"They didn't stab you or scratch you with anything?" he asked, trying to remain impervious to her beauty.
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"The fae use poisons and darts that can cause people to do their will. Turn around so I can check your back."
Delphi turned, and Tenebrys lifted her hair to inspect her neck and behind her ears. Her back was patterned with scars.
Tenebrys touched them. "What happened here? Who did this to you?"
"Which ones?" Delphi said with a slight shrug. "Most of them were from working as a servant. There was one place that Narcisse worked, where I got beaten by the cook a lot because she thought I was too pretty and lazy. I wasn't. She just hated me."
"And Narcisse did nothing?" Tenebrys demanded.
"He didn't want to cause any trouble and lose his post. He always did, eventually," Delphi said, her voice emotionless. "It was a long time ago."
Tenebrys carefully lifted her over the tub's high edge and placed her in the water. Delphi made a soft hissing sound.
"It will only hurt for a moment," Tenebrys assured her. "Trust me. I spent many a bath soaking in this healing mixture."
"But your shifter healing is so powerful. Why would you need to?"
"It's different when you're a cub. Slower. I got hurt a lot trying to train and be better and stronger than everyone else. My mother would lecture me and make me sit in this," he replied with a smile.
He hadn't thought of those days in so long that it felt like a story he had once heard.
Delphi skimmed her fingers over the water. "She sounds like she was a good mother."
"The best."
"What was her name?" Delphi asked.
"Maela. She would have liked you," Tenebrys replied. He opened a drawer in the counter and found a silver comb. He placed it on the lip of the tub for her. "She never used to put up with any of my shit moods either."
"Tenebrys? Why are you being so nice to me?" Delphi asked, drawing her knees up to her chest.
Tenebrys needed to work up to telling her that she was his mate, so he crouched by the tub so they were at eye level.
"I almost lost you last night because of my own stupidity and anger. I have been so furious at your parents for so long that I have treated you unfairly. I can't hate you anymore, Delphi. I don't have it in me to even try. Letting you sit in my bathtub is the least I can do to make up for acting like an asshole," he said. He didn't dare reach out and touch her pale face. "Soak here for a while, and afterward, there are things we need to talk about."
"I have questions too. The fae said some things last night, and I'm... I'm scared, Ten," she admitted. The use of his nickname in such an easy way hit him deep. He did cup her cheek then, his paw taking up most of her face.
"I'llneverlet them hurt you, Delphi. No matter what. They will not touch a hair on your head."
"Because I'm yours?" she asked.
Tenebrys's heart stuttered. Had he said that to her last night too? Damn the moon and all her power.
"That's right. You live under my roof. You are mine to protect and care for," Tenebrys replied, not wanting to scare her off by telling the whole truth just yet.
"Stay here and rest. I'll go and get you some clean clothes and something to eat."
"Ten? Thank you," she whispered.
Tenebrys paused by the door. "You're welcome, little flower."
Tenebrys hated to leave her alone, but she did need food to help her heal. His dick declared that her having clothing was optional, but he didn't want her to feel vulnerable or unsafe. They did need to talk, and he couldn't handle the thought of being without her at that moment.
Felix was waiting at the bottom of his stairs. His nose and ears twitched.
