Maybe even more so than I am.
The rest of our study session is unusually quiet as my mind wanders to all the ways this could go wrong and why he would be interested in her in the first place. I mean, I know why. She’s amazing; anyone would be stupid to overlook her, but Felix doesn’t like anyone. I’ve known him since we were kids, and I’m pretty sure he’s only ever said three words to me. He doesn’t do friends, and I’ve definitely never seen him with a girl.
So why Wren?
Wren gives us both a few weird looks, but we ignore them. What do we say? Not only does she seem to like Felix enough to defend him from Titus and be around him, but I also can’t give her a good reason to stay away from him.
Fuck. I hate this.
I turn in after her, urging her to get some sleep as my anxiety continues to grow. My powers are strong, pure, and sought after, but what's the use of them if I can’t keep the people I care about safe?
Felix never seemed to give a shit about Titus. I got lucky, but what if he wants Wren?
The second she lies down, I use my magic to help her fall asleep and stay asleep, needing to know she’s safe. It’s against the rules, but I don’t really care right now, so long as she’s safe.
I step through the fabric of the world, skipping my bedroom and going right to Titus’. The second I materialize, I pause, worried he might not want me after our last little spat.
It wasn’t exactly serious, and we’ve seen each other a few times since then, even practiced, but...
“Either lie down or leave. You're thinking so hard you're giving me a headache.” He holds the covers up, offering me the space in front of him, and I smile as I crawl into bed to be the little spoon.
He lets the blanket drop, his arm banding around my waist to pull me back into his chest until there isn’t an inch between us. In his arms, I feel like I can breathe again.
That is, until I remember what Wren said.
“Titus…” I trail off, unsure what to say. The fact that he was looking out for her already is strange, though I’m sure it has something to do with me.
The idea of something happening to her, though… It makes my stomach roll.
“I know you don’t like her—"
“I won’t let him hurt anyone else, not even your annoying little mortal,” he says, cutting me off, and I know it’s silly; Felix would destroy Titus as far as power level goes.
But he’s also the only person I’ve ever seen him listen to, so maybe that will be enough.
It has to be.
He presses a kiss to the back of my head, and I let my eyes fall closed, safe and warm in his arms, one of my favorite places to be. I try not to think about how much better it would be with Wren here with us.
Someday, I know she will be.
I can be patient, for now.
Julez got an A, which means our weekly movie night now includes Wren.
Wonderful.
I can’t even be too upset, though, because he’s been struggling with his grades, getting closer and closer to academic suspension, and if she’s the one who can help him…
I’m not salty at all.
What I am upset about is that he let her pick the movie, because it’s not enough that she’s here.
Something seems different with her, though. Where she was simply ignoring Titus before, she seems to be openly matching his glares, and the smile on her face around Nolan and Julez is bigger and brighter than before.
It’s annoying because these aremyfriends, but I keep my mouth shut because it’s not just her; something feels different with all of them.
Dimitri has told me a million times I need to let our rivalry go, and I know he’s probably right, but I’m not sure how to do that if I’m being honest.
