Page 152 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella swallowed hard, meeting her sister’s gaze. “Nothing has ever felt so right.”

Diana gave her a melancholic smile. “There you go then.”

“But I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what, sweetheart?” Diana asked. “Afraid of Zeydan? Did he scare you?” Something fierce flashed in her eyes.

“Aside from that time when we first met and fought, I’ve never been afraid of him,” Aella hurried to answer, breathing out when Diana visibly relaxed. “I’m afraid that he doesn’t feel the same way.”

Diana smiled. “Aella, honey. The way he looks at you leaves absolutely no room to doubt that the feeling is very much mutual.”

A warm spark of hope lit up in Aella’s chest. “Really?”

“Really,” Diana said, giving Aella’s hands a reassuring squeeze.

“But I’m a gargoyle, and Zeydan is a vampire,” Aella said. “A relationship between a vampire and a gargoyle is taboo for both of our species, isn’t it?”

Diana smiled. “Yes. But nothing feels better than doing something forbidden.” She wiggled her eyebrows, but then turned serious again. “And you wouldn’t be the first. I know a gargoyle/vampire couple. They’re friends with Sebastian.”

Aella’s eyebrows shoot up. “Wow.”

Diana hummed. “Now, I know we’ve talked about consent before, but I want to make sure you know you don’t have to ever do anything you don’t want. And if Zeydan gets pushy, you are completely entitled to kick him in the balls.”

Aella blushed. “I—I don’t think he would. He’s always been careful with me.”

Diana nodded approvingly. “Good. But just in case, if he makes you uncomfortable, and you feel scared in any way, just let me know and I’ll kick his ass for you, alright?”

“Um, okay,” Aella agreed.

“Now, if things get serious, and more… intimate, is there something you want to know?”

Aella’s eyes went wide with horror. She shook her head.

Diana’s lips pursed. “I know we were taught women and females shouldn’t feel any sexual desire, but that is utter bullshit. It’s completely natural, but I know there’s probably a lot you need to learn. So you can ask me anything you like. However, you should wait until you are ready, if you are ready.”

Aella felt tempted to bolt and hide in the bathroom. “Diana, I know you mean well, but you aren’t helping me. I—I can’t talk about this with you.”

Diana tried to put up a brave face, but Aella could see the hurt in her blue eyes.

She squeezed Diana’s hands. “I said that wrong. What I mean is that you are more than a friend to me. You are my sister, my family, and I feel very odd talking to you about those things.”

Diana smiled genuinely at that and pulled Aella in for a hug. “I understand, honey. I think I’d feel the same way.” She pulled back, wiping the tracks of tears on Aella’s cheeks with her thumbs. “You have other friends. You can ask Kamilla and Aylana if you want. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Or go to the clinic and talk to a professional.”

Aella wrinkled her nose. “I think we are getting way ahead of ourselves here. We don’t even know if Zeydan wants more than friendship with me.” Aella sighed. “And I don’t know if I am capable of more than friendship. Even with him.”

Diana bit her lip. “Of course. And you shouldn’t rush into anything, either. I just want to make sure that you are ready for any scenario. Contrary to what some believe, I think we should prepare ourselves even for things we don’t expect. That way we are ready, and less prone to be afraid. Ignorance is never, ever bliss.”

Aella took a deep breath. “I agree with you, and I promise to get some help if I need it, but I just want to see what happens for now, alright?”

“Of course,” Diana agreed. “Hungry?”

Aella’s stomach gave Diana its roaring answer.

Diana chuckled. “Come on, let’s make enough bolognese to feed a small family.”

“We are a small family,” Aella said.

Diana kissed her cheek. “We definitely are.”

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