Page 219 of Halfblood Deceived

The vampire princess arched a brow. “You are entitled to medical leave after almost dying, Aella. If you were human, you’d need months, maybe a full year of recovery, and I would pay you just the same.”

That sounded reasonable, but Aella still felt as if she were being punished. And then something occurred to her. “Are you trying to protect the others from collateral damage in case somebody tries to kill me again? Have I become a danger to them?”

Kamilla shook her head. “No. Aroth helped me modify the wards in Hecate. If someone under a spell tries to enter, we’ll know. We aren’t sure how the fuck someone managed to sneak in a firearm, but we’re going to strengthen the security checks at the entrance. Hecate will become the safest place you could be, aside from Diana’s home and the manor. I am worried about you. About the possible consequences of returning to a place where you were hurt.”

Aella blinked. Oh.

Kam was worried she’d develop new triggers for her PTSD and panic attacks.

And it made sense.

Aella wasn’t sure if she would indeed find returning to Hecate traumatic.

“You will at least take the rest of this month to recover,” Kamilla said in a tone that brokered no argument.

Aella nodded, then blinked. “Wait. What date is it?”

“October the sixteenth,” Diana answered. Aella jolted slightly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Has anyone ever mentioned you are a terrible liar?” Zeydan asked wryly.

Aella wrinkled her nose. “I’m actually not that bad when I really need to lie.”

They all gave her curious, expectant looks. Even Andreas in his particular scowly way.

Aella relented. “Today is my birthday.”

Luce gasped. “What number?”

“Twenty-five,” Aella answered.

The others were just as stunned, Diana included.

“You told me you didn’t know what your birth date was,” her sister remarked.

Aella gave her a sheepish smile. “See? I can lie when I need to?”

“Why would you lie about something like that?” Diana asked, brow tight with confusion.

Aella cringed, finding comfort and fortitude in the soft caress of Zeydan’s thumb over her knuckles. “Because the only time someone tried to properly celebrate it, it ended in disaster. And I’ve been told more than once that it isn’t worth celebrating.”

“The day you were born deserves no celebration,” the priests and nuns who raised her had told her all her life.

And she had agreed with them, eventually.

“Well, that’s fucking bullshit,” Mari said with a scowl. “I mean, sure, this one is not ideal because you are sore, bedridden, and peeing through a catheter. But we can postpone the celebration until you’re feeling better. Today is not only the anniversary of the day you were born. But also the day you woke up like a battle-worn survivor after almost being killed by a fucking maniac again. That calls for a special day where everyone spoils you, and you eat too much cake as it fucking ought to be.”

Everyone stared at Mari, torn between amusement and dismay.

Aella giggled. She couldn’t help it. Zeydan shook his head at Mari, lips curled into a wry smile.

“Gods dammit, Mari,” Gabby admonished, but she was failing to hide a grin.

“You have such a unique way with words, Marigold,” Andreas drawled. “Shall I throw a stapler at your head as well?”

“Only if you are ready to say goodbye to your balls, arsehole,” Mari threatened.

---