Page 174 of Halfblood Deceived

She tossed her work clothes into the washing machine. Diana would add hers later, as usual. Zeydan’s coat was clean and, taking advantage of the privacy, Aella buried her nose in the soft wool and inhaled. Warmth blossomed in her chest and belly.

Feeling creepy, she shook her head and checked her reflection in the mirror, and sucked in a surprised breath. Same messy ponytail she had tied in the afternoon, the same clean of makeup face she had seen many times before. But there was something different. It took her a moment to figure out it was her eyes. The nervous excitement and almost happiness bubbling up in her chest were reflected in her dilated pupils and bright gray irises. Her skin was fair as usual—she seemed immune to developing a healthy suntan like Diana—but not deathly pale. And her cheeks were pink, making her freckles pop.

She didn’t look half as terrible as she had before.

Aella took a deep breath, kicking the memories aside. Her past had no place here. She wouldn’t let it steal this moment from her.

With Zeydan’s coat folded over one arm, Aella made her way downstairs, being met with the tantalizing scent of cocoa.

Zeydan was placing two cups on the counter, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Aella stopped breathing as she detailed the outline of his muscles and veins. The pads of her fingers tingled as her mind supplied her with images and phantom sensations of what it would be like to trace every tantalizing line.

She’d been curious about forearms before, whenever Reese rolled up their sleeves, but never quite like this. Something warm and demanding settled in her stomach, speeding her pulse.

“Aella?” Zeydan asked.

She blinked, and met his eyes, feeling more blood rushing to her cheeks with his knowing look and half smile.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Um, yes, sure.” She hurried to place his coat on the backrest of a chair at the dining table and sat on a barstool.

Zeydan pushed the cup of creamy cocoa toward her and then came around the island, sitting beside her and taking a sip from his dark cocoa.

So close, he’s so close, she thought, feeling his body heat and that tight but pleasant feeling in her very center. Her throat went dry, so she drank a gulp of perfectly hot cocoa and hummed in delight, surprised to find that Zeydan knew exactly how sweet she liked it.

He half turned toward her and she imitated him, thrilling at the causal brush of their knees through two layers of clothes.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

She nodded. “Much.”

He tilted his head, his eyes straying to her neck. “The burn marks are mostly gone, only a bit of redness remains.” He reached out carefully, keeping his hand hovering near her neck, asking for permission to touch her.

Aella bit her lip and nodded. Her pulse jumped as Zeydan trailed the back of his fingers from her neck to her collar with utter gentleness. “It doesn’t even sting anymore.” Her voice came breathless to her own ears.

Zeydan let his hand fall. “I’m glad.”

Aella almost grabbed his hand and placed it on her face, neck, or shoulder, just somewhere. She had never wanted someone to touch her more than she did at that moment. But she couldn’t just ask him to. Well, she could, but part of her feared he’d be uncomfortable.

Zeydan’s green gaze bore an intensity that felt like a caress. He detailed every inch of her face as if memorizing her.

They finished their cocoas in silence, but not an uncomfortable one, despite the way the very air between them felt electrified.

Aella washed the cups and put them to dry on the rack. Zeydan had drifted toward the bookshelves.

“Which are yours?” he asked as he skimmed the titles.

“The ones on the left,” Aella said, approaching.

He moved toward the larger shelf Diana had bought to store Aella’s growing collection of school books and fantasy novels.

Zeydan ran a long elegant finger down the spine of a book titled No means no, you fucking idiot. Aylana had gifted it to Aella about a week ago. The book was hilarious in parts, but also poignant and devastatingly honest. Aella had to pause in her reading a few times as she realized more than ever before just how many things had been done to her without her consent.

“Gabby gave this one to Luce a few months ago,” Zeydan said.

“Was Andreas upset?” she asked. “There are some passages that are… not exactly explicit but very…”

“Raw?” Zeydan finished. Aella nodded. “Andreas read it too, we all did, actually. But no, he didn’t mind. He wants Luce to be well aware of her right to defend herself in any situation.” Zeydan sighed. “Andreas is afraid of Luce growing up too fast. We all are, to be honest. But there is no stopping Luce from being, well, Luce.” He half smiled at that. “We’d all be irresponsible if we didn’t give her all the tools she needs to fend for herself if we’re not there to protect her.”

---