Chapter 3, The Zero Winter, pg. 94-110 Summary

Villanelle tells the story of her own lost wager; the one involving her heart and the Queen of Spades. She thought herself aloof, and love easily controlled, only to find herself a prisoner to her own passion. After nine nights of secret, passionate meetings, knowing all the while that their time is finite, Villanelle is exhausted by her own desire. Unable to face the thought of losing The Queen, Villanelle simply doesn't pursue a tenth night.

In a fit of self-denial, Villanelle marries the man who earlier raped her. True to his word, he takes her on a trip around the world. All the while, Villanelle thoughts return to the Queen of Spades. After once losing her nerve, Villanelle robs her husband and leaves him. For years she works odd jobs on ships...