Over their mental connection, Ianthe assured the man she'd make it up to him, that she hadn't expected the magic attack at all. She just decided to pivot the game she'd been playing from one thing to another. Those from the Third House were nothing if not adaptive.

"Tell me who put you up to this," she said out loud to the man who could only really manage a growl and acted as if she was getting responses via mental link. She continued having a one-sided conversation.

"Cesare? No, ok, good. Was it--?" A pause. "You can't be serious. Him?" She rolled her eyes. "For fuck's sake, when I say someone can can drag me away for knifeplay whenever they want, that's not meant to be literal."

Putting a meaty arm under ger shoulder, she helped the man stand who finally managed a broken growly, "Too long," and tapped Ianthe's collar with a claw.

"Yes, I am aware that I've gone too long without a Dominant," Ianthe replied with an irritated sigh. "I was enjoying the conversation and she's new--"

He cut Ianthe's words off with a growl. "Too long! What if--" Another growl and he pointed at Peony. "Claim her," he growled, blood slipping down his chin from the fangs cutting into his lip from the talking. Despite his general bearing, there was no anger in his eyes as he looked at Peony. Zadza was zadza.

"Enough. I don't want it if she doesn't. Don't give me a fucking obligation Dominant. I don't need protection, and you need to go purge your zadza before this gets worse. Go on."

With an annoyed growl, he lumbered off and Ianthe sighed, rubbing at her neck. "You good?" She asked Peony.