Garten brings Alex to the Delphic castle. Alex meets his father, King Delphic, for the first time in many years. Reveling in capturing Alex, Garten traps him in the castle, making sure he can't escape. Tory and Neal, still in the Last Kingdom, work out a way to get back to everyone else and, possibly, save the day using the now found spellbook.

While Neal and Eli continue to fight, Tory begins to learn why Neal is so angry and resistant to getting the spellbook.Jake finds a painting which will take him to the Delphic Kingdom. He and Bryna decide to travel through it, since it seems to be the quickest way to get to his father and stop his plans.

Lilia convinces Neal and Eli to go get the spellbook from Zahava's cottage. Neal is initially reluctant, not sure what will happen. Tory sets out with the two men, a bit surprised that she must, due to her possession of the story-quilt.Forest and Alex get themselves into the Delphic city, but without any money. Not quite sure what to do, the two of them wander around the city, towards the castle, trying to figure out a way in.While exploring Hildegarde, Jake and Bryna find the library.

Norlis reveals to King Delphic why he interrupted his interrogation of Neal. In speaking with Seth, Jake learns why Neal seems to be the only imp in existence and how important Neal is to the whole story. Seth tells a story about what happened after the kingdoms were bound together.

Making their way through to the Delphic Kingdom, Alex and Forest try to figure out how to get into the castle. In the new kingdom Tory becomes frustrated after a fight between Neal and Eli leads to sulky silence. Once getting them up and moving, Tory runs ahead and meets a woman in a small nomadic village who reveals a unique and useful secret.

Alex and Forest find a picture which can take them to the Delphic Kingdom.Tory, Neal and Eli escape into a new kingdom, followed by a Talpid.Jake, Bryna and Seth make their way into Hildegarde, where Jake learns more about his ancestry.

Alex, Forest and Marina make their way back to the tower in the Inland sea. Tory comes up with a plan of escape, allowing Eli, Neal and herself to get to a completely different kingdom. Jake is joined by Bryna and Seth on his journey back to the Delphic kingdom.

Jake decides to go to Hildegarde in order to find a way to get to his father without confronting him. Tory learns about the uses of a story quilt.Neal flashes back to his initial deal with the Queen of Westover.

Alex convinces Forest and Marina to take him out of the Cloud-Jumper Kingdom Tree, by talking with them about his dreams. Jake gets to the village and meets up with Karen, Paul and Bryna. He learns about the Talpid attack, and the destruction of Bryna's troupe. In the Delphic kingdom, the King explains to his captors what he plans to do with the spell that Neal originally started.

Tory, Eli and Norlis rescue Neal from King Delphic, only to find themselves betrayed. Jake stops for the night outside Hildegarde and has an argument with the former Queen of Westover. Seth shows up in order for the spell to work, but finds Jake unwilling to accept whatever his ancestor tells him to do.