Page 151 of Halfblood Deceived

“Oops!” Diana giggled. “My bad. Carry on.”

She closed the door in their faces.

Aella licked her lips and swallowed hard, meeting Zeydan’s gaze.

He looked as startled as Aella for two seconds, but then shook off his stupor and handed her the paper bag full of books. “This one’s yours.”

“Thanks,” she muttered. “I should, um, return your coat.”

Zeydan shook his head. “Keep it. I’m immune to the cold. You need it more than me.”

Aella didn’t bother to mention the obvious—that the coat didn’t fit her right and she could buy one of her own. “So, I’ll see you around?”

“Definitely.” He smiled and cupped her face with his usual gentleness.

Aella held her breath as he leaned close and kissed her cheek. His lips were warm and soft, and Aella felt as if she were made of warm marshmallows. His hair brushed her face, smelling divine and she wanted to nuzzle him but didn’t, decorum and nervousness holding her back.

“Goodnight,” Zeydan said.

Aella smiled. “See you later.”

He blinked, but nodded.

Aella opened the door and went inside.

Zeydan waited until she closed it to leave.

Heart still galloping, Aella all but collapsed against the door.

Diana was sitting in her favorite chair near the fireplace, drinking tea and giving Aella a knowing look and smile. “Hello, sis.”

Aella straightened with as much dignity as possible and kicked off her shoes before padding to the sofa, and all but fell there.

Diana’s brow flickered. “Are you alright?”

“I think Brittany was right,” Aella blurted. “I-I’m attracted to Zeydan.”

Diana rolled her eyes. “Puppies are cute. The sun is yellow. Cats say ‘meow.’”

Aella tried to scowl at Diana. “Not funny. It’s wrong that I feel like this.”

Diana sobered at once, going to sit next to Aella and gently nudging her so they faced each other on the sofa with their legs crossed. “Tell me why you think it’s wrong.”

Aella huffed, eyes prickling. “Because I am still married. Because it’s sinful for a married woman to feel like this.” She blinked fast, but tears fell down her face, anyway.

Diana took a deep breath. “Aella, darling, Micah impaled you twice and was going to cut you into pieces.” Aella shivered, even though she was still bundled in Zeydan’s coat. Diana took Aella’s icy hands in her warm ones. “I think it’s safe to say the marriage contract is broken after that, don’t you?”

“Not legally or in the eyes of the church,” Aella said, her voice low and shaky to her own ears.

“The church is full of degenerate bastards who think of us females as their chew toys, Aella,” Diana reminded her. “Their views on marriage and what it means for us—blind obedience and utter submission—are beyond appalling.”

Aella inhaled shakily. She knew this. Heavens, she knew it, and yet… She needed to hear it.

Diana seemed to know this, for she continued. “Tell me, what should be sinful? Wanting someone whom you aren’t married to? Or trying to destroy your spouse in all aspects—body, mind, and soul?”

Aella sniffed, wiping her tears. “The second, definitely.”

Diana placed a lock of hair behind Aella’s ear. “And do you truly think what you feel for Zeydan is wrong?”

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