Marek was quite right. Usually the phoenix had to know the person and care about them already. And even then, that wasn't always enough. A few phoenixes chose to accompany someone for as long as the witch or wizard was alive, but that too was not necessarily the norm. It took a great deal to kill a phoenix permanently. And so they lived longer. Humans living and dying was the norm, so to interfere - it had to matter.
Following him to the couch, Felixa sat next to him, keeping Marek's hand in hers. She didn't lean on him, as he needed rest far more than she. But it was comfortable to sit close to him. She couldn't help the smile that came to her face, "You are welcome. I do admit it was partially a selfish act, as well. I...wanted you to live." She didn't know what she would have done, not having ever lost someone who was one of her people. Convincing a phoenix to give its tears was perhaps a more extreme act than killing her parents to save Tiberius - or perhaps not. It depended on one's perspective.