The Seven Deadly Princes

Pride 9: The Brothers Meeting

PRIDE

Utter horror.

It dawned upon me too late. 

The sight of my Jessie falling to the floor out cold had my chest constrict creating an awful sensation. I pulled away from my pathetic brother and come to her side in an instant. 

She was cold to touch. I swallow not knowing what to do but bring her closer to my body holding her close. I wasn’t informed this could happen.

Lust stood a few steps away eyes filled with guilt. “You used too much of her life force.” 

“What?” I demand pulling my eyes away from my human. 

“Our connection is more than just the humans holding us to this world. We’re bound to their life force. You used too much and it drained her.” Lust explained softly not daring to take another step closer.

“Will Jessie recover? I’m still here that means she’s alright.” I don’t fight the panic from my voice and I can tell it startles Lust. Emotion was something I never expressed in the past. 

He vigorously nods. “She will. She’s just tired. Stick close to her. That will induce healing.” 

I carry Jessie back to the quiet place we call home. Hours ago we were seated together on the couch pressed close sharing popcorn and watching TV. Now she’s cold and almost lifeless in my arms. 

What have I done? 

With my heart in my throat, I feel the urge to vomit. What did I do to my lively happy little human? 

I bring Jessie to our room and place her down softly on her bed. She doesn’t move still and I grit my teeth together. 

She’s okay. She has to be okay. 

I wrap her in thick blankets hoping that would give her enough heat but it doesn’t seem enough. Deciding that there’s no other way around this, I join Jessie in bed and pull her to my chest. I place her head at the crook of my neck and hope that she will be okay in the morning. 

Jessie’s breathing is shallow but it’s there. With us this pressed close together, I can feel her soft beating heart against my chest. 

I allow this to carry me to sleep.

A soft whimper wakes me from my dreamless sleep. I look down and see Jessie snuggling closer to my chest. She’s still asleep but is thankfully now at body temperature. 

“Just a little more Jessie.” I whisper wrapping my arms tighter around her small frame.

She’s much too small compared to my built but oddly, I didn’t mind it at all. 

The next time I wake is at nine in the morning. Jessie is awake and sniffing my neck. 

I pull back a little and her eyes meet mine. Jessie’s doe eyes widen in horror at being caught and her cheeks turn bright pink. 

I ignore her embarrassment and pull her back towards me. She’s okay now. Relief like nothing I’ve felt before comes rushing to my chest and I sigh. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m hungry.” Jessie admits softly and that’s when I know she’s better. 

“I’ll cook.” I proclaim with confidence. 

I shouldn’t have been confident because exactly thirty minutes later, Jessie comes charging towards the kitchen with a fire extinguisher. I’ve burnt whatever I was cooking.

We stare at each other through the smoke and for the first time since my existence I let out a bark of laughter. Jessie’s melodic laughter fills the room and I feel incredibly lighter. 

I would never do anything to harm her ever again. I had to be more careful with what I do because everything connects to her. 

We spend the rest of the weekend in doors. I insist we stay in for her to recover fully with me by her side. Jessie who’s feeling a lot better took back her kitchen and cooked the best tasting porridge I’ve ever tasted. 

Granted, I’ve only tasted one other porridge but I could already tell that Jessie made the best one. Our day goes on watching mindless television and cheerful banter. 

My thoughts trail to the meeting I’ll be having with my brothers the next morning. It would be the first time we would all meet. 

I shut my eyes not wanting to deal with them. 

“What’s wrong?” I hear Jessie’s worried voice.

I open one eye to take a peek of her and smile a little. “I have a meeting in the morning.” 

Her eyes brighten. “With whom?”

“My brothers.”

She purses her lips. “Will you be gone the whole day?” 

I shake my head and tap her knee. “I can take you to school in the morning and then meet you after it ends.” 

“Sounds good. Say hi to Gluttony and Wrath for me.” 

-

I watch Jessie’s retreating figure enter her building where she had a class and feel uneasy. My fists clench and I feel my stomach knot. 

Why am I becoming too attached? I shouldn’t be this fond of her. We only had a few human years together. I can lie to myself and say it’s because of our bound life force but I know it isn’t. 

It’s only been a few days. Why is it like this? 

I pull myself together and turn away from where Jessie vanished. Self control is what I’m good at. This should all be too easy for me.

My brothers and I were to meet at Greed’s lodging. Unlike the rest of us, he lives away from his human. 

I arrive at what looks to be an massive glass beach house. Typical of Greed to flaunt his riches to his brothers. Envy would most likely throw a fit today. 

Walking up the sets to a grand wooden double door, I notice Gluttony a little ways behind. He looks up and graces me with a small smile.

“It’s been awhile brother.” Gluttony says when he finally makes it to where I’m standing.

I nod inspecting my dear brother. He hasn’t changed much. I half expected him to weigh heavier but he still looks the same. “It has.” 

Our eyes meet and I see Gluttony’s genuine happiness that I’ve never seen before. It could only mean that his human is treating him well and that they’re cooperating.

“I’m glad you’re well, brother.” I tell him honestly. It’s my dearest wish that he enjoyed himself to the fullest.

