Five Become Entangled

Tiberius takes Delphine to the home he purchased in Reisling, the town she ran away to, and refuses to let her leave his side. If she runs again, he won’t be able to control what he does after. He’s found her, he’s tasted her, and he’s of the mind to do anything to keep her. Tiberius leans against the door to his- their- bedroom as she trembles in front of him. She’s cold, he can tell from the goosebumps on her arms and legs along with how her fingers curl to preserve warmth in them.

“Are you cold my darling,” Tiberius’ voice is soft and low, he doesn’t want to spook her more.

Delphine shakes her head, “N-no! No don’t come near me.”

He approaches her anyway, “Now don’t be like that, you need your health. Soon Austerus Luscinia will be full of people every night. Almost every night, at least, there are still some where I wish to selfishly keep you to myself.”

She doesn’t make to move away as he continues approaching and Tiberius knows she must feel the mate bond that pulls at the both of them. He certainly feels it as he wraps his arms around her and her shivering immediately dissipates. Tiberius kisses the crown of her head before lifting her to take to bed. Delphine fights him as he places her down, no doubt thinking he will try to ravage her again, but he smiles lightly at her.

“Fear not, song bird, I am simply placing you somewhere warmer while I get out our pajamas,” Tiberius leans back to look at the doe-eyed prey fear that resides in her. “And please try not to run, I have guards outside the door, the windows, and everywhere else you can think to escape to.”

Delphine gulps nervously and nods, staying still while he gathers pajamas for them. He allows her, even, to step behind a changing screen even if he thinks they shouldn’t have to be bashful around each other. She is still warming up to him, after all. Tiberius feels his heart in his chest at the sight of her in a long sleeved nightgown of ivory satin. She’s a saint come to bless him. Her innocence will be his undoing, he just knows it. Tiberius pats the spot on the bed next to him and despite her hesitance, he can see the exhaustion in her eyes. Delphine gives in, just as he thought she would, and lays mechanically next to him.

Tiberius tucks her under the blankets and pulls her in close, her small voice reaches his ears, “How did you find me? Do… do my parents know where I am?”

“No, your parents don’t know. I found you because unlike them, I know you. I know the things you like and the people you enjoy being around. They only think of you as a doll who sits pretty and never uses her energy for her,” Tiberius sighs at the smell of her strawberry blonde hair. It smells like lily flowers and honey. “They would never think to check some run down city in a failing arts district.”

Delphine says no more, just nods and pulls the blanket closer to her face. Tiberius is at least glad she isn’t fighting him, but he doubts this will be her last attempt at running. For now, he enjoys her in his arms and he feels as if he will sleep the best he has in his life now that Delphine is in his arms.

Tiberius is awoken by a whimper close to his ear and all his senses are on high alert, only for the teary face of an asleep Delphine. She must be having a nightmare. He smoothes back her hair to kiss her forehead and hold her closer.

“Sleep, my darling, you’re safe with me,” Tiberius dabbles in singing and he does his best to croon her to a more peaceful sleep. It’s some lullaby his older sister would hum to him.

As he sings, his mind turns to his sister and what she would think of him now. They were homeless growing up with no money to their name, so the moment his sister was old enough, she sold the only thing she did have- her body. Tiberius remembers the bruises, cuts, and bites all over her each morning she came home to the little one bed motel room they shared. He wanted to protect her, but she’d shake her head and say that it’s her job to protect him, as the older sister. He was a teen when she passed in early twenties- beaten to death by an alcoholic regular who couldn’t take no for an answer.

Tiberius sucks his teeth as he finishes singing while Delphine has calmed back down in his arms. There is more than one reason why he hates the man her parents tried to marry Delphine off to. Not just for about to take what is rightfully his, but also for taking away the only person who cared for him.

His mind swirls with darker thoughts, he will get back at Corvus for everything he’s done. For everything he will do. Tiberius spent time building a pack for himself, building wealth, and planning for all that is his.