Page 184 of Halfblood Deceived

Reese was quite a few inches taller than Aella and had several pounds of pure muscle on her as well. Aella had seen them overpower males of every species. Having the skill to make them breathe faster and sweat a little was so thrilling she ended up giggling.

A lot.

So much so that they had to stop sparring.

“Sorry,” Aella said, breathless. She leaned her back against the wall, pressing a hand against her forehead. “I think I’m a bit hysterical. Part of me thought I was terrible at this, and Aylana and Diana were just humoring me. I’m just so happy to see I don’t suck as much as I thought.”

Reese hummed. “You are rather good.” They bit their lip. “You’ve been quieter this past week. Almost sad. I’m happy to see you smile again.”

Aella sighed, wrinkling her nose, but a smile still played on her lips. “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

Reese stepped closer, placing a strand of red hair that had escaped Aella’s braid behind her ear. “I noticed. Feeling better now?”

“Yep, thanks,” Aella said. It wasn’t precisely a lie. She felt lighter at that moment, but she knew she was going back to her brooding once the adrenaline wore out.

Reese’s thumb traced the edge of Aella’s ear. “Good.”

A tiny shiver ran over Aella’s skin. It wasn’t unpleasant, far from it, but it was… confusing.

Reese’s eyes fell on Aella’s lips. The dark blue color turned almost black as their pupils dilated. Aella wouldn’t have recognized that look if she hadn’t seen it many times before in Sebastian’s eyes when he kissed Aylana.

Reese gently cupped Aella’s cheeks in their warm hands and leaned in closer. They smelled like soap, something earthy, and fresh sweat. Aella could feel their breath against her lips.

She inhaled sharply, tasting mint and the faintest trace of nicotine gum.

Curiosity and surprise warred inside Aella’s fuzzy head.

She could have moved.

Reese gave her time to move, but she didn’t, and then Reese was kissing her.

It was soft, tentative. Reese’s lips were gentle.

Aella’s heart pumped faster. Her cheeks warmed and her eyes widened.

Confusion raced through her veins as she tried to take stock of what she was feeling.

Not fear.

Or a thrill.

But something else.

Warmth. Pleasant warmth.

Why am I not scared? Why don’t I hate it? And why did I allow this to happen? Aella asked herself.

More questions popped into her head. Aella didn’t know how to answer them. Her surprise-induced paralysis broke, and she pulled back. She had little room to move away, with the wall against her back, but Reese put some distance between them immediately, releasing Aella’s face.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks,” Reese said.

Aella licked her lips nervously. “Really?”

“Really,” Reese confirmed. “I would love to do it again.”

Aella felt her stomach drop to her feet, and her chest tighten. “I can’t.”

A cold, nauseating wave of guilt hit her so hard she would have fallen if not for the solid brick wall. Gods, she kissed Reese. She kissed Reese after kissing Zeydan.

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