Chapter 17 - After Summary

In Chapter 17, the next morning, Alina tells Mal all about the Darkling's plans. They head up into the mountains, and Mal decides they will go after the stag in Tsibeya themselves to give Alina a chance. They descend from the mountains and realize it is Butter Week, when nobles have cakes and sweets paraded around and handed out to the poor and the peasants. But they are taken by robbers, who realize that Mal is a deserter. Alina uses her training to fight the robbers, and to free herself and Mal.

In Chapter 18, the spring is dawning as Alina and Mal head into Tsibeya. Alina wonders if claiming her amplifier will free her and everyone else from the Darkling. Alina tells Mal that he must kill her if it comes down to it, to prevent her from being used...