Page 94 of Dark Princess Emerging

Brandon had his arm around Morelle's shoulders. "It's okay. You somehow redirected that piece of stone, and he's perfectly alright."

Kian hissed. "I should sue the company that sold us these mantels. There must have been a flaw in the stone, and it would have happened sooner or later independent of the earthquake."

"We should take the whole thing down," Syssi said. "We might need to take them down in all the houses in this part of the village."

"It's only dangerous to children," Amanda pointed out. "Although having a piece of stone land on your foot is no fun, even if the bruise heals fast." She looked at Kian. "Are you going to get contractors in here?"

He shook his head. "Our community service purebloods can take care of this. I'll just need to give them instructions."

Syssi handed Morelle a mug of coffee. "I don't know if that's what Bridget would have recommended, but when I feel dizzy, coffee helps."

"Thank you." Morelle took a few sips and looked up at Syssi. "It's helping."

"Monday," Amanda said, "we'll start a new battery of tests to examine this new ability of yours."

Morelle nodded, but Kian didn't miss the flash of panic in her eyes. It was gone almost instantly, but he'd seen it.

What was she afraid of?

58

BRANDON

Brandon watched Morelle's composure crumbling by degrees as the family fussed over her. Though she maintained a brave expression, he could see the slight tremors in her hands, the way she swallowed repeatedly as if fighting back tears.

"We should get you home so you can rest," he said, deliberately using the word 'home' rather than 'my house.' When Ell-rom and Jasmine started to rise, he added quickly, "You two should stay and enjoy the rest of the evening."

He needed time alone with Morelle. Though his house was sound proofed well enough that they could have complete privacy in their bedroom, even with others present, he wanted her to have space to process what had happened without an audience.

Something about using her power troubled her deeply, and in turn, it troubled him.

Before they could make their escape, Jacki rushed forward with her son in her arms and wrapped Morelle in a fierce embrace."Thank you," she whispered again, then turned to her little boy. "Darius, sweetie, can you give Auntie Morelle a kiss?"

The solemn little boy reached his arms for Morelle with complete trust, and Brandon's heart squeezed as she gathered him close. A tear slipped down her cheek as she held him.

"Be well, sweet Darius," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "The Mother of All Life has protected you tonight, which means that she expects great things from you. You will grow up and be a fierce warrior." She pressed a kiss to his dark hair before returning him to his mother.

What followed was an overwhelming cascade of hugs and thanks from the family, and with each embrace and each heartfelt expression of gratitude, Morelle's emotional control seemed to be slipping further.

There was panic in her eyes he could only explain as the aftermath of Darius's near death. She looked like she was moments away from complete collapse.

Once everyone was done with their farewells, Brandon opened the door and ushered Morelle out with a hand on the small of her back, and the instant they cleared the front door, he swept her into his arms.

"What are you doing?" she protested. "Put me down."

"It's an Earth tradition," he said instead of following her demands, and kept going toward his house—their house now.

She huffed indignantly but wound her arms around his neck and put her head on his chest. "What Earth tradition are you talking about?"

"When a husband brings his new wife to their home for the first time, it's a tradition for him to carry her over the threshold."

Morelle chuckled. "We are not married. I'm not an Earthling, and this is not the first time I'm entering your house. I was there yesterday and today. I even showered in your bathroom."

The hint of humor in her voice was a relief. If she could still tease and banter, she would be okay. On the other hand, her easy acquiescence to being carried indicated that she was drained and lacked the energy to walk—as he'd suspected.

"Our home, our bathroom," he corrected. "Besides, maybe I just wanted an excuse to hold you?"

It might not have started as a romantic gesture or tradition, but he enjoyed playing the part of the romantic hero, and for once, Morelle was cooperating and playing the damsel's part.