As Margo and Eliot fight for their place in Fillory, they set in motion a plan that may just give them back governmental control while also convincing the Fairy Queen to hand over the sixth key. After discovering Tick's bounty on their heads, the former High King and Queen of Fillory attempt to take back their thrones from their former advisor. To do this, Fen, Margo and Eliot first turn to Fray in hopes she can summon the Fairy Queen -- who may or may not be willing to help them in their endeavor. After already having given up part of her community's protection in freeing the enslaved Earth fairies, the Queen isn't looking for another risky deal. Instead, she promises them assistance with the sixth key and their throne rise if they can insure her people's safety. This leads some brainstorming with the help of Julia and Josh that launches Fillory's first democratic election for ruler, with Eliot launching his own campaign to Margo's dismay. The team and Tick constantly attempt to one-up each other right until voting day when it's revealed that the people and creatures of Fillory have chosen Margo -- after her lovely conversation with Fray's bearfriend -- to be their first elected ruler. As celebration, Eliot pledges his loyalty to Margo and the Queen gives her the gift of a fairy eye. 

Back on Earth and eager to uncover what awaits them in their final step to returning magic, Quentin, Alice, Julia, Kady, and Penny all play their part in uncovering the secrets of the Castle of the Gods. Alice returns to The Library to seek out info about what the castle holds, but instead is given the task to contain magic in a single orb as soon as it is turned back on. In order to do that, she'll need Julia to give over her god-ly powers, which Alice (and a spying Penny), are hesitant about. When Quentin finds out, he confronts Alice and her decision to help give the control of all of magic over to The Library. Meanwhile, Julia must face her rapist Reynard after Penny and Kady suggest asking him about the Castle of the Gods. They find him working as a pizza delivery driver who hasn't lost all his powers (thanks to Hades) or his egotistical, violent ways. After interrogating and being somewhat harassed by him, Julia, Kady, and Penny get their answers, leaving Reynard with a small reminder of his fall from grace.