Page 71 of Dark Princess: Shadows

The thought sent a warm flutter through her stomach.

But why would he want to court her? He knew nothing about her, and given how she looked, it couldn't be a physical attraction.

Perhaps he was doing all this on Annani's behalf?

The thought cooled her rising hopes.

"Good morning." She forced a smile. "What have you brought?"

"I come bearing gifts." He pulled a box from his pocket and opened it. Inside were two earpieces like the ones he wore. "These are for you, so you can understand what people who don't have a teardrop are saying."

When she reached for them, he shook his head. "Let me do this for you. They mold to the shape of your ear, so it's important to insert them properly the first time."

Morelle nodded. "What about when I want to speak to others? Does everyone have earpieces?"

"No." He looked down at his teardrop. "This should work in reverse as well. I will check with William, whose lab makes these things. If it does, I'll give you mine." He pulled one of the earpieces out of the box. "May I?"

"Yes, of course."

His fingers were very gentle as he inserted the device in her left ear, and as his hand brushed over her cheek, Morelle felt tingles on her skin.

"How does it feel?" he asked.

"It's comfortable, but I can't hear anything on that side."

"That's because I didn't activate it yet." He pressed on his teardrop and then tapped her earpiece. "Can you hear me now?"

She laughed. "I hear you talking in Kra-ell in this ear and your language in the other. It's so strange."

He lifted the other earpiece, and when she turned her head to allow him easier access, he put it in her ear, waited a moment, and then tapped it as he had done with the first one.

"How is it now?"

"Perfect. I hear Kra-ell in both ears." She touched the devices gently. "Do I ever take them off?"

"They need recharging every other day or so, but they don't need long. You can charge them while you are in the shower, and by the time you are done, they will be ready."

She looked confused. "How do they charge?"

"Simply put them back in the box, and then put the box on a charging circle." He pointed to one on the bedside table. "You can also carry the box in your purse or pocket and only put them in when you need to talk to someone who doesn't speak Kra-ell and doesn't have a teardrop device."

Morelle looked down at the gown that Gertrude had provided. "I don't have a purse or a pocket."

"Yes, you do." He took a step back and pointed at the bags and boxes he'd carried into the room. "I got you nice things to wear. I'll leave them beside the bed and ask Gertrude to help you get dressed, and some of them have pockets. The purse, though, isstill in the cart. I just brought a small sampling for you to choose what to wear today."

When she just gaped at him, not sure what she was supposed to say, he chuckled. "It's a beautiful day outside, and I can't wait to take you out of here so you can enjoy it."

The prospect of going outside without veils or suffocating robes sent a thrill of excitement through her. She couldn't wait either.

"Thank you so much for the clothes and for everything you are doing for me. I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you."

Brandon reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips for one of those gentle kisses that made her heart skip. "Being with you is my reward. I don't need any repayment other than that."

"Why? You don't know me. What if I am a terrible person?"

His brow furrowed. "You are not terrible. Why would you say that? Is it because of all the stupid people on your planet calling you and your brother abominations?"

Morelle hadn't even thought of that. She was doing her best not to think about that vile world. "I didn't say that I was terrible. I said that I might be, and you would not know."