Page 80 of Halfblood Deceived

Kerian followed Aroth down the hall that had about ten doors. The demon stopped in front of one and pushed Kerian against it, planting a kiss on the vampire prince’s mouth without any preamble. Kerian kissed back, smiling, and opened the door, backstepping into the room and dragging Aroth inside.

“That was… unexpected,” Zeydan commented.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “Unexpected how?”

“I thought Kerian was more private about his… liaisons.”

Sebastian was scowling now. “Kerian is not heterosexual, that’s not a secret. What’s the point of leaving the fucking courts if we don’t detach ourselves from their antiquated ways?”

Alright, now Zeydan was offended. “First of all, I’m not heterosexual either. Second, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that, considering Kerian and Kamilla’s status and reputation, whomever they choose as partners will be in danger.”

As would be whomever Zeydan chose. His father had connections all over the planet. This is why Zeydan and Gabby had lived a mostly nomadic life until they met Lex and Evan, and then Andreas.

Sebastian relaxed. “I shouldn’t have assumed. And yeah, it’s dangerous, I won’t deny it. But Darkwood is mostly safe. It’s the place where Milla and Kerian can be themselves. Also, Aroth and Kerian don’t have a serious relationship. And if they did, I’d be more worried about what would happen to any idiot who thought they could hurt Aroth to get to Kerian.” Sebastian chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare piss off Aroth.”

Zeydan’s eyebrows shot up. “He’s that powerful?”

“Yep,” Sebastian confirmed, refilling their glasses.

Zeydan took a sip of rum. “I should have phrased that better so as not to offend you.”

Sebastian gave Zeydan a friendly push with his shoulder. “No harm done.”

Just then, Zeydan noticed most females and males in the VIP area and downstairs were eyeing him more than Sebastian. Which was… odd. Sebastian was beautiful—there was no other way to describe him. But the supernatural females seemed reluctant to let their eyes linger on him too much.

“What?” Sebastian asked, noticing Zeydan’s exam.

“Why haven’t you gotten more offers?”

The blond laughed, platinum eyes bright with amusement. “Most of the members of the supernatural community know I’m happily and loyally mated to Aylana. And they also know the story of how Aylana single-handedly slayed an alpha werewolf without breaking a sweat.”

Zeydan blinked, his resolution about not pissing off Aylana solidifying. “Okay, I need to hear that story.”

“Luckily for you, I love telling that story,” Sebastian enthused.

* * *

Two bottles of rum, and ten more rounds of ‘Who’s not getting laid’—seven of which Sebastian won—later, Kerian and Aroth returned. The vampire prince looked utterly debauched and content, just like the demon, who planted a kiss on Kerian’s lips before heading downstairs toward the exit.

Kerian ran a hand through his messy waves as he sat in the armchair again. “What did I miss?”

“A retelling of Sebastian and Aylana’s insane story and the worst pickup lines ever,” Zeydan answered.

“Also Zeydan’s awkward but ever so polite rejections to four females, and two males,” Sebastian supplied with an unholy grin.

Zeydan rolled his eyes at him.

Kerian hummed. “And why did you reject them? Casual sex is an excellent distraction.”

“I’m not interested,” Zeydan admitted.

Both nosy buggers gave him curious looks.

The alcohol loosened his tongue. “I’m not fond of casual sex. Never been. I need to at least be friends with someone to feel any desire.”

Too much information, Zeydan thought, trying not to cringe. This particularity about himself had never sat well with people who wanted to take him to bed because they found him attractive or wanted something from him.

There was a name for it now. Gabby had explained it to him.

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