Page 222 of Halfblood Deceived

Reese stretched out a large tattooed hand, cupping Aella’s cheek. “You could have died too. You would be dead without Zeydan’s help. I—I would have taken your place gladly, Aella. And you are worth it.”

Aella didn’t know what to say to that.

“You are more than worth getting shot at,” they repeated, voice low and scratchy. “Don’t ever let anyone say the opposite. Not even that cruel voice in your head.”

Aella released a breath. “How do you know about the voice in my head?”

Reese smiled softly. “Because I have one too, darling.”

She opened her mouth and closed it, gulping. Reese was comfortable in their skin and confident in a way Aella might never be. But there was something haunted in their eyes sometimes. Aella wondered who had hurt her friend.

Reese brushed Aella’s cheekbone with their thumb. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see those beautiful eyes again.”

Aella smiled. “Thank you. I am glad to see you, too.”

Reese opened their mouth to say something but then closed their eyes. Aella felt an echo of the tight ache in their chest.

“What?” she prompted softly. “You can tell me.”

Reese fixed their dark blue eyes on Aella’s. “I don’t know what I would have done with myself if you’d died. It would have broken my heart.”

Aella’s mind whirled. She inhaled sharply and then released her breath in a noisy rush. “I—um.”

A corner of Reese’s mouth turned up. “You are hopelessly falling for Zeydan and want nothing to do with me? I know that, darling.”

Aella cupped Reese’s hand with hers, swallowing hard. “Yes. No. I mean yes to falling for Zeydan.” Goddess, she couldn’t believe she had admitted that aloud. Almost dying can make you braver, she thought. “But no to wanting nothing to do with you. We can still be friends, right?”

Reese blinked, running a hand through the thick waves of their dark hair. “Yes, of course we can. If you still want to.”

Aella frowned. “Why wouldn’t I want to?”

“Because my being in love with you might make you uncomfortable?” they asked. Their throat bobbed, eyes wary, and broad shoulders tense as if they were expecting to receive a physical blow.

Aella thought about it. “I won’t be uncomfortable as long as there isn’t any, um, romantic physical contact.” She bit her lip. “I mean, you are my friend and you can touch me just… you know.” She cringed. “Sorry.”

Reese smiled. There was something sad in their eyes, but their tension seemed to evaporate. “Again, you must never be sorry for setting your boundaries, Aella. Your friendship is more than enough. I appreciate it. I just—” They sighed. “I just wanted to let you know the truth. Maybe it was selfish of me.”

Aella mulled it for a moment. “Maybe. But we are all a bit selfish when it comes to our feelings. And I think I might have done the same in your place.”

Reese let out a soft breath, leaning their forehead against Aella. “Thank you.”

Aella smiled. “You’re welcome.”

They leaned in closer, silently asking for permission.

Aella nodded.

Reese kissed her cheek and pulled back. “I’ll leave you to rest. If you ever need me, I’m a phone call away.”

She smiled. “Thank you. Get some rest.”

They nodded and headed for the door, opening it to reveal Aylana and Sebastian. The latter had his hand up as if he’d been about to knock.

“Duke Dragomir, Duchess Aylana,” Reese greeted with a dip of their chin.

“Reese,” Sebastian greeted, standing behind Aylana to allow Reese to pass.

Aylana exchanged a fist bump with Reese, who gave Aella a parting smile before disappearing down the hall.

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