Regan raised her eyebrows at Torsten as he spoke, mouth set in a hard line. Well, she supposed there was something to be said for candor—even if it was entirely inappropriate and insubordinate. Maybe even sarcastic? It was difficult to tell. The Huntsman said or indicated nothing, glaring gaze turning to Rhedara as she offered up her explanation of events. Another admission of guilt. Fine. Now that it was out in the open they could deal with it.

“A temper is a luxury neither one of you can afford,” Regan shot back, though she recognized that observation was saturated with irony, given her own notorious tendency to go off the rails. She was doing well not to lose her temper now.

“Officer Abbott has served his kingdom in battle. He’s bled with his countrymen and seen the light leave their eyes for good,” Regan spat, turning her fury on Torsten now, “I’m entirely disinterested in what you believe his motivations to be. Abbott has demonstrated his patriotism. He’s suffered the cost of battle and knows what it takes to be prepared for it. You think yourself a defender of your fellow soldiers? I guarantee you, when they’re facing down the enemy, it’s Abbott they’ll be thanking—not you.”

Regan rounded on Rhedara then, getting rather close to the witch’s face. “And you. I’ve carried a witch not much older than you are as her guts spilled out of her stomach. She died for her kingdom, so if you think I give a damn about your cut lip, you are sorely mistaken. There is no room in Nevermere’s military for the weak—nor those who would use witchcraft for their own petty vengeance. If you disagree, I suggest you resign right here, right now.”

She held her eyes on Rhedara for a moment, fists clenched at her sides. Regan valued male soldiers beyond measure, but it was true she held witches to a higher standard. They had the power of dark magic in their bones. And with that came a greater burden of responsibility. After a moment, Regan backed off and crossed her arms once again.

“You’ll be reporting to Officer Aldrich Abbott and Officer Abbott alone until such a time he decides to release you. You don’t take a day off unless he permits it. You don’t sleep a wink unless he gives you says you can do so. You will follow his every order without hesitation or complaint - and if I hear otherwise…” A wolfish growl crept into Regan’s voice before she swallowed it. She let that be warning enough.

“Am I understood?”