Page 175 of Halfblood Deceived

Aylana, Diana, and Kamilla had told Aella that teaching someone about consent was a duty and one of the most basic demonstrations of decency. She agreed, of course, but how lackluster and downright abusive her education had been was quite a hard pill to swallow.

“I have the feeling Luce will be the most prepared female ever,” Aella said. “She receives fighting lessons, hacking lessons, and has read an entire library of books.”

Zeydan grinned without hiding his canines. “Also fencing lessons with Lex, business management classes with Gabby and me, fashion counseling from Evan, and basic medical training with Mari.”

Aella shook her head, amused and in awe. “She’ll be unstoppable soon.”

“She already is,” Zeydan said, returning his attention to the books, a corner of his mouth tilting up as he tapped the spine of The Black Witch with one finger. “Gabby is obsessed with this one.”

“Really?” Aella smiled. “So am I, since Aylana introduced me to it a while ago. I found it… educational.”

Zeydan smiled, cleared his throat, and recited Aella’s favorite line.

Her jaw slackened.

He chuckled. “Gabby read that quote to me twice. I think she has it pinned to the wall.”

Aella grinned. “I printed and framed it.”

“Great minds think alike.”

Aella huffed, her smile seemingly affixed to her face. Just then, she noticed how close she was standing to Zeydan. They were mere inches away. His body heat caressed her skin, even through her sweater.

“I used to think vampires were cold-blooded,” she blurted, immediately wanting to slap herself. Most of her brain cells seemed to turn off in Zeydan’s presence.

“Some are, in a way,” he said, unbothered. “Purebloods can acclimate to icy weather by lowering their external temperature to match the environment. But their temperature is even higher than humans’ in normal conditions. Halfbloods like me, are different. I am immune to frostbite but my temperature runs hot at all times. Same with Sebastian. Kerian and Kam acclimate to cold as purebloods do.”

“I am immune to frostbite too,” Aella confessed, blocking the memories of how she knew that. “But I get cold easily.”

“Are you cold right now?” Zeydan asked. “I can light up the fireplace if you like.”

“I’m not,” Aella said. “Not being so close to you.”

What was that tone in her voice? She had never sounded like that before.

Slowly, carefully, as usual, Zeydan wrapped an arm around her waist. Aella’s body went pliant at once, so much so that she feared not being able to stay upright. But Zeydan’s arm was firm around her, pressing her to him.

Aella sucked in a breath at the solid press of his long body against hers. Automatically, she placed her hands on his chest, one right above his heart, and had to bite her lip so as not to trail his muscles under the warm silk of his shirt. Her stomach tightened with that sensation that she could only define as hunger.

“Warm enough?” Zeydan asked.

“Very,” Aella breathed out.

His green eyes didn’t leave hers as he banded both arms around her, pressing her even closer to him. The feel of her breasts against his muscular chest, even through their clothes, sent a flash of heat down her belly. Her breathing became embarrassingly fast just from that. But then she realized his chest was rising and falling faster as well, his breath warm against her forehead.

He leaned in closer. The tip of his nose brushed the bridge of hers. Aella arched up into him, their lips only two inches apart.

“You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you,” Zeydan said, his voice low, scratchy, and sweet like maple syrup. “That’s all I’ve been able to think about since that night.”

Aella knew exactly what night that was. “I think I do have a pretty good idea.”

He smiled, bending slightly closer just as Aella got on her tiptoes, the tips of their noses brushing. Aella didn’t know that could feel so intimate. But breathing in Zeydan’s peppermint-chocolate-scented breath sent sparks of fire flashing all over her already overheated body.

“May I kiss you?” Zeydan asked, his green eyes burning with want, his voice whisper-low and loaded with something molten.

“Yes,” Aella breathed out, but it was she who closed the small distance and brushed their lips together.

Soft. Zeydan’s lips were so soft, and yet firm, as he kissed her. Fire coursed through her veins. A fire that Zeydan kindled and burned—melted her fears of inexperience. Aella let out a small gasp, her hands taking a life of their own as they sank into Zeydan’s hair and she drew him closer.

---