Alptraum and Rosalind return home from dinner and discuss the particulars of restoring Melusine's damaged heart. The procedure will be unpleasant and dangerous, but it must be done. Rosalind goes down to the lair to prepare while Alptraum goes to fetch Snow, whom they hope will be able to soothe Melusine during the agonizing experience.

In an hour the three meet up in the lair. The first part requires Alptraum and Rosalind to transfer as much energy from the land as they can into Melusine; and the fastest way to do that us through sex … of a sort. Alptraum is shadow-linked to Melusine, and Rosalind is linked to the land. When they join the path is open and the energy of the land flows into the Shadow Dragon. The experience is enjoyable, but exhausting.

The second part of the ritual begins; Rosalind uses the torc and Melusine's true name to restrain the Shadow Dragon and make her solid enough for Alptraum's task. By the end of the second part, Melusine looks like a bound, female, steel dragon.

The third part of the ritual begins and Alptraum gives his flesh over to the Barsunala and becomes the wraith in charge of ferrying the dead. He approaches the bound Shadow Dragon and splits her sternum wide. The Wraith's hands go on, one carrying the new heart, and one that grasps the old. The transfer begins … and Alptraum experiences Melusine's life. He also discovers that he has a change to change her … for the better if he desires. The possibility is beyond tempting and yet … he chooses to leave her as she is. It takes some time, but eventually he is able to transfer all of her essence and the new heart takes hold in the shadowy mass. Alptraum removes the broken one and the wound closes. The old heart is offered to Rosalind. She takes it and Melusine is released from her bonds