Page 147 of Halfblood Deceived

“What can I get you lovebirds tonight?” the woman asked, her voice carrying a mellow accent Aella had never heard before. “A cup of mushroom tea? Coffee? Cocoa?”

Lovebirds. Aella bit her lip, not knowing what to make of that. Did she and Zeydan look like a couple to other people? It seemed so.

Zeydan seemed wonderfully unconcerned about the implication. He merely tilted his head toward the several metallic thermoses and gave Aella an inquiring look.

“Cocoa, please,” she said.

The woman hummed. “Same for you, Your Grace?”

Zeydan blinked.

Witch, Aella’s senses whispered at that moment.

The woman flashed Zeydan a smile that showed a golden tooth. “Worry not, Your Grace. I know how to make it for you.”

Zeydan bowed his head at the woman. “Then yes, thank you.”

Aella still found it odd that vampires could have cocoa, even if it was laced with sheep blood. According to the church, vampires were living dead, so all food for the living would poison them. She knew better now, of course. Diana had explained that like humans, vampires were sensitive to certain foods. Most couldn’t have solids in general, aside from very small portions of raw or medium-rare meat. But all rules were off with halfbloods, such as Zeydan.

He paid for their beverages, insisting the mysterious woman kept the change, even though it was a 100-dollar bill.

They continued on their way in silent agreement.

Aella all but moaned at the taste of the rich, thick cocoa. “This tastes like liquid magic.”

Zeydan took a sip of his cocoa, jade eyes going wide. “Agreed.”

She bit her lip, launching a look at the witch, who winked at her. Once the path bent and the witch was out of sight, Aella whispered. “You don’t think she put a spell on these, right?”

Zeydan half smiled. “No. She uses her magic on the brewing to enhance the flavors, but no dangerous spells. I’d be able to tell.”

“Do you have magic?” Aella asked.

“Most royal vampires do,” Zeydan said. “I have a bit more than usual, thanks to my mother. She comes from an ancient bloodline that has certain magical skills.”

Aella sipped some more cocoa. “Is your mother alive?”

Zeydan nodded. “Alive and happy, living in the tundra with her two wives.” He gave her a carefully curious look, measuring her reaction.

Her eyes went round. “Call me a traditionalist, but I think one spouse is more than enough. I mean, can you imagine two people snoring in your ears?”

Zeydan laughed, shoulders relaxing and double canines flashing. “That is definitely a drawback,” he teased. “And no, I am very single-minded in that area. I am certain I can only fall in love with one person. My mother and her wives are madly in love and blissful, though. So they are living proof that braving the dual snore concerts is more than worth it for some.”

Aella smiled into her cup, sipping more of her cocoa. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in love. But I’m sure I’m with you in that aspect.”

Through her conversations with Kamilla, Aella had realized something she’d always known, but hadn’t admitted to herself—she’d never loved Micah. She had prayed to god to help her love Micah, but it never happened. Now, knowing that Micah had never done anything that wasn’t abusing her in every possible way, Aella wanted to slap her past self for ever wanting to love Micah.

She swallowed hard, feeling the edges of reality blurring. The park, with its trees full of fairy lights and Zeydan, went out of focus.

Aella shook her head, but her sight remained cloudy.

Panic rising, she remembered she hadn’t brought one of her potions.

A warm hand cupped her face. “Breathe, Aella. You are safe,” Zeydan said.

Aella obeyed him.

He gently placed her limp, cold left hand against his chest, right above his heart.

---