Page 326 of Halfblood Deceived

“She’s not your guinea pig, Mari,” Zeydan protested half-heartedly, tracing Aella’s pink, freckled cheeks with his thumbs. His stomach tightened with relief and something almost hungry he had no name for.

Mine; growled a possessive voice in his head. Mine. She’s mine.

He swallowed hard.

His face prickled, and he reluctantly looked up to see Kamilla and Mari giving him amused looks.

He rolled his eyes at both.

Diana cleaned her cheeks and sniffed. “So, in English, she’s out of the danger zone?”

Kamilla gave her a gentle smile. “Yes, darling. You can breathe again.”

Diana all but panted, closing her eyes and rubbing at her chest with her palm.

Zeydan knew how she felt.

“We should make her more comfortable,” Kamilla said.

“We should,” Mari agreed, placing her hands on her hips and fixing Zeydan with a stern look. “Which means you need to get out of here.”

“I’ve seen her naked before, Mari,” Zeydan reminded her.

Mari narrowed her eyes at him. “Does it look like I care?”

Zeydan exhaled a long, frustrated breath. “You are being ridiculous.”

Mari pointed at the door, which opened, letting in Aylana.

“How’s our girl doing?” the werewolf-fey asked. “Everyone’s freaking out a bit.”

“Her change has fully settled,” Kamilla told her with a smile. “She needs rest, but she will be perfectly fine.”

Mari snapped her fingers. A flash of verdant magic later, the blood on Zeydan’s armor and the floor was gone. “Can you stay and help us make her feel more comfortable, Aylana?”

Aylana nodded. “Of course.”

“Zeydan will give everyone the good news,” Kamilla said in her patented bossy tone, hands on her hips, just like Mari.

Zeydan arched a brow at her. “Fine.”

“And you should find a host,” Mari added.

Zeydan pretended he hadn’t heard that last part and gave Diana’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leaving the room.

He blinked at the sight of his family and friends in the hall. Even Aroth had arrived. Isaiah was keeping some distance from the others, arms crossed over his stomach.

Luce had Aiko hugged tightly to her side. They sat on the plush bench placed against the wall, while the others stood.

Gabby rushed toward Zeydan, blue dress floating behind her, and hugged his side. He returned the embrace at once. “How is she?” she asked.

Evan moved away from the wall, expression tight with anxiety. “Is she ill?”

Sebastian’s brow was furrowed with concern “Did they poison her? I can smell her blood on you. It’s… unusual.”

The others gave him questioning, worried looks. Even Andreas.

Zeydan placed a kiss on Gabby’s forehead before answering. “Aella will be fine after getting some rest.” He let out a long breath. “She vomited a large amount of infected blood. We don’t know if she’s been poisoned.”

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