Dark Princess: Shadows (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance #89)

44. Brandon

44

brANDON

B randon stood in front of the mailroom's long desk and stared at the mountain of boxes and bags that had been delivered from the keep. Given the long list of charges on his credit card, he had expected it would be a lot, but somehow he'd failed to visualize it.

He picked up several bags and boxes and carried them to the golf cart outside. The clinic was next door to the office building, but he couldn't just bring everything in. There just wasn't enough room. He would have to choose a few items for her to wear today and take the rest to his house.

Now that was an idea. After the tour of the village he had promised Morelle, he could take her to his place. He had a house to himself in the newest portion of the village, which was an indulgence for one person, but he was too set in his ways to live with a roommate. Besides, as a council member Brandon enjoyed certain privileges, like not having to share a residence.

It was too much to hope that Morelle would want to live in his house even if he offered her the primary bedroom to herself, but it would be wonderful if she did.

He sighed and looked at the sky.

The weather was perfect for Morelle's first time outdoors. It was sunny but not too warm, and the gentle breeze would caress her face.

His princess deserved to experience everything beautiful about this world, starting with the simple pleasure of feeling sunshine on her skin and continuing with a luxury wardrobe fit for an A-lister.

"Need some help with those?"

Brandon turned to find Kian watching him with amusement in his eyes.

He adjusted his grip on the boxes. "There are many more inside, and yes, I would appreciate some help."

Kian followed him to the mailroom and whistled. "Are all those yours?"

"Yes. Well, they are for Morelle, but they have my name on them."

"You may have gone a bit overboard." Kian clapped him on the back before picking up a couple of boxes in one hand and a garment bag in the other. "This looks like you bought out an entire department store."

"Morelle needs everything." Brandon picked up two garment bags in each hand and followed Kian outside. "She's never had normal clothes before. All she'd ever worn were ceremonial robes and the suit she wore in stasis."

"True." Kian waited for him to arrange things on the cart before handing him the boxes he'd carried out. "She wouldn't have even known what to get. It was a smart move on your part to hire a personal shopper for the task."

"Yes. I've worked with Melinda in the past, and she is not only very good but also knows what I like. I just hope that Morelle approves."

If Kian had known how much everything had cost he would have rolled his eyes, but Brandon wasn't going to share that information, and he didn't regret spending a small fortune on his princess.

He wanted Morelle to feel like royalty every day.

Not that she was his, but he hoped she would be. He had no idea how to court a virgin half Kra-ell half goddess who had grown up in a temple, so the only thing he could do was to be sincere and let her know how he felt.

That wasn't easy after leading a carefully crafted lie in Hollywood for as long as he had, but it was refreshing to be authentic for a change. He wasn't sure who the authentic Brandon was, though.

Trying it with Morelle would be a journey of self-discovery.

"You know," Kian said as they headed back for more, "Morelle won't know the difference between Chanel and Walmart."

Brandon snorted. "Maybe not, but I will." He paused in the doorway, suddenly serious. "I want her to have beautiful things and feel like a princess instead of someone who had to be hidden away and cover her face whenever she stepped outside her room."

Kian nodded. "So, what's the plan after surprising her with this fashion show? Taking her back to my mother's house?"

Brandon froze mid-reach for another box. "I hadn't thought that far ahead," he admitted. "I was just going to take Morelle on a tour of the village. Let her feel the sun on her face and see the ocean from the lookout point. She's never felt the wind in her hair or watched a sunset without layers of veils between her and the world."

"A tour of the village sounds like a lovely idea." Kian rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "But since there is no reason for her to stay in the clinic after being disconnected from all the equipment, the tour should end at the Clan Mother's home. I will call my mother and inform her that Morelle is coming so she can instruct her Odus to prepare the room for her if she hasn't done so already."

Brandon's heart clenched. He'd gotten used to spending every possible moment with Morelle, reading to her, talking to her, and just being near her, and the thought of being forced to be apart from her made his chest ache.

Would he be allowed to visit?

Kian must have seen the worry in his eyes because he put his hand on his arm. "The Clan Mother expects you to be with Morelle throughout the day, and she's happy to host you. But since you are not officially a couple, I don't think Morelle will be comfortable with you sitting by her bedside or sleeping on the floor next to her. You'll need to go home at night."

"Of course," Brandon agreed. "I'm grateful to be allowed to spend such long hours at the Clan Mother's house."

He could pretend to leave and sneak back in at night. The automatic security shutters would be a challenge, but perhaps one of Annani's Odus could be persuaded to help.

He'd find a way. He couldn't bear the thought of being away from Morelle for that long.

They made one more trip to collect the rest of the packages, and by the time they finished loading everything, the golf cart was packed.

"Enjoy your tour," Kian said. "I'll see you later at my mother's house."