Touraine and Aranen go to Balladaire to meet with Luca and pursue diplomacy as official ambassadors of an independent Qazāl.

Nicholas offers Touraine a new contract which acknowledges Qazāli independence, but gives harsh terms and continues to extract tribute.

Luca learns that Balladaire's lost magic required child sacrifice to ensure good crops.

Luca's reign immediately faces dual threats: the return of a plague known as the Withering, and an uprising in the city of Samra’.

[1] Martin Cahill praised both the plotting and characterization, stating that "Clark employs an expert level of finesse in the machinations of each of these complicated, complex women.

"[2] In a review for Locus, Leslye Penelope writes that "Clark wields a deft hand, painting characters who are nuanced, scarred inside and out, and deeply human."

Penelope wrote that "fans of romantic fantasy will yearn for more fireworks in the chemistry between Touraine and Luca", but overall praised the complicated romance between the two characters.

Flanagan criticized the inclusion of Fili's chapters and the meandering subplots, feeling that The Faithless was inferior to its prequel.