Vesper had been invited to come with Hadrian to his estate in an effort to perhaps give Alys someone else to talk to. Perhaps speaking to a witch would be of benefit to the young widow. Vesper wasted no time. She planned to be as helpful as she possibly could while she was here. To Alys. To her children. To Hadrian.

She had arrived that same day and went searching for the King's Witch. It wasn't hard to find her. All she had to do was follow the sound of the children's voices and laughter. She made no move to hide her approach, intentionally walking along the dead leaves and branches so that her approach would be noticed. As she reached Alys she sat down beside her.

"You have very lovely children," Vesper told her, looking out at the kids rather than directly at the woman. "Such a beautiful mix of you and their father." She had known Logan long ago, before he'd ever met Alys, back when he, Hadrian, and herself were all stationed on the same ship.

The first twig breaking behind her had her head whipping around, a growl rumbling deep in her chest in warning. It was low, something easily brushed aside as a distant sound or a rumbling stomach. Yet she was prepared to find a threat behind her, instead her eyes landed on a female she knew by name, but not much more. She almost jerked back, startled as the woman kept her even pace and then slowly sank to sit beside her.

Scarred hands lifted and tugged the cloak over her head, hiding the damaged skin as her back straightened a bit more. Then she had a flitting thought; perhaps Hadrian had forgotten he offered his estate to Alys and the twins, and now she was intruding. Her jaw tightened and yet it fell slack at Vesper’s words. Her eyes softening as she looked at the two children, catching the flash of a dimple on Adda’s cheek.

Vesper didn’t have to say Logan’s name for her stomach to twist painfully. Because she saw him in the twins too. Especially when their eyes met hers. “Thank you,” she finally spoke, her chin tipping slightly to look at the collected items. “Apparently both of us had strong genes.”

Vesper didn't have to be particularly observant to notice the tension that Alys felt at her presence and she didn't blame her. Her own steps were uneven in a hint of the false leg that lay beneath her dress. She didn't try to convince Alys not to hide her injury, it was still early and of course she would still be very conscious about it. They sat in silence for a few moments just observing the children with softness before Vesper spoke again.

"I'm sorry for what you're going through," she said, still not looking over to Alys but their conversation only carrying between the two of them. "Hadrian, Commander Usher, told me what happened. I offered to come here because I thought you could use some more feminine conversation and company. The bond between witches can be quite healing," she explained.

Her eyes cut to the side, staring at the sharp features of the witch beside her as she mentioned Hadrian and… “he told you?” What exactly had he said? How much had he shared with Vesper… with someone Alys had little trust in only because she didn’t know her well on that level. Dread swam in her stomach at the thought of what might happen if Cassian even thought that Alys had exposed him and his new female…

Her jaw set tight once more under her hood. Why couldn’t things be easier? Why did she have to hide… to stay quiet… to exist when she was supposed to be the strongest witch at Cassian’s side. Yet she wasn’t at his side. Not anymore. A dangerous thing that made her now sleep with a dagger under her pillow, most nights her fist tightly gripping it.

But her words of a witches bond being healing made her almost laugh. Yet… her head suddenly snapped towards her. Had she been doing this wrong all along? “We are stronger in numbers.” Her words breathless. She had tried to extend the olive branch to Regan… and had been turned down. “What did Hadrian tell you?” She asked, finally turning to look at Vesper from the safety of her hood.

Vesper could understand why Alys would be uncomfortable with the idea that she might know something about what happened, especially when she was here so she could essentially stay hidden. She didn't know Vesper in the slightest and had no reason to trust her. But Vesper had never been the type to beat around the bush or say too many flowery things, she felt it important to give all the facts as often as possible.

"Yes, we certainly are," she agreed with Alys. Witches were stronger in numbers, yet so many tried to do things on their own. In a society where men ruled in spite of the women being born with more power, it was in the way they were nurtured to almost subdue that power in order to cater to men. Like the subconscious collective had been raised with those beliefs. Yet Vesper had believed those beliefs to be wrong for some time now. Now that she had any evidence to show for it. She wasn't even part of a coven herself. Maybe she ought to change that.

As Alys turned to look at her, Vesper did the same. Her attempted a soft expression though her sharp features typically make that more of a challenge. She didn't lie to Alys but told her exactly what she knew. "I know that not long ago you were attacked by Regan Lassiter when she decided to try kill you. I know that the King is aware of what happened though while you're here, Regan remains at his side and I know that you don't want the Commander to do anything about it," she stated.

"What I would like you to know, though I understand that trust is not given freely but earned, is that I am immensely loyal to the Commander. We have known each other for many years and I am here at his disposal to help any way that I can. I am here to help you, Lady Delaney, in any way that I can."

Alys’ visibly paled with the information that Vesper handed over to her. She knew that the woman wasn’t lying, hadn’t over heard but had been told by Hadrian Usher those things. Because Hadrian had been the only one she had breathed a word to. The details of why she was attacked wasn’t there, because she hadn’t said exactly why to him. And here a stranger… someone she only knew in passing… was telling her something that should’ve never been shared from anyone else’s lips but her own.

“You cannot repeat any of those things. Ever.” Her voice was hushed, firm. “He shouldn’t have told you any of it.” She wasn’t going to lie. It would mean she was calling Hadrian a liar and she couldn’t find it in her to do that either. “I can’t explain all of it. But it happened. It’s over. And I’m…” her hand reached up to push the hood back.

Her skin was patches of different colors. Her hair was cropped short, only just now started to curl on the ends and the patches that had been burned off coming back with a slightly lighter color than the rest. She knew she could’ve been missing parts of her body and face, that Akagi’s healing and tent probably saved her from that. But she looked almost like patchwork now. “I’m this. I can’t hide it forever, and—“ she let her gaze fall to the items from the twins again.

