Part 1, Chapter 16 Summary

Orual slinks into the palace, before the King returns from the hunt. For the first time, she hides in shame from the Fox, who she knows will rebuke her for forcing Psyche. As she eats, he comes to her chamber, praising the gods for bringing her home after a day that has tormented him greatly. Orual conceals her wound as she declares, too fiercely, she had decided while he slept. The Fox accepts the rebuke and asks for news of Psyche. Orual details everything except facing the god. Pressed for details, Orual reveals the plan of the lamp, and the Fox demands what demon made her think of that - what good could have come of it? If a fugitive, her companion will kill her for betrayal or drag her off somewhere. Orual wonders why this had not occurred to her...