Covenant (boyxboy)

Chapter Eleven

Connor's mood lifted for just a few minutes during the ceremonies, once when his sister was called to receive her ruby pin, and then when it was Grace's turn. I probably shouldn't have been gladdened by it, since I had helped him and Grace cheat her way to graduation. But Connor was so happy for her that I couldn't bring myself to be cynical.

It took an hour to get through the undergraduates who were moving up a grade. Then came the monotony of the Bridal announcements. Each graduating Bride was introduced with a summary of her background and accomplishments. She was asked to step to the microphone and announce which of her suitors she had accepted; most had a speech prepared. As soon as she said his name, the Nephilim she'd chosen would come running from the stands to a round of thunderous applause. Ruth, in her role as Directress, would ceremoniously offer the newly-minted Groom a glittering bethrothal crown on a green velvet cushion. He placed the crown on his new Bride's head. Made a speech himself, declaring his gratitude and devotion. They usually embraced in some way after that, either a hug or a kiss or, in a couple of cases, a full on public makeout. And as they sauntered off the stage together, the next young woman came up and the whole thing repeated itself.

For three mind-numbing hours.

Keisha and Jasmine, two of my bids, were crowned relatively early. Connor tensed as each of them took the stage, and I had to remind him to breathe a couple of times while they were making their speeches. Unsurprisingly, neither named me as their Groom. Relief washed over him both times, in a flood of belated adrenaline. His heart was pounding so loud in his ears that it drowned out the next few rounds of announcements for both of us. 

The thick cloud of pheromones surrounding him was almost more than my senses could handle, and I kept vacillating between edging away or pulling him closer... maybe onto my lap, where he would be able to feel the things he was doing to me. Maybe then he'd understand that I was just as glad as he was that my bidding strategies were working out. Maybe the scent of each other's skin and the feel of our bodies against one another would make this persistent ache in our chests go away.

Obviously I was caught up in him again. A few Nephilim seated nearby were starting to eye Connor with a hunger that echoed mine. Those sitting with their Brides were getting heavy with the PDA, even if they hadn't realized where the extra amorous energy was coming from. And I spotted a reporter sitting a few rows below us, who'd started pointing his camera at us instead of the ceremonies. Great... just when the media frenzy around my epiphany had finally started to die down.

I reached down and retrieved the pheromone blocker bottle from Connor's backpack, putting it in his hand.

He blinked at me for a moment, then blushed and sprayed the formula on his neck and wrists. He tried to be subtle about spraying down the front of his cargo shorts. I kept my eyes averted for that part, and when he was done I took the bottle from him, recapped it, and dropped it into his bag. My fingers touched a ziploc of peanut butter cookies, which I pulled out and offered to him. I kept that gesture equally casual. After all, his pheromones were as natural as the need to eat. He shouldn't be made to feel self conscious.

We each ate a cookie without speaking. I feigned attention to the ceremonies, while monitoring the men around us for ongoing threats. But the blocker had begun to do its job, and between that and the sugar infusion I was able to regain some of my own focus.

However, I was so preoccupied that I almost missed Olivia at the microphone. Her pregnancy hadn't begun to show yet, but she was one of several girls graduating with child. Like the others, she received a standing ovation.

"I'm not good at speeches," she said into the mic. The furious pinkness of her face clashed with the orangey red of her hair, and she stood with one hand pressed against her belly. "I just want to be the best Bride and mama I can be. My Groom's been through so much awful stuff in his life, and I'm glad to have this chance to make things better for him. We're not even married yet, and he already treats me so special. He's an amazing person and I can't wait to be part of his family."