Dion's cheer fades in the wake of Anabella's mention. Cold iron grips his chest as it always does, and sets his teeth to edge. But he's long-developed a method for dealing with his stepmother in any capacity, and employs his favorite fantasy of running her through like a stuck pig on his halberd.

It helps.

He sets the wine bottle on the ground to reach out and grip Joshua's shoulder. "She holds no more power over you- and never will again. You are free to sing as often and as loudly as you like."