Page 61 of Halfblood Deceived

Right, she was mere inches away from Kamilla Davashkov, and she was still alive. How was that possible?

Aella took in her surroundings to distract herself. She was in a king-size bed in a large bedroom with open French doors that let in the cool night air and pale moonlight. There was a garden one floor beneath. The fireplace flickered with orange flames that were reflected on the marble floor. The furniture and the walls were eggshell colored, with silver and blue accents on the drawn curtains and upholstery.

Looking down at herself, Aella realized she was clean of blood and wearing a white nightgown. Someone had washed her and dressed her again. It made her feel odd. No one had ever taken care of her like this since she had a memory.

That wasn’t the most pressing matter, however.

“Where am I?” Aella asked.

“Darkwood,” Kamilla Davashkov answered. “In the mansion I share with my brother, and now also with Zeydan’s family.”

Darkwood. The city full of supernaturals ruled by the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of vampires. Dubbed things like ‘the lion’s den,’ and ‘one of the most depraved cities on Earth’ by the gargoyles. A place where The Order of The Light could not go. Aella had heard the gargoyles complain about Darkwood’s impenetrable borders many times. And about the army that they’d need to defeat Kamilla and Kerian Davashkov.

Kamilla, the very female sitting inches away from Aella.

“How am I still alive?” Aella heard herself ask.

“Zeydan, Aylana, and Sebastian healed you,” Kamilla told her. “Zeydan used his blood to clear the poison from your system. Sebastian and Aylana used their magic to seal the wounds.”

Aella swallowed hard and met those striking topaz eyes. “I still think I should be dead.” She insisted, barely holding herself back from asking why they hadn’t let her die.

The vampiress hummed. “You probably would be without Zeydan, Sebastian, and Aylana’s help. But we are all happy you have survived.”

Aella felt strangely embarrassed. She tried to sit up, but her body wasn’t responding as it ought to. Her limbs felt deceptively light and alien.

Kamilla slid her arm around Aella’s shoulders and gently helped her sit. That put the vampiress close enough for Aella to inhale her scent—roses, white chocolate, lime, and light, delicious musk. So close that her breath brushed Aella’s neck. Her heart hammered so hard that she could feel it under her tongue.

Kamilla drew back, sitting beside her and arching a brow. “I know our reputation precedes us, especially among gargoyles. But you are safe with me and everyone else under this roof. I swear it.”

Aella believed her. She had no idea why or how, but she knew that the vampire princess was being honest.

“Thank you.” She tangled a piece of the long nightgown around her forefinger. “I need to use the bathroom.”

Kamilla stood. “I’ll help you.”

And she did.

She slid a lithe, strong arm under Aella’s shoulders and didn’t grow impatient even as it took Aella a couple minutes to walk to the bathroom. And what a bathroom it was. Double sinks, quartz counters, marble floors, and a bathtub large enough for three.

“Do you want me to go in and help you?” Kamilla asked.

“No!” Aella cringed at having almost screamed. “There is no need, thank you.”

Kamilla gave her a dubious nod, but didn’t push the subject.

Aella closed the door and held onto the counter, ignoring her reflection and taking measured steps toward the toilet. The pain in her upper abdomen and shaky limbs was manageable, almost nothing compared to the many aches she’d had to endure before. But she was weak, her knees all but gave up on her when she sat on the toilet.

Despite being mostly clean, Aella craved a warm shower. She gave a longing look at the spacious shower with crystal walls. Kamilla wouldn’t mind, would she? Aella hoped she wasn’t abusing the hospitality of the vampire princess. She took off the nightgown, hastily placed it on the counter, and stood on weak legs, almost face-planting on the marble as she entered the large cubicle.

The water was warm from the moment Aella opened the copper faucet. The rainfall spray was gentle on her skin, glorious even. She located metallic bottles. One was full of thick shower gel that smelled like vanilla and oatmeal, the other of honey and rosemary shampoo. Part of her tension melted away with the delicious clean scents. She used one hand to brace herself against the wall for support and washed her hair with the other with practiced ease. It was by far not the first time she had to shower while half incapacitated. The soapy water that fell from her head was brown with the crumbling dye.

Her left knee folded without warning and Aella fell to the floor on her backside, hitting the back of her head against the wall.

She clenched her teeth not to whimper. The fall had made the pain in her left side and upper abdomen more noticeable.

“Aella? Are you alright?” Kamilla asked, her voice slightly muffled by the door.

“Yes,” she lied. “I am.”

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