Celaena keeps her suspicions about Nehemia to herself, unwilling to confront her friend without more proof.

Celaena wakes on Yulemas morning and is delighted to find a giant bag of candy—a gift from Dorian. Dorian arrives shortly after with another present, the silver-gold puppy from the kennel, which Celaena names Fleetfoot. Dorian leaves, promising to visit Celaena after the Yulemas masquerade that evening. Realizing that the masquerade is a perfect opportunity for the murderer to wreak havoc, Celaena decides to infiltrate the ball against Chaol’s orders to keep an eye on everyone. Later, when Chaol escorts Celaena to temple for the Yulemas ceremony, Celaena—comparing Chaol’s manner with her to Dorian’s—is surprised to be disappointed that Chaol might not find her attractive. 

At the Yulemas ceremony, children dressed as gods bring gifts to members of the congregation; whoever receives a gift is said to be blessed by that particular god for the coming year. The child dressed as Farnor, God of War, gives a miniature sword to Duke Perrington. A girl dressed as Deanna, Goddess of the Hunt and Maidens, gives Celaena a golden arrow. Celaena tries to pass the gift to Chaol, but he insists that she keep it. Celaena notices that he looks at her differently.