Page 58 of Dark Princess: Shadows

When the doctor emerged once again, Brandon intercepted Bridget before she could disappear into the restricted area where the lab and diagnostic equipment were housed. "What's going on, Bridget? Why are you agreeing to Morelle's unreasonable demands?"

One of the doctor's red eyebrows shot up. "Why would you think that they are unreasonable?"

"Because she's not ready to get out of bed on her own and have all the monitoring equipment disconnected. She just woke up." Brandon glanced toward Jasmine's room, lowering his voice so Ell-rom wouldn't hear him. "What if she has a relapse? She can't be ready when she couldn't even speak when she first woke up. Ell-rom had to help her when she wanted to touch his head because she lacked the strength to lift her arm on her own. What could have changed in the span of a few hours?"

Bridget shifted her weight, hand finding her hip in a stance he recognized as her 'teaching moment' pose. "Morelle is half goddess, and her healing ability is phenomenal. Think of your own body and what it can fix in minutes, let alone hours. Unlike Ell-rom, who woke up when he was still emaciated, she woke up after her body had finished rebuilding her organs and her muscles. At first, she was stiff and unaccustomed to moving, but she has improved rapidly. She walked to the bathroom, leaning on Gertrude, of course, but she did it without falling or needing to be carried. She also showered, with Gertrude's help, brushed her teeth, and is now resting in a fresh gown on fresh sheets."Her voice softened. "When a patient is so determined to move forward, I prefer to take a risk and let them push themselves rather than hold them back. Never underestimate the power of the spirit."

"Wow." Brandon pressed a hand to his chest, feeling genuinely chastened. "I stand corrected. How is she doing now?"

A knowing smile curved Bridget's lip. "Clinging on like the fighter she is. I took blood samples and a few measurements, so that kept her awake, but she stayed alert even after I was done. She's holding on to wakefulness by her fingernails. I'm getting her something to eat."

That was another surprise, but Brandon wasn't going to repeat his mistake and ask if it wasn't too early for Morelle to consume real food. If she was no longer being fed intravenously, she needed to get nutrients some other way.

"Can I see her now? Do you think she wants me there?" The words tumbled out before he could stop them.

"Definitely." Bridget patted his arm. "I think you are the reason she is pushing herself so hard."

That caught him off guard. "Really? What makes you think that?"

"Simple. Imagine the roles were reversed, and you were in that bed while an attractive woman was keeping you company. You are grateful and intrigued by the stranger who dedicates so much time to you, but you feel insecure and unkempt about your appearance. All your hair has fallen out, and it feels like your mouth is chewing on dirt. Wouldn't you want to get all the tubes taken out, get clean, and maybe put some cologne on before you let her see you again?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess I would."

She chuckled. "I know you would. Now get in there and put on the charm."

"Yes, ma'am." He offered her a playful salute.

As Brandon approached Morelle's door, he remembered at the last moment that he should knock before entering.

"Who is it?"

Wow, her voice was so strong and confident now.

He opened the door ajar so he wouldn't have to shout. "It's me, Brandon. Can I come in?"

"Yes."

When he stepped in, he was struck by the transformation. The mechanical chorus of monitors was gone, replaced by peaceful quiet; the bed had been adjusted to a semi-reclining position, and the slightly lemony smell he had gotten accustomed to had been replaced by the clean scent of soap and laundry detergent.

Most remarkable, though, was Morelle herself. She was alert, upright, and more present than before. Her big blue eyes were clear and shining with intelligence and resolve.

"Hello, beautiful." He flashed her one of his practiced smiles, the kind that had charmed countless Hollywood executives and starlets alike. "Do you feel better now?"

Her lack of an answering smile sent a tendril of worry through him.

"Yes. Thank you," she said, sounding formal.

"Is something wrong?" He moved closer to the bed, studying her face for clues.

"I don't think so." Her eyes fixed on his mouth. "I just remembered something you said when I was still locked inside my body and couldn't respond."

The phrasing sent a chill down his spine. "What do you mean by locked inside your body?"

"I was aware for a long time," she said. "I could hear you talking and understand all the stories you told me, and I could hear the medics talking, but I couldn't understand them because they didn't have teardrops to translate what they were saying. I couldn't respond, I thought. My body did not obey my commands."

He took her hand. "I'm so sorry. It must have been terrifying."

She didn't pull her hand out of his, and he hoped it wasn't because she lacked the strength to do so, but because she enjoyed his touch.