Page 72 of Dark Princess: Shadows

"I have good instincts, Morelle, and no warning bells went off when you were still asleep or when you woke up. I enjoy being with you."

"Why?"

He chuckled. "Get dressed, and I will tell you during our tour of the village. Deal?"

Morelle narrowed her eyes at him. "You don't know why. For some reason, you are drawn to me, and you don't know whatthat reason is, so you are going to use the time I need to get dressed to think it through."

"You are wise, Princess Morelle." His eyes danced with amusement, but he didn't deny it. "I will leave you to get dressed before we get into further discussion and prolong our departure even further." He strode to the door with fluid grace, closing it softly behind him.

She sighed. He was such a confusing male. But hadn't the head priestess said that males were impossible to understand?

Morelle had thought that the female was being bitter and spiteful, and she had been—the priestess had not liked anyone—but perhaps her words were true.

Moments later, Gertrude walked in. "Brandon told me that he got you some clothes." She glanced at the packages with curiosity. "Let's see what we've got here."

Morelle watched as the medic pulled the first item out of one of the bags and held it up for her to see.

"This is a very nice dress, but it looks too fancy for everyday wear." Gertrude draped it on the bed over Morelle's legs. "Now, let's see what's in here." She pulled out two items from another bag: a pair of soft gray pants that looked comfortable and a white blouse from a fabric similar to the pants but a little more delicate.

"I like these," Morelle said.

"Yeah, I like them too." Gertrude held up the two garments. "It's a little much for a ride through the village, but if you like it, go for it." She draped them over the bed and then leaned down to open the two boxes that Brandon had left on the floor, producinga pair of gray shoes that matched the pants. "Those will do just fine. They're flat and will look great with the slacks." She put them next to the bed. "Where do you want to get dressed, here or the bathroom?"

"The bathroom." There was a mirror in there, and Morelle wanted to see what she looked like in these new garments.

To her surprise everything fit perfectly, as if crafted specifically for her body. The pants were so wide that they looked like a long skirt, and the blouse's fabric felt wonderfully cool against her skin.

"You look stunning." Gertrude helped her to stand upright in front of the mirror. "What do you think?"

Morelle didn't know what to say. She had never worn anything like it nor had she ever even seen anyone wearing such things. The white blouse had short sleeves and a tie in the front that was part of it. Gertrude fussed with it a little until she was satisfied with how it looked, and then she tucked the blouse inside the wide waistband of the pants.

"Your waist is so tiny," Gertrude said. "It must be your Kra-ell half."

"Is it considered unattractive?" Morelle asked.

"No, it's perfect. The pureblooded Kra-ell are too thin, but you just look like a runway model."

Morelle frowned. "I must have misunderstood. Why would a model run away?"

Gertrude laughed. "Forget I said that. Are you okay with walking out of the room with my help, or do you want me to get you the wheelchair?"

The medic had shown her the chair with wheels she could use for mobility if her legs grew tired.

"I would rather walk."

"As you wish." The medic wrapped her arm around Morelle's middle. "Lean on me, Morelle."

46

BRANDON

When Morelle emerged from her room, a grin spread over Brandon's face. Even leaning heavily on Gertrude, she looked like a new female in the outfit his shopper had chosen. She looked elegant, refined, and, most importantly, like someone who belonged in this era.

"You look beautiful." He moved forward, offering his arm to take over from the nurse. "Thank you, Gertrude. I've got Morelle from here."

The nurse smiled knowingly. "Enjoy your tour of the village."

He had not yet told Morelle that she wouldn't be returning to the clinic, and Gertrude didn't know either. He should tell them both so they could say their goodbyes. But first, Ell-rom needed to see his sister transformed into a modern woman.