Chapter Thirty-One: Visitors. The Queen in White. Mercy. Woody and Claudia. Leaving Empis.

Summary

• The main character, Charlie Reade, is still recuperating in the room with billowing curtains, weeks after the battle. He enjoys daily views of the shattered moons Bella and Arabella, despite warnings from his nurse, Dora, about letting in the "night vapors."
• While he is healing, he has various visitors, both living and dead. Iota, a deceased character, visits him and they discuss the ways in which both Charlie and Iota were poisoned, and how Iota believes Charlie was brought in to save them from the rule of Flight Killer.
• Charlie also receives a visit from Claud (Cla), who acknowledges that although he would have beaten Charlie in a fair fight, Charlie's clever use of the fighting stick saved him. Claud leaves with a friendly warning that Charlie won't be able to fight again with his injury.
• One night, Charlie is frightened by a visit from Kellin, the Lord High, threatening that Charlie will soon perish from his lingering infection. This is followed by a visit from another threatening ghost, Petra. Dora tends to him afterward, assuaging his fears.
• Charlie receives visits from various other characters, including Doc Freed, a fellow survivor of the battle. Doc Freed assures Charlie that his infection is healing and his nightmares are sure to end soon.
• Percival, another worker, visits Charlie and provides an update on the reconstruction efforts going on in Lilimar. The streets are being cleaned, buildings are rebuilt, fountains are active, and an old trolley system is slowly being brought back to life.
• Charlie is visited by the new Queen, Leah, who initially wanted to hide her scarred and disfigured face. They talk about their adventures, Leah's guilt over killing her brother, Elden, and about Charlie's future. Leah tells him that he belongs in his own world and that if he stays much longer he may not be suitable for either world.
• The last line “When there is love, scars are as pretty as dimples, I love you, Leah,” conveys Charlie’s deep affection towards Leah despite her physical scars.

• The protagonist recounts a visit with Jaya and Eris, fellow prisoners from Deep Maleen, discussing recent events and avoiding past traumas. He also reveals that a party of giants allied with Cratchy pledged loyalty to the new queen.
• Jaya admires the protagonist's pack and its contents, including a solid gold doorknocker gifted by Claudia and Woody. The protagonist is to depart from Lilimar in two days, pending his health.
• Eris openly asks the protagonist to sleep with her. He agrees, losing his virginity to her.
• The protagonist is later visited by Claudia and Woody, who thank him for his deeds. When confronted about their passivity amid past tragedies, Claudia admits they were paralyzed by fear and calls the protagonist the "promised prince."
• Overcoming his anger, the protagonist reconciles with Claudia and Woody, accepting their apology and gratitude. When offered a reward, he asks for a sledgehammer.
• The protagonist reflects on his departure from Lilimar, describing it as a deeply memorable moment after his imprisonment. He is carried in a cart, waved off by the grateful population, and accompanied by his surviving mates from Deep Maleen and a multitude of butterflies.
• At the city gate, he receives farewell from Queen Leah, who gives him a garland of Red Hope. The protagonist becomes emotional during the farewell, as he considers his journey and the triumphant end.