Page 45 of Cursed
Adele replies, “Yes, she is. She’ll need a full wardrobe.”
While Adele coordinates all the clothing Nori needs, casual outfits, dresses, and shoes, Nori looks around the shop. Pre-made clothes, ready to be custom-fit, hang on racks. Bolts and bolts of various fabrics line every wall. Nori sees two more seamstresses working hard in the back of the store.
Amara interrupts Nori’s appraisal of the shop and asks her to strip down to her underwear to measure her properly.
Nori hears their sharp inhales when Adele and Amara get a look at her back. She rolls her eyes. “Sorry, I should have warned you. It’s pretty bad, I know, but it doesn’t hurt.”
Amara exclaims, “What the hell happened to you, girl?”
Nori sighs. “You do not want to know.”
Adele shakes her head, trying not to cry over the abuse Nori’s body has endured. “She’ll need several sizes, Amara. Iexpect her to put on some weight now that she’s here. So, don’t make this first round of clothes too snug. Oh, and wow, Nori. We definitely need to improve your underwear situation!”
Nori grits her teeth through the endless measuring. Starting at her neck, then shoulders, arms, and on and on. When it's over, every part of her body has been measured. Even though they were very efficient, it took Amara and one of the seamstresses, Breelynn, a good thirty minutes. Nori gets dressed and thanks the tailor and her assistant.
Walking out, Nori turns to Adele, smirking. “Thank you for that truly embarrassing experience.”
Adele throws her head back, laughing. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I told you she gets up close!”
Adele stops and takes Nori’s hands. “Seriously though, I’m so glad you let me do this for you. Clothes are like armor for us women, Nori. You’ll see. Now, I’m starving. I’m taking you to my favorite spot for lunch.”
Nori smiles, thinking this has got to be the best day she’s had in years.
After lunch, Adele teaches Nori a couple of routes through the castle, so she can memorize them. Starting at Ryland’s chambers, they walk to Adele’s rooms, which are not far, one floor down and to the right. They walk from Adele’s to the hospital wing, which is a bit more complicated, then back to Ryland’s rooms.
Adele writes down the number to dial to reach the kitchen, so Nori can order meals. Then, the two women sit together on the sofa in Ryland’s sitting room. Adele hands Nori a tablet that controls the TV and sound system. Even though Nori has never used a tablet before, Adele’s instructions are easy to follow.
While Nori practices turning on the TV and changing channels, she absently asks, “Why did Ryland and the Enforcers ride out on horseback and not trucks or snowmobiles?”
“We have paved and dirt roads throughout most of the Packlands, but Silver Pine is far off into the woods. Horses are best for traveling through those dense forests. Surely you noticed when you were wandering around for weeks?”
“Yes, Aylin was adept at avoiding the trees while being chased by that Rogue, but the underbrush and fallen logs were difficult to navigate.”
Nori thinks of another question. “I haven’t seen a cell phone since I’ve been here, but I noticed Ryland has a laptop. Most people had a phone at Starfall.”
“Starfall is a little closer to civilization. We are working on getting our own cell tower, but it took us years just to get the internet out here.”
Nori grips the tablet tightly. “Why? Why are you being so nice to me? It’s not that I’m not grateful, but it seems, I don’t know, unnecessary.”
Adele leans back on the sofa. “Lots of reasons.” She shifts her position to face Nori. “I desperately want this Mate Bond to work out for my brother. I’m going to do whatever I can to help.”
Nodding, Nori says, “That’s fair.”
“Also, the way your Pack treated you, Nori. It’s despicable. No one deserves that. We do not stand for any kind of abuse here.” Adele takes one of Nori’s hands, squeezing it. “You deserve some kindness.”
Nori blows out a breath, trying to hold back her tears. “Well, I appreciate it.”
Smiling, Adele gets up. “I have to run to work for a while. I’ll answer more of your questions when I come back for dinner, and I’ll have some questions of my own.”
“OK. See you for dinner.”
Adele closes the doors behind her. On her way back to the clinic, she informs any staff she passes of Nori’s status as Ryland’s Bonded Mate.
She runs into Garek along the way. Garek stops her and asks, “How’s she doing? You think she’s the one to break the curse?”
Adele grabs his arm, grinning. “I absolutely believe she’s the one we’ve been waiting for.” She’s practically bouncing on her toes. “I took her to my tailor to get her some proper clothes, and I’ve informed a lot of the staff of her status. I’m having dinner with her after work. Do you want to join us?”
Garek frowns, rubbing his face. “Are you not going overboard, Adele? It’s not like she’s accepted him.”
