Page 51 of Dark Princess Ascending
"Think about it." He kept stroking her back. "In a crisis situation, you could potentially redirect power where it's needed most. I don't know that you could, but it's a possibility. Imagine pulling some of Annani's power to fuel Cassandra so she could blow up an attacking aircraft. Your power is not parasitic—it's complimentary. You're a conduit and an enhancer and maybe even a little bit of a seer."
That was a stretch, and he didn't know whether Morelle could redirect the energy or just absorb it into herself, but she needed encouragement and a new way to think about her ability.
"I hadn't thought of it that way."
"Of course you haven't. You've been too busy catastrophizing." He smiled to soften the words. "Amanda can help you understand and develop this ability properly."
"I know, but I'm scared. What if she's not as understanding and supportive as you are?" She smiled, which was a great improvement over the worried looks she'd given him so far. "You are a little biased."
"So are Amanda, Annani, Kian, and the rest of your family. They all want what's best for you, and they will accept you the way you are. All of you—including the power-borrowing ability that you've dramatically labeled vampirism."
Another reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "You're making fun of me."
"Only a little." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Please don't ever think that you have to hide parts of yourself from me. I want all of you—the good, the bad, and the complicated."
She chuckled. "You are too good to me."
"Not at all. I'm just the right amount of goodness."
As music from the wedding celebration drifted toward them on the evening breeze, Morelle leaned her head on his chest and sighed. "We should head back," she said, though she made no move to leave his embrace.
"In a minute." Brandon tightened his grip on her. "This feels too good to stop."
"I know. But we will be missed, and Annani might send a search party after us."
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. "I'll just have to explain that I stole you away because I'm a selfish male and wanted you all to myself."
"That's a good explanation. I think she'll be okay with that."
"I'm sure she will." He pressed another kiss to her forehead. "You are absolutely adorable when you work yourself up over nothing."
"It wasn't over nothing, and I am not adorable," she protested. "I'm fierce and dangerous."
"Mmhmm." He pulled her close again. "Terrifying.A real monster. But you are my monster, and I'm not sharing."
She melted against him, and he felt the last of her tension drain away. "You are terrible."
"I know."
31
GERTRUDE
The music swelled around Gertrude and Rob as they swayed on the dance floor. It had been a wonderful ceremony, unique in that the Clan Mother had united a mortal and an immortal, something that was unheard of in the clan.
Watching Marina and Peter together, it was easy to see that they were meant for each other, and Gertrude had to wonder why the Fates were being so cruel to Peter.
Why had they found him a truelove mate who couldn't be his lifelong companion?
She consoled herself that the Fates worked in mysterious ways and that they might have a plan for Marina that no one could even guess at the moment.
As Rob once again tried to steer them toward where Margo was dancing with Negal, Gertrudeshifted her attention to doing the opposite and pulling in another direction.
It wasn't that she harbored any lingering romantic feelings for Negal, but being around him still made her uncomfortable, stirring up old memories of being cast aside the moment he'd found his true mate in Margo.
She would have to get over that discomfort, though.
Now that she and Rob were talking about moving in together, family gatherings would be inevitable. Rob would want to host his sister and her mate for dinner or movie nights, and Gertrude would have to find a way to enjoy Negal's company without letting her resentment ruin the family dynamic.