposes to Touraine, who accepts. Luca's reign immediately faces dual threats: the return of a plague known as the Withering, and an uprising in the city of Samra’.