Page 180 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella knew Kamilla understood her so well because she had gone through horrible ordeals herself. She hadn’t dared to ask, but she had the feeling Kamilla would probably tell her when she was ready to know.

She took a deep breath, laying her forehead on Kamilla’s shoulder. The vampiress immediately wrapped her in a warm embrace. Aella breathed deeply, the lingering icy ache in her chest melting. One more of those invisible nooses around her neck evaporated, leaving her feeling lighter.

She straightened and smiled at Kamilla, knowing better than to thank her again, but hoping to convey her endless gratitude with her eyes alone.

Kamilla gave her an indulgent smile and kissed her forehead again, placing a lock of red hair behind Aella’s ear.

Aella glanced at the clock on the wall behind the desk and gasped. “I’m so late!”

Kam shrugged, completely unconcerned. “I heard your boss is an understanding female.”

Aella smiled. “She’s my favorite person in the world, along with my sister.” Kam gave her a soft smile. Aella stood. “But if she keeps being so lenient with me, my coworkers will hate me. May I use the bathroom?”

Kam waved a hand toward it. “Always. And considering I’ve been just as lenient with their needs, I see no reason they should begrudge you for being late sometimes.”

Aella wrinkled her nose. Tell that to Brittany, she thought. The blonde had made several jabs about the two days Aella had been off work after the witch’s attack.

She closed the bathroom door and used the facilities before washing her hands and face, but she remained puffy and red.

Kamilla looked as hopelessly stylish as ever when Aella came out of the bathroom, the wet spot in her dress gone.

“I wish I could use magic to get my tomato face back to normal,” Aella said.

Kam hummed, approaching and cupping Aella’s face, casting a soft spell.

She blinked, the pain in her eyelids gone. “Vampire princess and genie too?”

Kamilla chuckled, sitting on the edge of her desk. “I am a female of many talents.”

“You definitely are.” Aella took a bracing breath, relishing the lack of pain in her chest. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, yes?”

“Definitely,” Kamilla confirmed.

Aella nodded and left the office, practically skipping down the stairs and greeting Vaz with a wide smile that made him blink at her.

Aella held back a laugh and ducked inside the staff room.

She wasn’t ready to see Zeydan yet, but she would be. And that was more than enough.

CHAPTER 37

It was a busy night, and Kamilla wasn’t around.

Aella tried to swallow down her nerves and pretend she wasn’t missing Kamilla so much it almost ached. She hated the thought of becoming clingy, but she always felt safer knowing Kamilla was near.

The vampire princess had been unavailable all afternoon. She’d called Aella to let her know they wouldn’t be able to have their usual talk. Aella had assured her it was okay, that arranging territory negotiations between a vampire clan and a witch coven took precedence. And she’d meant it too, but now she was a jumpy, anxious mess.

Gods, how had she become so dependent on spewing her thoughts to Kamilla five afternoons a week?

She felt embarrassed by it.

To make matters worse, Diana was in Kamilla’s office holding a meeting with two suppliers. So Aella felt… lonely.

She shook her head, angry at herself, and focused on her tasks. Taking orders, cleaning tables, and dodging sozzled people.

“Come closer, blondie, I don’t bite,” said a leering male voice. “Unless you want me to.”

Aella’s head whipped toward the sound.

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