After receiving word about events on Salusa Secundus, Valya brings Theodosia to the Imperial House to help manage the situation. Meanwhile, Desmond makes a confession to Emperor Corrino, Tula reluctantly enlists Lila for a vital mission, and distrust swirls around Keiran Atreides, the sword master for House Corrino.

On Wallach IX, young Valya Harkonnen promises Mother Superior Raquella that she'll protect the Sisterhood by putting one of their own on the Imperial Throne. Thirty years later, on Salusa Secundus, Valya works to combat a new threat to her long-awaited plan for a marriage between Princess Ynez-Arat and a young Richese prince.