Page 346 of Halfblood Deceived

“And how can you tell if someone is innocent or not?” Isaiah asked and then cringed. “Sorry. You must be tired, and I’m keeping you from resting or going back to your friends.”

Aella shook her head. “You are my friend, too. I get how you feel. And I don’t know. Maybe you’re asking the wrong person. My moral compass sort of took a full 180 in no time. But, personally, I think true good people can’t sit and watch their friends, family, or church commit atrocities. I think a good person wouldn’t help others torture a child. Or kill a child, just because they’re from a different species.”

Isaiah sighed. “I think you’re right. But… I need time.”

Aella smiled. “You have time. And you have me. You can talk to me.”

“I will, thank you,” he promised, squeezing Aella’s hand before releasing her. “Now go back inside with your, let’s admit it, absolutely deranged new family.”

Aella laughed and stood. “Okay. I’m glad you’re here, Isaiah.”

He smiled. “So am I.”

Aella went back inside.

She found Zeydan leaning against the balustrade.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes. Just helping out an old friend with some conflicting thoughts.”

Zeydan stretched a hand toward her. Aella took it, and she found herself wrapped in his arms. She pressed her nose against his neck and took his scent into her lungs.

“Do you want to go back to the dining room?” he asked.

Aella shook her head. “I—I want to be alone with you. In my room. If you want.”

Zeydan pulled back slightly to give her the smile that shut down most of her brain cells. “I do want.” He took her hand and led her upstairs.

Aella felt a bit as if she were doing something illicit.

And she loved it.

CHAPTER 63

Aella kicked her tennis shoes off and excused herself to the bathroom the second they got inside her room. She brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth more times than necessary. She was nervous, but more certain than ever.

She wanted Zeydan. And she was going to have him tonight. Well, if he felt like it, that was.

Her reflection in the mirror showed her too-large gray eyes with dilated pupils and a flush that the cool water didn’t calm. Her heart pumped hard. Anticipation ran wild through her veins.

She noticed a small box in the middle of the counter between the two sinks that hadn’t been there before. Curious, she opened the lid, and her eyes widened at the sight of the familiar blue potions, a pack of condoms, and a jar of clear lube.

“Oh, goddess,” Aella muttered, amused, grateful, and horrified all at once. She wondered who had put the box there—Mari, Kamilla, Aylana?

Best not to think about it; she mused, downing a blue potion.

She left the bathroom.

Zeydan was crouching by the fireplace, adding an extra log to the already-lit mound of wood.

The scent was pleasant and so was the warmth.

He’d closed the dark blue curtains, but kept the French doors open.

“So, you guys aren’t actually going to move, right?” Aella blurted, wrapping the hem of her sweater around one finger. How do you ask your partner to make love to you? Help. She cleared her throat. “I mean, Kamilla loves having you guys here.”

Zeydan smiled and stood, approaching her, barefooted. He’d left his shoes by the door too. “She and Kerian have insisted we stay permanently, to Luce’s delight. And we’ve accepted.”

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