13. Ell-rom

13

ELL-ROM

E ll-rom walked down the long hallway toward the clinic with his back straight, and his head held high. His hands were resting lightly on the walker's handles, and he was proud of the fact that he was basically walking without its help.

It seemed like every time he woke up, he was markedly better than before rest. He would have considered taking more naps, but he was already resting too much for his liking. His body seemed to need it, though, and it was just shutting down on him after exertion without leaving room for negotiation.

"You are doing great," Jasmine said. "In a day or two, you might be able to discard the walker altogether."

"That would be a cause for celebration." He waited for her to open the door to the clinic. "Tomorrow, I'll try to do without when I meet the rest of the family." His chest expanded just from saying that.

He had a family. A nephew, three nieces, their mates, and many cousins, as all other more distant relations were called on Earth. Or was it only in English?

There was still so much to learn. If only there was a way to just pour it into his brain instead of having to learn everything over time.

"Hello," Julian called out from his office. "Had a nice nap?"

"The best." Ell-rom smiled at the medic. "I'm going to see my sister."

"Of course. I'm here if you need me."

Bridget was seen less and less in the clinic, and Julian had taken over most of the care for Ell-rom and Morelle.

Ell-rom didn't mind for himself, but Morelle was still fragile, and he would have preferred the more senior medic to supervise her recovery.

Today, though, he was happy that Julian was there and not Bridget. He needed to talk to him about his blood aversion and what could be done about it, but the problem was that he didn't want to have that conversation in front of Jasmine.

Jasmine hadn't realized what had happened last night, and he wanted to keep it that way, at least for now. Ell-rom preferred to find a solution before he had to confess his disability.

Jasmine pushed the door to Morelle's room open all the way, and as he stepped inside, she followed.

"Hello, sister," he said, moving to her bedside. "I'm sorry I couldn't visit earlier. The therapy sessions take a lot out of me."

He settled into the chair beside her bed, reaching for her hand. It was warm and somehow vibrant despite her unresponsive state. He studied her features, so similar to his own. The curve of her cheekbones, the shape of her eyes. It was like looking at a softer, more delicate version of himself.

When a buzzing sound disturbed the moment, he turned to look at Jasmine. "What was that?"

"My phone." She pulled it out and read what was on the screen. "It's Margo. She's back in the penthouse and asking if I want to have a coffee with her. Are you okay here on your own for a little bit?"

It was perfect. "Of course. Go and enjoy some time alone with your friend. I feel bad enough about taking up all of your time."

"I love being with you." She leaned and kissed his cheek. "Tell Morelle about the family lunch tomorrow."

"I will."

When Jasmine closed the door behind her, Ell-rom leaned over Morelle's hand and kissed the back of it. "I think I love this woman, and I can't wait for you to meet her."

Morelle's expression didn't change, but he imagined that her lips quirked up slightly in a ghost of a smile. It wasn't true, but it made him feel good to believe that it might be.

"I have news," he continued. "Annani's children and grandchildren are coming to meet me tomorrow, and I wish you could be there. So far, everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me that I don't expect anything different from those I haven't met yet."

The only response was the continued beeping of the machines, and Ell-rom sighed, running a hand over his face. "I'm struggling, Morelle," he admitted quietly. "There's so much I don't understand about myself, and there's something wrong with me." He leaned closer to share his shameful secret. "I can't stand the sight or smell of blood. The very thought of it makes me ill. And that's a problem because I can't bring myself to bite Jasmine, which is expected of me. Both Kra-ell and gods bite, but it's even more important in the culture of the gods and their hybrid descendants. No immortal female would accept me if I can't deliver a venom bite, but in Jasmine's case, it is even more crucial because it is necessary to activate her dormant godly genes. Unless I can bite her, she can't turn immortal, which means I can't keep her."

Ell-rom's grip on Morelle's hand tightened. "I need to find a solution and get over the aversion. I need to talk to Julian about it, but it's so embarrassing to admit that I'm incapable of something that every adult immortal male can do."

He was silent for a few moments, just watching Morelle's breathing. "I don't spend nearly enough time with you, and I feel bad about leaving you so soon, but I really need to talk to Julian."

Morelle was spending most of her days alone, without anyone talking or singing to her like Jasmine had done for him. Was it any wonder that she was still in a coma?

He was failing in his brotherly duty. He should make an effort to be with her more often and bring Jasmine with him to sing. Or perhaps he could sing her a song?

He didn't remember any, but he could improvise.

"I wouldn't know where to start. It would be better to just turn on the television for you. We could place the teardrop near the speaker so it can translate for you. Maybe hearing different voices and different stories would help. What do you think?"

As always, there was no response, but Ell-rom liked to imagine that somewhere deep inside, Morelle could hear him. "I'll talk to Julian about it," he promised. He stood up. "I have to go now, but I'll be back after I'm done talking to Julian." He leaned over her and kissed her forehead.