In the quiet study, Gavriel held Aliana's hand in his, his voice low as he warned her, "This will sting a little."
Aliana took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. I am ready."
Right before her eyes, Gavriel's fingernail elongated into a razor-sharp point.
Aliana squeezed her eyes shut the moment he brought it against her palm.
She flinched as a quick prick pierced her skin. A few drops of warm blood pooled from the shallow cut, dripping down onto the surface of the coffee table.
Before she could pull her hand back, her eyes flew open as a sudden, intense heat covered her palm.
Her heart skipped a beat as she watched Gavriel lick the blood from her skin. The moment his tongue swept over the cut, the wound closed, leaving her palm smooth and unblemished once more.
He lifted his gaze to meet hers, and Aliana felt her cheeks grow warm at the intimate gesture.
