Page 34 of Magic in My Bones

“I know you're driven to uncover the truth,” Luca said softly, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. “But you can't keep going like this, Ren. You're exhausted, and it's not just physical. Your spirit needs rest, too.”

I let out a shaky breath, suddenly aware of the tightness in my chest, the weariness that seemed to have seeped into my very bones. “I just... I feel like I'm so close, Luca. Like the answer is right there, just out of reach. And if I can just push a little harder, stay up a little later...”

“Then you'll run yourself into the ground,” Luca finished, his tone gentle but firm. “And where will that leave you? Too burnt out to even think straight, let alone pursue a certain talented necromancer professor.” He nudged me with an elbow.

I groaned and flopped onto my back. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

I closed my eyes, trying not to think about Dorian’s intense green eyes, his wavy auburn hair, and his smile… Gods, how was I ever supposed to not fall for him?

“It's just not fair, Luca,” I whined, dramatically flinging an arm over my face. “He's so... ugh.Perfect. And he actually likes me too! But nooo, he had to be all 'it wouldn't be appropriate, Ren.' Stupid sexy Dorian and his stupid sexy ethics.” I let out an exaggerated, long-suffering sigh.

Luca snorted and patted my knee. “Alas, poor Ren, cockblocked by the code of conduct yet again!” He placed a hand over his heart.

I grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. “You're enjoying this way too much.” But I was fighting back a grin.

Luca laughed and dodged my halfhearted pillow assault. “I’m just here for the drama. And the snacks. Ilovesnacks.” He paused before adding. “Besides, what are roomies for if not listening to you complain about how badly you want to moan under Professor McHotPants?”

I choked on air, my cheeks burning. “LUCA!”

Luca waggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. “You can't tell me you haven't imagined what that man is packing under those tailored slacks. With the big dick energy he radiates, Dorian's got to be hung like a—”

“Luca, I swear to the gods!” I cut him off, burying my flaming face in my hands. My words were muffled. “I am not discussing this with you! There arelines!”

“Mmhmm, I bet you'd love to see his 'line',” Luca teased mercilessly. “All eight inches of it.”

“OKAY, that's enough!” I practically shrieked, launching myself at Luca. He cackled gleefully as I wrestled him into a headlock, the flowery wreath tumbling off his horns. We rolledaround until I had him pinned on his stomach, one arm twisted behind his back.

“Okay, okay, uncle! I yield!” Luca gasped between fits of laughter. I released him and he rolled over, clutching his sides. “Fuck, your face issored!”

I glared at Luca half-heartedly, my cheeks still burning. “You're the worst, you know that?”

Luca just grinned up at me, unrepentant. “You love me anyway. And you know what you need? Some good old-fashioned retail therapy! Let's go hit up the shops in town tomorrow and find you a killer masquerade outfit.”

I groaned, flopping onto my back beside him. “Luca, you know I can't afford anything fancy. I'm here on scholarship, remember? My budget is kind of non-existent.”

Luca waved a dismissive hand. “Pfft, don't worry about that! One of my dads sent me some extra cash for the holiday. He always goes a bit overboard.” He rolled his eyes fondly.

I turned my head to look at him, raising an eyebrow. “Which dad was it this time? The lawyer, the artist, or the druid?”

He gave me a shove. “They have names, you know. It was Bailen.”

I arched an eyebrow.

Luca rolled his eyes. “The lawyer,” Luca finally clarified. “I think he's trying to outdo the custom enchanted easel Mom and Mama gave me for my birthday.”

I shook my head, amused. Wrapping my head around Luca’s polycule family dynamic had been confusing at first. With two moms and three dads, there were a lot of family names to keep straight.

I chuckled. “Ah, the joys of having multiple parental units trying to one-up each other with gifts. Must be nice.”

Luca grinned sheepishly. “It has its perks. But seriously, Ren, let me treat you to a killer costume for the masquerade. It'llbe fun! And who knows, maybe a certain dashing necromancy professor will be so blown away by how hot you look that he won't be able to resist sweeping you into a passionate, forbidden embrace right there on the dance floor...” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I snorted and shoved at his shoulder. “In your romance novel dreams, maybe. But fine, I'll let you drag me costume shopping. But nothing too over the top, okay? I do have some dignity to maintain.”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say,” Luca agreed, a mischievous glint in his eye that told me I was definitely going to regret this. “Operation Get Ren Laid is a go!”

I smacked a palm to my forehead. “I changed my mind. I'm disowning you as a roommate and a friend.”

“No, you're not,” Luca said confidently, reaching up to adjust his wreath of flowers. One of the blossoms had started glowing softly in the dim light. “You love me too much. Besides, who else would feed Grim pages from their herbology textbook when you're too busy mooning over Professor McHotPants to remember?”

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