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Chapter 25
Wraythe
After Nari went to the other room, the rest of us pulled out our books and started on next week's homework. The reading part, mostly. This year, we were going to stay ahead, so that if we had to miss a few days of lessons, it wouldn't drop our grades too much. I chose the text for my course about the legalities of being a guardian. I had a feeling that working with Ela, I'd need to know when he was crossing a legal line as much as a physical one.
And yet, none of us were truly committed. Nari's words felt like they were still hanging in the room. I wanted to ask Talin about his jealousy, but not with Ela sitting right here. That would make things awkward. Talin had been keeping his fears in check, but I knew my ward well enough to know that Ela would bend over backwards to convince Talin he was fine - and only make things worse.
Then there was Anver. His eyes were on his book, but he kept smiling. Never mind thatI'dbarely glanced at the page I was supposed to be reading. All of us were sitting here faking it, and in the other room, I could hear the soft murmur of Nari's voice, which meant she was talking to Zeal.
"Ok," I said, snapping my book closed. "I have to know. Does anyone have a problem with that?"
"Nari and Zeal?" Ela asked, immediately knowing what I meant.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"No," they all assured me almost simultaneously.
"Why?" Talin asked.
"Because she felt like she had to ask," I said. "Why?"
Anver chuckled once. "Love. She loves you guys."
"And you," Ela pointed out.
Anver made a noise like he didn't quite believe that. "Let's leave me out of this for a second because we know I have some shit to make up for. Nari loves you guys. All three of you. Ela, she's loved you and Wraythe for years now. I get the impression that Talin showed up with her match marks and just fit right in."
Ela glanced over, but Talin snorted back a laugh. "Not quite," Talin said. "Um, Zeal told me to push. I thought I was doing that when Nari couldn't tell me where I fit in. Ela made it clear that wasn't how things go around here."
"Grabbed him by his ring and gave a good squeeze," Ela said. "I have to admit, I was a little impressed that you didn't scream or pass out."
"It was fucking close," Talin assured him. "I just assumed you were pissed that I'd slept with her."
"Before Choosing," Anver said. "Yeah, Zeal told me a bit about that. How he trusted Nari to be something you couldn't walk away from."
"Huh," I muttered.
They all turned to look at me. "What?" Talin asked.
"Three of us in this room couldn't walk away from her. We'd rather die than let that happen." I shrugged. "Knowing that Zeal's aware of it? Just seems like he's doing his god thing again."
"And pointing out that I did," Anver grumbled.
So I leaned forward, clasping my hands between my knees. "Not like that. Anver, we get it, ok? Tishlie lied to you. She convinced you that we were done. We didn't help."
"I still should've tried," he insisted. "Fuck, I just wanted to find this thing you all have. That driving passion."
The sound of Nari moaning made us all pause. A moment later, the bed creaked, proving what was going on. I ducked my head to hide my smile. Talin chuckled softly. Ela just thrust his arm out at the open door, his eyes on Anver.
"That? Does it make you jealous, Anver?"
"No," he admitted. "But you know that."
"Mhm," Ela agreed. "Because you aren't wired like me. Neither is Wraythe. He doesn't like hurting his lovers. Neither is Talin. He doesn't worry about what others think of him or who he's with. We're all a little different. That doesn't mean we don't have some kind of passion. Yours just isn't for physical things."
"So what am I passionate about?" Anver asked. "I've spent the last few years trying to figure it out, and I'm still looking."
It was Talin who had the answer. "Taking care of people." He moved his book to the cushion beside him and leaned back. "Think about it. This morning, you wouldn't let me go to Shalsa's place alone. You are always making sure Zeal has company. You step up for Wraythe when he needs it, and you spread rumors to counter the shit about Ela and Nari. How much do you do that isn't traditionally sexy, but still is meant to care for those you love?"
