Cousin Vs Cousin

[Aera’s POV]

"Does it matter why we are together?" I ask before Ayla can respond. "Is that any of your business?"

I didn’t know what the hell I was doing jumping in, but I couldn’t ignore the hostility that was beginning to form on Celia’s face.

"As her family, it is," Celia responds slowly.

It was no surprise that she would be like this toward me, especially given what I said to her before she came running to the capitol to hide. She knew that I knew she was behind that damn bet, and I was sure she didn’t expect me to tell Ayla about it. That was most likely why she was so surprised to see us together.

"Family," I scoff, unable to hide my disgust toward her using that word. "Some family you are."

"Aera," Ayla murmurs, reaching out and touching my arm. "I can handle this."

"Are you sure?" I ask, giving her a look of concern. "Even in your condition?"

"Yeah," she responds simply. "Celia, why weren’t you honest with me from the beginning?"

A look of shock crosses Celia’s face at Ayla’s