“Eventually all will see this. The rumors will fly. None will be correct I’m sure, and all will lead back to questioning about what happened at the military ball. And I’m supposed to be quiet.” The King’s Witch. Lay low. Be quiet. Become stronger… alone. “You can’t say a thing to anyone.” The threat was there, lingering under her tone.

Vesper could understand why Alys would be upset and did not hold that against her. She didn't react in the slightest when Alys finally showed her scarred face, certainly not with disgust or surprise. She also heard the threat in the woman's tone and it only increased her respect for her.

"I have never had any intention of telling anyone, Lady Delaney, I assure you. I am here because Hadrian just wants to help you, in any way that he possibly can, I understand the delicate nature of the situation. I am at your disposal, Alys. I want to help. So use me. In all the ways you can think of. I am here to serve you," she said with pure sincerity.

"You are a warrior for what you have gone through. Those scars are proof that you survived. I want to be here to ensure that you not only survive what happened to you but that you come back stronger for it. I want to see you thrive."

Alys was taken back by Vesper’s response. It’d be seen in her face as the witch asked her to use her, that she was there for her. To just name it and she’d do it. When was the last time she had heard someone ever say something like that?

“What must I pay in return?” She asked. “I know everything comes at a cost, we as witches know that.” Summonings didn’t just come about because they asked nicely. “What is your cost?” Was it not for Alys to pay… but Hadrian?

It was clear that Alys had not expected her response and Vesper wasn't surprised really. People rarely knew what to expect from her. They assumed much about her based on her history, her appearance, her demeanor, or the sound of her false leg as she walked but very few people ever got to know who she truly was as a whole. Most people, in fact, did all the could to avoid her. She was rather 'scary' to most people.

Alys was right though, of course there be a cost, it was the nature of life. "The cost has already been paid," she answered vaguely. What felt like a lifetime of loyalty and friendship built with Hadrian under his command had culminated to this moment. The cost was all that earned loyalty now being paid with this act of service, to help Hadrian as he helped Alys. "Though I would hope we can build a friendship over time. You're a powerful witch in a powerful position and I think we could do some amazing things together if we wanted to," she said with the first hint of a smile on her lips.

Dark eyes stared over at her, a silence between them for a moment. The price had been paid already. Hadrian. It was the only thing that made sense, and she felt such a strong emotion that tears pricked her eyes. Enough that she had to look away from Vesper. Finding the figures of the twins still collecting and running through the tree line.

Vesper spoke again, and Alys turned to catch the faint smile. Her face still filled with something akin to gratefulness and concern blended together for a long moment. “I’d like that.” A friend, a woman at her side. The strength in numbers she had forgotten with the title of ‘King’s Witch’. Something she realized then, that all of them had forgotten. A strength in numbers. After a moment, she offered, “The werewolf. She’s… always there. But she’s mine. In case you heard any wild rumors from the military ball. I can’t decide which is my favorite that I’ve heard. Mostly that I’m a man… even though I stood naked in front of way more people than I ever thought I would in my life.”

Vesper's smile grew ever slightly as Alys agreed that she'd like that. Vesper would too. She didn't have many people she could actually call friends but maybe this could be a welcome change for her as well. If there was anyone she thought she could vibe with then it was certainly going to be Alys.

She was a little surprised when Alys opened up about the werewolf inside her but she was grateful for it. She could imagine she'd been hiding it for a while now and be free from the secret might be a relief in a sense. Of course Vesper had a million questions about it. She actually let out a small amused huff at the rumor of Alys being a man. People could come up with such absurd ideas in order to help make sense of their world.

"How long has it been affecting you?" she asked. "Have you been cursed as long as the men?" she felt like it was unlikely but what other reason could there be? All anyone knew about the werewolves was the curse of Sarilla.

Her lips curled at Vesper’s huff. It was a rather funny one. Alys… a man. That one had been a popular one amongst those not at the ball. Or too far from the action to properly see. Some claimed it was a trick of the eyes; that another man had been changed but had imploded and that why only Alys was left behind. Still hadn’t heard a good reason she was naked though…

“For a while now,” vague. And while she was wanting to give Vesper a chance, habits died hard. And it wasn’t just her secret. She wondered if Hadrian had explained what he knew about Regan’s abilities. At least… the ones he knew of. Alys was most definitely still protecting her and Cassian… because of his request. “Long enough that I can control it.” Except a few years ago when she was almost decapitated… by Regan.

The fire might have been about dominance on the surface, but Alys knew Regan would kill her without a second thought. Her fingers flexed, looking at them. Cassian, Regan, Logan, Grant, Hadrian… now Vesper, knew about this in more than just the surface level. More than she could count actually just knew that they saw her turn into a werewolf and back. She had always watched her children closely, unsure if they’d be the same as her, but so far… they seemed unaffected.

Vesper didn't mind the vague answer. She couldn't blame her either. The two had only just met and Vesper's connection to Hadrian, while helpful, didn't automatically bring her into Alys' circle of trust and friendship. Nor did she expect it to. She would have been rather disappointed if it had been that easy if she was being honest.

She had to admit though that it was interesting the way that Alys has said she could 'control it'. No male werewolf could control himself once turned. What made Alys different? She was certainly interested to learn more but she wasn't about to push. Not so soon.

"What happened to you is terrible, Alys, we know that as well as you do. I hope you don't think this is in any way your fault. You have people who are willing to fight for you. You have people on your side. And I have no doubt that you can come out stronger in the end. Don't let your fear or shame or insecurity or whatever else you may or may not be feeling keep down for too long. You're far too good for that."