“Yes,” she yawns. “It seems like Marius saw something in Marina’s mind, and Annie has her own speculations about it. Felix, I… I have a favor to ask of you. It’s totally okay if you think it’s too much, or if you think it won’t do any good.”
I take her hand, entwining our fingers. “What do you need me to do?”
“Your gift is to give those around you happy feelings, right?” She looks flustered. “That’s probably a stupid explanation of your gift.”
“You are not wrong,” I reassure her. “It’s rather making them relaxed than making them happy, though.”
“Would… would you use it on Marina? I just would love for her to leave this world feeling calm. If there is still a part of her remaining, I am sure it is constantly reminded of the horrible things that happened to her.” She pauses. “I know it’s a lot to ask.”
“It’s not,” I exclaim. “I would love to help. I am such a dunce. Why did I not think of doing that in the first place?!”
She smiles brightly. “I am so happy. Thank you.”
She snuggles against me, taking a deep breath as if she wants to take in my scent. It reminds me of what Liam just said. He is right. At the end of the day, it’s important how Gwen feels about me. I don’t need to be the best or the greatest, as long as I make her and myself happy, it’s fine. She came home, and her first thought was to seek out my presence.
She just askedmefor help. This means more to me than anything else.
thirty-five
Secrets
*FELIX*
Gwen and I cuddle for a while longer until some surprised gasps and squeals reach us. Someone even laughs. We exchange a look. “What’s going on, now?” Gwen mutters.
“Didn’t sound like it was something dangerous.” I frown. “Could it be…”
“Goddess, yes, it could,” Gwen is up on her feet suddenly. “Let me check on it.”
I get up as well. “I will come with you.”
Once inside, I instantly know that my first intuition was right. It did happen again. Right in the middle of the room, there sits a new pet, munching on some hay, not minding anyoneor anything. I have never seen an animal like that. Fuck how uneducated I am, or ignorant, but seriously, what is it? Looks cute and funny, and has long spikes, and I might have seen it in a documentary once, but I am still not sure.
Gwen, babe, I know I’ll sound dumb now, but what’s that gigantic oversized hedgehog?
It’s not a dumb question,she says promptly.Many don’t know. It’s a porcupine.
Oh! So that’s how they look. It’s cute!
I watch Gwen approach the porcupine and kneel down next to it. The gigantic, spiky-thingy immediately climbs onto her lap and lets her feed him with fresh salad.
Silas looks amused. “I don’t think it’s aware that it’s actually a porcupine.”
“I do believe most of the pets in this house have an identity crisis,” Marcellus agrees, equally amused.
“But it’s intriguing to see your gift in person,” Silas adds, looking at Gwen thoughtfully. “Very intriguing.”
“This would have been my dream as a kid,” Elodie admits.
“Right?” Dalila laughs. “I would have sold a kidney to be able to bond with animals like this.”
“What are you going to call it?” Marcellus asks.
Gwen smiles. “It looks like a Thorn to me.”
I keep my distance so that Gwen can have her moment with everyone. She still believes she is normal, clearly oblivious to the fact of how special she is. I want her to have this moment to shine, and to see how the others appreciate her and her gift.
Everyone is so preoccupied with all the animals that the minutes pass by, turning into hours. Funny, I never realized the healing effect animals can have, but seeing how everyone forgets their problems for a moment and laughs, while being surrounded by Gwen’s own little zoo, makes me realize how we probably all needed this.
