Page 190 of Halfblood Deceived

So that’s why she let me feed on her, he realized. Partly.

There was definitely something else there, but getting Mari to confess anything was impossible.

“We’ll always have each other’s backs, won’t we?” And save each other’s loved ones, he added mentally.

“Always,” Mari promised.

Zeydan leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Sweet dreams, weirdo.”

Mari hummed. “Enjoy your little trip across the forest, idiot.”

Zeydan laughed quietly.

Only Mari could make insults sound like endearments.

He left the room, leaning against the door and closing his eyes.

Maybe he could get a small nap before he had to go…

Zeydan’s face prickled with awareness.

He opened his eyes, almost jolting, as he found Andreas standing across from him. As usual, the grumpy vampire was dressed in tactical pants, and a long-sleeved sweater, and had his sword strapped to his back. He was also staring at Zeydan as if he wanted to dig a hole in his skull with the power of his glare.

“I could have broken your neck or harmed you in ten different ways before you noticed my presence,” Andreas said, tone more sour than usual.

Zeydan arched a brow. “Are you planning to attack me, Andreas?”

“I’m merely pointing out how you are getting yourself so worn out that your senses are lagging.” He tilted his head. “And what is it that you go off to do every night? What’s keeping you from resting properly?”

His pulse jumped. He was not telling Andreas. Mari and Gabby knew, but not because he’d told them. They were simply too damn good at meddling in his affairs.

“You sound like a parent,” Zeydan hedged. “Or a jealous boyfriend.”

Andreas scoffed. “You are not my type, Zeydan.”

Zeydan’s lips flickered. “That’s the second time I’ve heard that tonight. I’m starting to feel a bit offended.”

“You should get some sleep and feed properly before you get yourself killed,” Andreas said, nose twitching as he sniffed Zeydan. “Or before you give Marigold anemia.”

“I would never take too much.”

“She shouldn’t have given you anything at all,” Andreas snapped.

Zeydan stepped away from the door, not quite getting into Andreas’ personal space, but drawing closer. “She shouldn’t have?”

Andreas gritted his teeth. “She wouldn’t have needed to offer it if you weren’t so irresponsible. It’s beneath her station to allow you to use her as a host—”

“You are not turning her beautiful gift into something twisted, Andreas,” Zeydan warned, his temper flaring. Goddess, he knew why Andreas was being such an annoying little shit, and he wished he could scream it in the idiot’s face, but he knew he’d regret it. “It’s allegedly ‘beneath my station’ to use my blood to heal anyone I don’t intend to bond with. And there isn’t a single member of our family who hasn’t drank directly from my vein. Also, I don’t have to tell you what they would have done to both of us males back in our old courts for exchanging blood, and we’ve done so several times to save each other’s arses. So don’t bullshit me, Andreas.” He took a deep breath to calm himself. “We are a family. Status can go to Hell as far as I’m concerned.”

Andreas grimaced and turned his face, swallowing hard. “I know.”

“And I didn’t use Mari.” I’m fairly sure she used me, actually. “She was returning a favor.”

Andreas turned to give him a sharp look, brow furrowing. “And what favor is that?”

Zeydan shrugged. “Think, Andreas. What did I do recently that she could be grateful for?”

Andreas kept frowning as if Zeydan were one of those 6000-piece puzzles Luce loved.

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