I froze when I felt her claws trace the side of my face. "I'm sorry that I was late. I shouldn't have left your side." She rubbed my cheek in a soothing manner.
It gave me some safety even though they were still rough from her transformation. I said nothing, only watched the hard planes of her face that were barely recognizable to me.
"I look hideous don't I?" She laughed but it was void of humor. "This is why I never wanted you close. I hate that you've seen me like this. But I couldn't help it. Those men dared to lay their hands on what's mine. I would've preferred to give them a more painful death but—"
"Madeleine," I called softly when she started to get lost in the anger and all that death. "Thank you for saving me."
"But…" I could see her trying to blink back tears. This had to be a very vulnerable moment for her, and I was glad she'd given me the chance to hold her together. "Aren't you scared of me?"
