Page 70 of Dark Princess: Shadows

Brandon froze mid-reach for another box. "I hadn't thought that far ahead," he admitted. "I was just going to take Morelle on a tour of the village. Let her feel the sun on her face and see the ocean from the lookout point. She's never felt the wind in her hair or watched a sunset without layers of veils between her and the world."

"A tour of the village sounds like a lovely idea." Kian rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "But since there is no reason for her to stay in the clinic after being disconnected from all the equipment, the tour should end at the Clan Mother's home. I will call my mother and inform her that Morelle is coming so she can instruct her Odus to prepare the room for her if she hasn't done so already."

Brandon's heart clenched. He'd gotten used to spending every possible moment with Morelle, reading to her, talking to her, and just being near her, and the thought of being forced to be apart from her made his chest ache.

Would he be allowed to visit?

Kian must have seen the worry in his eyes because he put his hand on his arm. "The Clan Mother expects you to be with Morelle throughout the day, and she's happy to host you. But since you are not officially a couple, I don't think Morelle will be comfortable with you sitting by her bedside or sleeping on the floor next to her. You'll need to go home at night."

"Of course," Brandon agreed. "I'm grateful to be allowed to spend such long hours at the Clan Mother's house."

He could pretend to leave and sneak back in at night. The automatic security shutters would be a challenge, but perhaps one of Annani's Odus could be persuaded to help.

He'd find a way. He couldn't bear the thought of being away from Morelle for that long.

They made one more trip to collect the rest of the packages, and by the time they finished loading everything, the golf cart was packed.

"Enjoy your tour," Kian said. "I'll see you later at my mother's house."

45

MORELLE

Morelle finished the last spoonful of the sweet concoction Gertrude had said was fermented milk and fruit, savoring the unfamiliar taste. Everything on Earth was new and different, from the food to the clothing to the way people interacted, and so far, she liked it much better on Earth than on Anumati.

In fact, there was no comparison.

She felt liberated.

Then again, all she had seen so far was the inside of a clinic, and what she knew about the world outside these walls was what Brandon had told her.

She couldn't wait to see it.

She was scraping the bottom of the glass to get the last of the fruit and fermented milk when a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Brandon." He opened the door just a crack. "May I come in?"

"Yes. Of course." She pushed the rolling table away and straightened the blanket around her.

"Good morning, Princess." He walked in, arms laden with bags and packages and a big smile lighting up his face.

When he approached her bed, he leaned down as if to kiss her cheek but hesitated, hovering close but not touching his lips to her face.

Morelle held perfectly still, not wanting to discourage him. She did not know Earth customs, but Annani had kissed her cheek, so maybe it was a common way of greeting.

She wouldn't mind Brandon kissing her cheek or even her lips.

Oh, who was she trying to deceive? She wanted him to kiss her right on the lips and know what it felt like. She had never been kissed by a male like that before, and as her mother had said in her dream, it was long overdue.

When he pulled back without completing the gesture, disappointment fluttered in her chest. Was there something wrong with her? Or maybe Earth customs prohibited him from kissing someone who wasn't his relative?

At times, it seemed as if Brandon was trying to impress her or to make her like him, and she wondered if that was considered courtship.

According to the head priestess on Anumati, Kra-ell males competed for females by trying to impress them with their fighting talents through dueling. Other forms of showmanship were elaborate war dances and songs.

Brandon told stories, dedicated his time to her, and was now providing her with clothing. Was that constant attention and care his way of courting her?