[And there were the last few pieces Ianthe had been missing into place. Because Ianthe knew who Wanda roomed with. Alina could see them slotting into place right there in Ianthe's eyes with some of the other things she'd picked up. Like Alina's admittance that the General had shadow powers yet she never once mentioned any attempt by him to remove the Fold. Well now it made sense. Most of it, at least.

She stared at Alina for a long second.]

And you're fucking him. Alright.

[And with that statement with absolutely zero judgement in her expression or voice, Ianthe moved on from Alina's choice of bed partners. The goal was always worth the cost; that must have been a price Alina had to pay for her goal. Or she was just fucking stupid, but that was Ianthe's own jealousy talking and she'd been suppressing that for months.]

Wanda's magic works on a very different principle than mine does; we fought while I was transformed. Kirigan might learn the basis of how wards work by studying them, but that doesn't make him capable of undoing them. Especially the wards of a lyctor.

[Golden phalanges twitched as Ianthe resisted the urge to reach for Alina"s hand. No touching. No necromancy, she reminded herself.]

For you, Alina, I will apply the wards as often as you wish. I am not convinced you will need it done more than once a week, but whatever makes you feel the safest.