"Formally changing House would be quite difficult," she says. "It happens in the case of marriage, but even if things had reached that pass--which I doubt highly--there is no one in Canaan House to officiate."

"I was thinking more of insubordination. We are in a lawless place, and Gideon and I..." She studies the tabletop. "Have a tumultuous past. If it came to a necromancer's duel between Septimus and me, I... don't know what she would do."

"She has proven her willingness to sacrifice. But I do not believe her loyalty stems from House propriety. She is her own creature. If she thought I was wrong..."