It did take some getting used to. And Iona was doing her very best to get used to the idea of knowing that yes, they succeed. Before actually living through it herself. But it was difficult, with Adamant so fresh. The choice she had been forced to make. The life she had had to sacrifice. Because she couldn’t do it herself. She wasn’t expendable. Not with the Anchor on her hand. She’d made the choice. Sentenced someone to what was in all likelihood certain death.

And doing her best to hide all of that from Dorian. He’d already dealt with that. Dealt with her. He didn’t deserve that twice. She wasn’t sure how well she was managing that, though. Not with how closely their living arrangements were.

“Probably, yes,” she said with a smile. “Especially because I feel like this could take a very long time.” Teasing, just a little.

“Which I enjoy. It gives me something other than my job to fill the time.”