Covenant (boyxboy)

Chapter Eight

Our living room had too many people in it.

Bo had come over to check my vitals and take readings of my post-epiphany brainwaves for the third time in as many days. It was Saturday, so he'd brought Grace to see Connor; the two of them settled on the couch, absorbed in a handheld game. In the middle of Bo's examination of my questionable psychic health, Ruth stopped by. And she was accompanied by our sister Florence, who was in turn accompanied by Joel, her Groom.

Once again, I'd created enough drama to bring the family together.

Florence's arrival created quite the stir, both because her wheelchair had to be levitated up the porch steps and over the threshold, and because Bo and Grace stopped what they were doing to goggle over her appearance. Florence's outspoken personality, advanced human age, and Eljo-to-Elioud Cinderella story made her something of a local celebrity.

"Oh my God," Grace squealed, bowing over and over. "I can't believe you're here!"

Florence smiled and invited Grace into a hug, which both Joel and I watched with disgruntlement. Grace wasn't the gentle type.

Florence didn't seem to mind, though. "A wonderfully strong girl! Just as an Elioud should be. A pleasure to meet you, young lady."

"Ez," Ruth said, apparently impatient to address the purpose of their visit, "we're here to talk about what happened between you and Father."

"Now Ruth, that's not the right way of things." Florence released Grace with a pat to the cheek and turned to me. "First things first. Ezzy, how are you feeling? Are you all right?"

As far as I knew, I was fine.

Bo had a more scientific response, which he was quick to provide. "His vital functions are within normal parameters, Great Elioud. Brainwave patterns too. His depletion was extensive, some of the worst I've seen, but he's recovered well over the last week."

"Good, that's good." Florence beckoned me to her chair so she could take my hand.

Through that touch, I was able to enter her senses for a few seconds. She was in good spirits, in spite of the chronic discomfort that came with old age. Her joints and nerves twinged whenever she moved. There were dull aches and pains throughout her body. Even her bones felt weary. And she was asking if I was okay? Her condition was far worse than mine.

I glanced over at Joel, who met my eyes sadly. At almost two hundred and fifty, Joel was elderly himself. Florence would certainly be his final Bride, but it was still likely she'd pass before he did.

I knelt down so Florence wouldn't have to strain to look up at me. "You shouldn't have come all the way here."

"Nonsense. You're my brother, of course I'm coming." Her hand smoothed the top of my head. "What about your Connor? Is he injured?"

"I'm okay, ma'am," Connor said from behind me.

"He's cut and bruised," I corrected.

"Nothing major, though."

Argumentative as always. I rolled my eyes a little, making Florence laugh. Teenagers are a handful, aren't they? she thought to me. I grunted.

"Aren't you going to ask about Father?" Ruth said.

I cast her a dark look.

"The surgeons were able to repair most of his shoulder blade, but they couldn't fix it all. He'll never have full range of motion in that arm again."

Maybe he'd think twice before laying hands on Connor from now on.

Ruth must have read the thought in my face, because she huffed. "Honestly, Ezrael, what is wrong with you? How can you hate him so much?"