Page 68 of Dark Princess Emerging

They walked toward the waiting cart they'd used that morning. Brandon was sure she was tired, but he wasn't going to take anything for granted anymore.

"If you prefer, we can walk. Someone else will take the cart."

"I would," she smiled. "I might need a rest or two on the way, but we have plenty of time before Amanda is due to show up at Annani's with more tests for me."

He hesitated. "You are already tired, and after the long walk, you will be exhausted. Do you really want to push yourself like that before attempting to use your power again?"

Morelle let out a breath. "You're right. I don't want my performance to be compromised. Let's take the cart."

His relief for having gotten such a minor concession out of Morelle was too great, but it was proof that she was reasonable and willing to listen.

After helping her to the cart, he drove over the village paths, going slower than usual due to the pedestrians who were out in force this time of day.

"It's busy out here," Morelle commented. "Where is everyone going?"

"The gym, the café, to visit other people. Most of those who work from home are done by this time. Immortals are much faster than humans and get more done in the same time frame."

"Interesting." Morelle smiled and waved back at someone.

When they reached his home, he helped her down from the cart, and for a long moment, she just looked at the front yard and the house's façade.

"It's beautiful," she said.

He chuckled. "You don't have to say that. My house is almost identical to Annani's."

"Her house is beautiful as well." Morelle took the hand he offered and let him lead her to the front door and then inside. "It's so big." She turned to look at him. "And you live here all alone?"

He nodded. "For now. I hope that soon you will join me."

"It's large even for two people."

Morelle hadn't said no, and relief flooded him. She was open to the idea of moving in with him.

"Do you want me to show you the rooms?"

She nodded.

As they toured the four bedroom suites, she checked out every bathroom and walk-in closet, and when they were done, she stopped in the middle of the hallway. "Would you consider having Ell-rom and Jasmine move in with us? Your house is huge, and I would like to have my brother close by."

Brandon's initial reaction was an immediate, visceral no. He'd lived alone for centuries and was so used to having privacy that the idea of sharing his home with anyone who wasn't his mate made him acutely uncomfortable.

But then he remembered his earlier resolution. This was exactly the kind of situation where he needed to compromise to accommodate the wishes of his mate. If he wanted to enjoy the bliss of matehood, he had to give up some of the privileges of bachelorhood.

As the saying goes, he couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

"That could work," he said, trying to inject enthusiasm into his voice. "There's certainly enough room, but weren't you concerned about living with Jasmine and having to share your brother with her?"

Morelle shrugged. "I like Jasmine. She's okay. Besides, someone will need to cook, and I assume it's not going to be you."

He laughed. "Good point, but don't say that to Jasmine. She will think that you are only inviting her and Ell-rom to stay with us because of that."

"She said so herself. I'm just repeating her offer to you to sweeten the deal."

Chuckling, he pulled her into his arms. "It seems that I've been outmaneuvered."

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DROVA