Page 74 of Dark Princess: Shadows

Brandon hadn't known such a program existed, but he was certainly getting it for Morelle. "I will." He looked at his princess. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." She let him pull her up and then wrap his arm around her waist to support her.

"I can carry you to the cart."

She hesitated, and for a moment, he thought she would agree, but then she shook her head. "Is it right outside?"

"It is."

"Then I can make it." She turned to her brother. "I'm moving in with you and Annani today."

"I know. Annani told me."

Morelle frowned. "Was she here?"

He chuckled. "No. She texted me." He lifted his phone. "Brandon needs to explain how this thing works and get you one."

"I will do that as well." Brandon led Morelle out of Jasmine's room, and Gertrude opened the front door of the clinic for them.

Brandon didn't know what he'd expected Morelle would do once she saw the sky and the lush greenery of the village, but it hadn't been this silent wonder.

It tugged at his heart.

She was like a caged bird seeing the outdoors for the first time.

47

MORELLE

Morelle lifted her gaze to the sky, which was an incredible shade of light blue and was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily overhead. It was like a dreamscape, or how the Fields of the Brave were described in hymns.

On Anumati, the thick atmosphere and their giant red sun had tinted everything in shades of red and amber, and the strong winds had battered at her robes and everything else, dictating that just the sturdiest survived, whether it was grass, trees, animals, or people.

Here, the sun was small and golden, and it warmed her face with gentle rays so unlike the humid heat she remembered.

Instead, a soft breeze played across her skin, carrying scents she couldn't identify but that made her want to breathe them in deeply. The air itself felt different, fresher somehow.

Brandon's arm around her waist was steady and strong, his touch both grounding and thrilling. No one had ever held her like this, with such care.

"Earth's sky is beautiful," she whispered. "No wonder my mother wanted the Kra-ell to settle here. This is like the Fields of the Brave but without having to die first to get here."

Brandon's arm tightened around her. "Many of the Kra-ell perished. Only a few pods survived, and the others are missing, with their occupants presumed dead. I'm so grateful that you are alive and that we found you and Ell-rom in time."

She felt him shift, adjusting his hold to better support her as she swayed with the breeze. The motion brought her closer to his chest, and she registered the subtle differences in his scent—something clean and masculine that made her want to lean in closer.

"I hope more will be found." She leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's so quiet here. On Anumati, it's rare for the winds to subside long enough for such calm."

"Is it always stormy there?" Brandon asked.

Morelle nodded. "The head priestess used to say that harsh conditions create tough people, and she was right. The gods solved the problem of heat and humidity by living underground, but the Kra-ell were made from hardier stuff and chose to live topside."

"That they are," Brandon admitted. "They are stronger, faster, and don't need much to survive. Very self-sufficient in the right environment, which this is not. There aren't beasts to hunt in the village, and they have to make do with domesticated animals and synthetic blood."

"They will adapt." She made a step forward. "The Kra-ell pride themselves on their ability to survive where others could not. But this place is more than habitable. Even the gravityfeels lighter." She straightened slightly, testing her balance. "Or maybe that's just because I'm not carrying so much fabric on me."

Brandon's arm tightened fractionally around her waist as she moved, ready to catch her if she stumbled. "Take it slow," he said. "We can discuss all the differences between Earth and Anumati while sitting down."

Morelle turned her face to the sun again, marveling at how it could be so bright yet so kind. Everything about this world seemed designed for life to flourish rather than merely survive. No wonder the people here looked happier than those back home.

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