Chapter 9 #2
And why would he? Feo hadn’t been enough for Wylan four years ago. They hardly had more to offer now. The school still took up most of their time, and they were only now easing back into their Tawney community.
Feo couldn’t compete with whatever Dren was offering, and everyone here knew it.
Feo chose their words carefully. “Wy, please. I’m trying.
I’m helping.” They gestured at the buildings they’d raised alongside Kianthe, refining the stones she moved into beautiful doorways and windows.
They’d even added extra magic into the beauty of it—not just square openings with wooden shutters, but curved archways fit for glass, accented by magical carvings that already gave Pine Island its own style.
“You are helping,” Wylan said, his brow knitting together.
“Then leave me be,” Feo begged. “I’m happy for you. I’m happy for Dren. And now I’d like to eat my bread.”
They took another bite, chewing the bland loaf even as their stomach roiled. Their eyes stung as they stared at their plate.
Wylan drew a slow breath and murmured, “All right. Thank you, Feo. For everything.” His boots turned, walked across the newly flattened dirt. Feo didn’t see how far he walked, but presumed he strolled back to Lord Dren, back to his new life and love.
Tears pricking the corners of their vision, Feo didn’t look up from their meal—not until several minutes later, when a familiar someone dropped heavily to the bench beside them.
“Well, well. How’re you doing after today?” Kianthe fluffed the folds of her cloak. It was a nice night in Pine Island, but so close to the ocean, so far north, it was still frigid cold when the sun set. They’d both worked up a sweat today, and now that warmth was a distant memory.
“I’m fine.” Feo wished people would stop asking. “Are we flying home tonight? We’re useless without magic, and my stores are gone.”
Kianthe shrugged. “They’ll replenish overnight, but I agree it’d be best to get back to any ley line, even a pathetic one.” She didn’t move, though. She just leaned back on the bench, plucking a piece of buttered bread off Feo’s plate. “You know, magic drain gets better if you eat.”
“I know that,” Feo snapped.
“Touchy,” Kianthe drawled, but her expression softened when she locked gazes with Feo.
She must have seen the remnant of tears, or perhaps they were abjectly terrible at hiding their feelings after all.
Instead of offering kindness, she quirked an eyebrow.
“You look like a horse and cart ran you over.”
Somehow, that made Feo feel better than the alternative. If Kianthe was teasing them, it was business as usual—which meant they were free to retort with all the pent-up frustration they actually felt.
“Fuck you, too,” they said, without venom.
Kianthe snorted. “Want to talk about it?”
“Not with Wylan around.” Feo picked up another piece of bread, staring at it.
It was beautifully golden, dense with nutrients, and they couldn’t imagine anything less appetizing.
But if they were flying home tonight, they’d need more strength than this—so they forced themselves to take another bite.
“Wylan left after talking with you. Dren followed a few minutes later.” Kianthe gestured vaguely up the hillside, at a cabin they’d designated as the town hall.
It was big enough to house many of the workers, and with all the bunks inside, privacy would be tough to find there. Curious that that was where Wylan went.
Feo glanced around the campfire, but Kianthe was right. The others were still enjoying their meals, but no one was paying the mages much attention. Safe in the anonymity of a busy gathering, their shoulders slumped. “He’s dating Dren.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty obvious.” Kianthe didn’t have judgment in her tone, just curiosity. “Does that bother you?”
“Wouldn’t it bother you, if Reyna dated someone else and you had to watch?” Feo shot back.
Kianthe laughed out loud. “If Rain dated someone else, we’d be having a threesome.” She tilted her head, eyebrows raising in contemplation. “You could pitch that, you know. Dren seems like the type—”
Feo shook that off. “He may be, but I’m not. He has something special with Wylan; it’s not my business to intervene.”
“Something special?” Kianthe snickered.
Feo narrowed their eyes at her. “What’s so funny?”
“You make it seem like they’re intending marriage. Feo, they’re spending nights together. It’s not that serious.”
“Nights together can be serious.”
“They can be. But in this case, it isn’t.” Kianthe smirked. “I did some digging while you were working so diligently. Alchemy circles take forever to draw, by the way—I don’t know how you stand it.”
Feo scowled. “Kianthe. Focus.”
“My point is, Wylan and Dren are experimenting, nothing more. In Dren’s words, they’re ‘keeping each other company.’ And considering Wylan was right there, nodding along, I think they’re on the same page.
” Kianthe shrugged. “It could become something bigger, sure. But right now, you’re not out of the running unless you want to be. ”
Something about that sentence shifted Feo’s entire brain. They had already been mourning what they’d perceived as gone—but if Kianthe was right, Wylan might return home fully single.
And yet… several weeks ago, Feo had told Wylan it wasn’t the time. Nothing had really changed. Feo was mourning Wylan tonight because, yet again, he’d become inaccessible. Untouchable. Forbidden.
And that stirred incredibly familiar emotions in Feo. They loved a challenge, no matter how it presented itself.
Nothing had changed, and that was the problem.
Feo shook their head. “You might be right. But… it’s still not my place to intervene. If Wylan and Dren separate, it won’t be my doing.”
Kianthe slapped Feo’s shoulder in a friendly manner. “There you go. I’m proud of you, Feo. That’s maturity.” She paused. “And, if Rain ever did try to date someone else—I wouldn’t just bow down and let the competition take her from me. If you want my opinion, that’s all Wylan was ever looking for.”
She pushed to her feet, offering a hand.
Feo rolled their eyes and took it.