As the day brightens, Della returns, bustling into the room as if nothing happened.
Since I fled the carnage scene, I’ve been worrying a fingernail and scratching at the streak of dried blood left on my neck. Now I stare at her in disbelief as she starts making my bed.
“Did you see him?” I finally burst out. “Did you see the bodies?”
“It’s all been cleaned up already,” she clips out the words, not looking at me.
“How can you pretend nothing happened? Three men came to kill me last night, and he?—”
“He stopped them, as he was bidden to do.”
“You…” My eyes feel hot all of a sudden. “You don’t care?”
“Of course I care!” She whirls on me, her cheeks flushed. “I’m terrified for you, have been ever since they brought the werewolf here. Am I glad he killed them all? I’m thrilled. I’m so glad that the creature that was brought to end your life is actually guarding it.”
“Then, will you have a bath drawn?”
She blinks. “A bath? Of course, my lady. I’ll have the servants draw you a bath right?—”
“Not for me.”
“Then for whom?”
“Haven’t you guessed? For Valen, of course. He’s covered in blood.”
Her gaze hardens. “I’ll have Kier take him out and throw a few bucketfuls of water on him.”
I hide a flinch. “I thought you liked him.”
“Then reason reared its ugly, bald head. He may have saved your life twice, but he’s still a wolf. I’ll take care of this, my lady, don’t worry about it.”
“Why is a bath out of the question?”
“Didn’t I say you are sheltered? You never let a man get naked inside your rooms, my lady. People will talk.”
I place my hands on my hips. “I’m about to leave. And the people here want me dead.”
“Listen to me. People will talk, and the rumor might reach your future husband, who could send you back. Or hurt you. Trust me.”
A shiver racks me. “My future husband would never do that.”
“Men do many things we think they’d never do. We have to protect ourselves, because they are physically and socially stronger than we are. Remember that, and keep your reputation clean as a cat’s paw.”
My face burns. “Nobody would dare accuse me?—”
“They are already talking about you and your new bodyguard.”
I stare at her. “What? But I didn’t choose him?—”
“That doesn’t matter, my lady. Don’t you understand?” A desperate light enters her eyes. “You will journey with him. A horny, savage animal. Alone.”
I jut my chin out. “I’ll have manservants with me.”
“Great. More men.”
“Gods, I can’t win this,” I whisper, “can I?”
“You have to. Look at me. This world is harsh. We women have it the worst, but we will change things around one day. For now…” She grips my wrist. “You have to try and win.”
