15. Morelle

15

MORELLE

B right morning sunlight spilled across the polished stone floor of Annani's entryway as Morelle adjusted the ankle straps on her sandals. Brandon stood nearby, keys to one of the village's electric carts dangling from his fingers.

"Are you sure you don't want to ride?" he asked. "It's quite a distance to the clinic."

"I want to walk." Morelle straightened, smoothing the fabric of her dress—a flowing blue sundress that Brandon claimed matched her eyes perfectly. "I need the exercise." She smiled. "Walking is much easier than the torture sessions Gertrude puts me through on the Pilates Reformer."

"Perhaps, but you can take a break any time you want." He glanced at his watch. "If we want to make it in time for the ceremony, we can't even stop on the way for a quick rest. I will have to carry you on my back." The grin that spread over his face indicated that he found the prospect enticing rather than bothersome.

Not that she would ever allow him to carry her. Not unless she collapsed and couldn't take another step.

She gave him a look that made him chuckle and raise his hands in surrender. "Alright, I won't push it. But remember that the offer stands in case you need it. Don't try to be a hero and impede your progress."

Morelle nodded. "I will push myself, but not to the point of collapse. I've been driven back and forth between here and the clinic enough times to have a good estimate of the distance. I should be able to make it without issues."

"Indeed," Brandon said in an encouraging tone that was just a little insincere. "Let's go. A celebration awaits."

Morelle was excited for Jasmine and the confirmation of her immortality that was about to occur, but she was also a little apprehensive about living with her brother's mate under the same roof.

Ell-rom reported that Jasmine had woken up a few times during the previous evening and the night, and Bridget was going to release her after the ceremony, which meant that she was coming home today.

Their interaction the previous evening had been brief, and Jasmine had been friendly and seemed deeply in love with Ell-rom, but Morelle hadn't been able to assess her personality in the few minutes of wakefulness.

Hopefully, they would get along just fine.

As they stepped outside into the warm morning air, Morelle took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scents of the greenery filling every corner of the village. Everything about this place seemed designed to delight the senses—the colors were vivid, the air was fresh, and the sounds gentle, unlike the harsh winds of Anumati she had grown to detest even though she hadn't known anything else.

Morelle had often thought about the gods living in their grand underground cities and secretly commended them on their good sense. Anumati's climate wasn't hospitable.

In comparison, Earth was how the priestesses described the Fields of the Brave.

As Morelle lifted her face to the sun and closed her eyes, Brandon's hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with her own. "You really like the outdoors."

She opened her eyes and smiled. "Here I do. Back where I came from it was rare that the conditions were hospitable enough for a stroll in the gardens, and I was also covered from head to toe."

A female jogging past smiled and waved. "Good morning!"

"Good morning," Morelle called back after recovering from the surprise.

She was still getting used to showing her face so freely and getting friendly responses from strangers.

They passed the training grounds where several Kra-ell were running in formation, the sound of their synchronized footfalls bringing back memories of watching warriors train from the temple's windows.

"You're doing it again," Brandon said.

"Doing what?"

"Getting lost in memories." He squeezed her hand.

She smiled. "I can't stop comparing everything. Even these warriors seem different than those I saw training back home. The expressions on their faces are more relaxed. I don't know if it's the wonderful weather or the freedom."

"It's the freedom," he said. "That was what motivated me for long decades to produce films and television series celebrating the human spirit and pushing the idea of freedom. But it's a never-ending struggle, and I'm tired of the constant setbacks. One generation of humans fights against oppression, sheds blood, sweat, and tears to earn and safeguard freedom, and the next takes it for granted and gives it up, sacrificing the hard-won rights their parents fought for on this or that altar of propaganda pushed by those who want to take it away. The cycle of naivety and stupidity is disheartening."

Morelle had only a vague idea of what he was talking about because she knew so little of Earth's history. There was only so much Brandon could cram into the days since her awakening, especially since she preferred to spend their private time kissing rather than talking about history and politics.

As they passed by the village café, a woman with blue hair waved at them. "Are you heading to the ceremony?"

"We are," Brandon replied. "I hope we are not late."

"The place is already packed, but I don't think they are going to start without Annani." The woman walked up to them and offered her hand to Morelle. "I'm Marina, by the way. Peter's mate." She smiled warmly.

Was Morelle supposed to know who Peter was?

She glanced at Brandon, but he didn't offer an explanation.

"It's nice to meet you," she said before realizing that the female didn't have earpieces.

To her great surprise, Marina answered in Kra-ell. "The pleasure is all mine, Princess Morelle."

"How do you know Kra-ell?"

The female looked at Brandon with a raised brow. "I guess you didn't tell her about the compound."

"There was no time." His hand tightened on Morelle's hand. "And speaking of no time, we'd better head in."

"Of course." Marina smiled at Morelle. "I work in the café, so when you need a break and want to talk to someone, you can find me here most of the time."

"Thank you. I will do that."

It would be nice to have a friend who did not belong to her immediate family.

Morelle had never had friends, and she wasn't sure what to do with one, but she could start by asking Marina about the compound that Brandon hadn't had time to tell her about.

As they entered the clinic, the space was already crowded with people, and to Morelle's great disappointment, all the chairs were taken. She'd pushed herself on the walk, and even though she'd made it without having to ask Brandon to carry her, she would have loved to get some rest.

Amanda's mate noticed her looking and pushed to his feet, motioning for her to take his place, but before she could take him up on his offer, she was ambushed by a woman with long blond hair.

"I'm so happy to see you up and about, Morelle! I'm Margo." Without warning, she threw her arms around Morelle in an enthusiastic hug.

Startled, Morelle stiffened for a moment before forcing herself to relax. This was normal here, she reminded herself. That was how clan people showed their affection.

"And I'm Frankie," said a short woman with dark hair, stepping forward for her own hug as soon as Margo released her. "And that's Gabi and Ella." She gestured to two other women who were approaching more sedately but with equally warm smiles.

"We are good friends of your brother," the one named Gabi said. "He and Jasmine stayed with us and our mates in the clan's keep, and before that, we journeyed with Jasmine to Tibet and helped her search for your pod."

As emotion tightened Morelle's throat, she turned to Brandon. "Can you please convey a message to them that I owe each one of them a life vow?"

She'd already given it to Jasmine for saving them, but these females were part of the rescue mission and deserved it as well.

"We don't need a translator." Frankie pushed her hair aside to show the earpieces she was wearing. "We all have them. And there is no need for you to vow anything. We're just so happy that you're both okay."

"More than okay," Margo added with a knowing look at Brandon. "The Fates seem to be working as quickly on your behalf as they did for Ell-rom. You've already found your special guy."