He places a hand on my back comfortingly. “And I can clearly see you’re doing just as good. That makes me happy.” 

A silence befalls us for a moment as we appreciate each other’s presence. We’re interrupted by a loud cough coming from behind.

“I’m not interrupting, am I?” Wrath comes to stand beside us. 

“Never.” Gluttony muses clapping Wrath’s back as well. “You’re looking quite dapper. Very unlike you. I like it.” 

“You’re awfully happy. I take it you’ve been eating to your hearts content?” Wrath says taking in Gluttony cheerful disposition.

Gluttony sighs happily. “All I want to do is eat. That’s all I ask.” 

“And you have it. Make the most out of it.” I tell him smacking the back of his head playfully. “Let’s get this over with.”

We enter the house and take a moment to take in the sight before us. Everything screams Greed from the large golden chandelier to the fur carpet. 

Gluttony let’s out a low whistle. “Got to hand it to Greed and his taste.” 

Wrath scoffs in distain. “There’s nothing special about this.” 

I shrug not having a comment on Greed and his thirst for wealth. Grasping a retreating Wrath by the shoulders, I hull him to a brightly lit living room that overlooked the beach outside. 

Greed is the first person I see with his gold robes that hung loosely to him showing off a little too much skin. He smiles widely at the sight of us.

“Brothers! Welcome, welcome! Have a seat. Take a drink. How about some snacks?” Greed dramatically showed off his array of golden trays filled with rich delicacies like caviar and lobster rolls. Wine, whiskey and champagne were lined up neatly on the table as well.

Gluttony didn’t have to be told twice. He grabbed three of each delicacy in each hand and slowly consumed it. 

Wrath went ahead and grabbed a whole bottle of whiskey before finding a seat on the extravagant looking couch. At the far end of said couch was Lust and Envy. Both were dressed in expensive suits. Lust in white and Envy in red. A glass filled with sparkling champagne were between their fingers.

They both nodded their head towards their elder brothers not that Wrath or Gluttony were paying attention. 

I pour myself a glass of wine observing my younger brothers. Greed was happily boasting to Lust and Envy. 

The other two half listened to his words. I could see the bitterness in Envy’s eyes at whatever Greed was saying. Lust just looked bored. No doubt he wants to leave and get on with his business. 

As expected, Sloth is late. He will most likely arrive just before the meeting ends. 

I take a seat beside Wrath and notice him staring at the beach. He takes a long swig from the bottle of whiskey in his hands. 

“I’m going to kill Sloth for being late.” He grumbles under his breath.

Gluttony looks up from his snacking. “Too bad he’s immortal, aye?” 

“How have you been, Wrath?” I ask not fully reading my temperamental brother. He didn’t particularly look like he was in a bad mood. If anything Wrath was a lot calmer. 

“Can’t complain.” He said grumpily. 

“Your human treating you okay?” Gluttony asks happily drinking wine from his glass.

Wrath paused for a few moments and nods. “He’s alright. Decent.” He lowers his voice and leans closer to us. “There are times I wish I could help him more.” 

“Help with what?” I press it’s rare for Wrath to care about anything. 

He takes another long drink from his bottle. “Life hasn’t been exactly good to him.” 

“Most humans don’t. It’s not a surprise that they sin. Some are forced to.” Gluttony adds looking sympathetic. 

“Yes! My very own yacht!” Greed says in an obnoxiously loud voice. “We can make a party out of it next time. There will be women, booze and food. Whatever you want.” 

Wrath clicks his tongue in annoyance. He’s never been into those things. 

“I’ll even get a punching bag for Wrath.” Greed continued sending a wink to Wrath who was not at all impressed by his words. “There’ll be something for everyone.” 

Envy’s eyes find mine and he grins. “How about Pride? What will he get?” 

Greed bursts out laughing. “Wine and university girls?” 

I remain quiet staring blankly at them. I’m surprised Lust hasn’t said anything from our last encounter. From Envy’s face, he’s still clueless of my human. 

Wrath decided to speak in my behalf. “How pathetic is your human, Envy? It must kill you that Greed and Lust have everything that they want while you have nothing.” 

Envy’s eyes narrow with hate. It was so obvious that he was the least satisfied with his life on earth. “At least I didn’t get a murderer.” 

The comment didn’t bring the burn that Envy anticipated because Wrath merely rolls his eyes. “I’m content with my human. Are you?” 

Gluttony awkwardly laughs to try and ease the tension. Bits of food fly from his mouth and he shyly brushes it off my clothes. “Sorry about that.” 

“Isn’t it tiring hanging off of Lust and Greed’s fortune?” Wrath pressed even more and I watch the resentment ooze off Envy. He made it so easy to rile him up.

Envy raises from his seat. Lust immediately grabs for him knowing well that Envy could never win a fight against Wrath. “Don’t be foolish.”

Greed remains quiet. He’s thrilled that Envy is jealous of his wealth but is torn in helping his biggest fan. 

Wrath sits back with his empty bottle of whiskey waiting for Envy to come and fight him. I’m about to intervene when Sloth makes an appearance.

He’s disheveled and sluggish as per usual. The loud yawn he does breaks the tension. Sloth grins goofily. “What did I miss?”