With the breakfast table cleared away, Nova regained her spot on the carpet. She took the blanket in her arms and held it tight to her chest as she stared down at her bandaged thigh.
Feyre took a spot a foot away from her and frowned as she looked her over. She did need to bathe, but a new fear arose as she took in the state of her hair.
"It's not just a few tangles," she glanced over at Rhys and then Mor before carefully reaching to touch her hair, "it's completely matted. I didn't think it was this bad from afar, but…"
Feyre must have touched her hair too much in the wrong spot because Nova's head whipped around. With an open mouth, she lunged for her wrist.
It happened so quickly.
Rhys pulled Feyre to the side and took her place, blocking Nova's teeth with his hand like a shield.
The glint in his eyes, the expression he wore…Rhys would not tolerate Nova biting, a stage they would have thought they'd not have to deal with. Suddenly, her mate wasn't just the protector of Velaris or her best friend; he was the father to her child, and he, just as she would, do his best to teach Nova right from wrong.
"You will not bite your mother." He didn't yell, didn't so much as raise his voice, but his tone was rigid with authority.
If looks could kill, Rhys would be gasping his last breath.
Nova glared at him, nostrils flaring, but he didn't drop his gaze as he offered her the washcloth from the previous night.
"If you need to bite something, you bite this."
Nova looked down at the washcloth and snagged it from his hand but didn't bite it. No, she tucked it into her blanket as if burying a treasure.
"I wonder what she did with my shoelace…" Cas mused out loud, and Az let out a soft sigh.
Feyre swallowed. "Madja said it's important that she bathes and we re-dress her wounds."
"We're going to need more tonic," Mor cringed, "I don't see how she'll let us."
Rhys managed a small, amused smile as he watched Nova try to look through the blanket's fabric. "Well, this might help at least," he snapped his fingers, and her hair turned from a massive web of knots and mats to smooth and silky hair that was much longer than anticipated, "it'll still need to be washed, but at least it won't be as painful."
"It'll be fine," Cas shrugged, "maybe if you just have the tub ready she'll get the idea. She's likely bathed in a stream before, at least. What's the worst that could happen?"
A few minutes later, Feyre and Mor had run warm water in the tub, complete with soap and luxuriously thick body wash that smelled like fresh apricots. Even if she didn't use the shampoo, the body wash would still at least freshen her hair.
Nova's bathroom was the same one Feyre had had when she'd first arrived at the townhouse; she had the same room. It was a perfect size and just far enough that she had her own space but allowed them to know if she needed any help.
It had the best view of Velaris, and Feyre was adamant she had that.
Rhys guided Nova into the bathroom. It seemed she would only follow if he asked and held his hand out, but Feyre wouldn't complain if it got her in there.
Feyre gestured to the tub. "You can wash away the dirt," she said, pointing to Nova's fingernails.
Looking around the room, Nova seemed immediaely curious about everything there.
Maybe this would be easier than she thought; if she figured out how to use the items, it would only be a matter of time until she became more self-sufficient.
"We'll be right out here." Feyre smiled and closed the door to let Nova bathe.
Just as she did, Nesta's voice floated through the halls.
Feyre's eyes widened as she sent a look at Rhys, then looked over at Cas, Mor, and Az.
"No one is meeting her yet. She needs more time to adjust and doesn't need the added stress. Mor, Az, stay up here in case Nova needs anything," she said, looking at Cas. "You are going to help keep my sister at bay."
Cas smirked and shrugged. "I think I can do that."
Rolling her eyes, Feyre left the bedroom and quickly descended the stairs to the main sitting room.
It wasn't just Nesta standing there.
Elain was there, and Lucien too.
Great.
With an easy swoop of his hand, Rhys took hold of Feyre's and smiled as they stopped before the group.
"You're all safe." Elain let out a sigh and smiled. "We've missed you…"
"Where's my niece?" Nesta asked blatantly.
Feyre managed a smile. "Glad to see you too."
"She isn't taking visitors right now," Rhys replied, "and that boundary will be respected."
Amren, who had arrived and now lounged on the couch, smirked. "Seeing what kind of competition you have for most powerful princess?" She took a long drag of her glass, the blood staining her teeth.
Nesta glared at Amren before looking at Feyre. "All this time of saying you want your family close and together, and you won't let us see her?"
"She isn't Elain," Feyre responded, meeting Nesta's narrowed gaze.
Elain, the flower she was, couldn't be further from Nova than night and day. Whatever Nesta's motivations, she wouldn't be influential in Nova's life. Not yet, not while Nova was still learning such fundamental basics.
Cas snaked an arm around Nesta's waist, but she smacked his hand away.
"And you," she glared at him, "I saw you for two minutes, and then you were gone."
"Miss me?" Cas quirked a grin.
Nesta snarled. "Not in the slightest."
Lucien shifted his weight on his feet and pursed his lips awkwardly.
"I'm very glad you're all back safe." Lucien nodded, followed by a small, genuine smile.
Feyre couldn't help but smile then and nodded. "It's good to be home."
CRASH. BANG. THWACK.
Everyone tilted their heads back to look at the ceiling as what sounded like a leaky hose…exploded?
Glancing over at the sound of squeaky footsteps on the stairs, Az appeared and paused. He was drenched, his hair dripping where he stood.
Azriel stared at them all as Rhysand's grin grew in amusement.
"We need more towels…"