Meanwhile, back at the House, things are quiet.  Tristan does his best to comfort Insa, saddened over Lucien's departure, but he turns out to be the one in need of comfort when he receives an unexpected visit from his royal advisor, Skokan.  Skokan eagerly tells him that preparations are already being made for Tristan's return from exile, the most important of which concerns collecting eligible girls from all the Known Worlds, from which Tristan may choose a bride.  Still very much in love with Insa, Tristan sends Skokan away.  He turns to Aden for some advice.  Aden tells him that his best bet is it continue living life to its fullest.  All mortal life has an expiration date and it's no different for Tristan.  Tristan, however, is not convinced.

 

The parade of unexpected visitors continues when Quinn and Tristan's mutal friend, Jaan, visits the House.  Jaan warns Tristan that his return is going to come whether he likes it or not.  He urges Tristan to speak out against the law that forbids Shadowmen to change their symbols, allowing themselves second chances at love.  Tristan dismisses Jaan's enthusiasm for rebellion, attributing it to the nature of Jaan's own soulmate who is a rebel fighting against the evil dictations of a religious monarchy in another realm.  Defeated, Jaan departs for Merindar.

 

In the cottage, which Quinn has given Casey as a gift, Jaan is surprised to see the transfiguration.  Casey is frightened by Jaan, unable to conceal his passionate thoughts from her new telepathy, and she exits quickly.  After Casey departs, Jaan celebrate's Quinn's good fortune, calling him the ideal figurehead for his social revolution.  Quinn coldly informs Jaan that he wants no part in any kind of revolution that will never happen; all he wants is to go home.  Jaan insists that no matter what, Quinn's unique situation will lead to debate and dissention in Niflheim; after all, he's achieved what's never been done before, a second chance at love, this time in a permanent situation.  Jaan is eager to spread the news about the event, but Quinn insists that it must be kept a secret for Casey's sanity.

 

Outside the cottage, Casey is visited by Thea, who's been to see the Carvers.  Thea explains that Casey has two choices.  She can remain as she is or else, she can ask the Carvers to reverse the process and restore her to Human.  The only problem, Thea warns, is that once Casey is returned to being Human, she can never be Niflheim again, meaning that when she dies, Quinn will be left without a soulmate for all eternity.  Reflecting both on her passionate longing for humanity and her conviction not to leave Quinn in the straits that Egime left him in, Casey makes her choice.