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“Oh.”

“I can sense your weakness, Juniper, and I think it’s time we had that talk we’ve been avoiding.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“The spells are draining you.”

She grimaced. “I know. You’re right. I’ve beenthinking about it too. Blood might be the only way I’ll be able to keep going at this pace. But does it have to be Danny’s blood?”

Adriel stilled. The repugnant thought of Juniper’s first feeding coming from that greasy male mortal’s vein was unacceptable. It should be with someone she trusted. She supposed Dane could do it, but that also wasn’t ideal. His blood was relatively mild compared to… “I will do it. My blood is strongest.”

Juniper dropped her gaze, and uncertainty nipped at Adriel.

“If you would prefer a male?—”

“No, it’s not that. I’d rather it be you. I’m just, nervous, I guess. What if my body rejects it?”

“It won’t. Even basic mortals can digest our blood with little issue.”

“But what if I don’t like it?”

“You have immortality in your veins, June. Chances are you’ll like it.”

She blushed. “What if I like it too much?”

Now, it was Adriel’s turn to blush. “Juniper, there’s no shame in meeting your natural needs. Your body has likely been starving for proper sustenance. If you enjoy it, that’s probably why.”

“My aunts warned me this day would come. It just feels…awkward.”

“It’s just us here. There’s no reason to feel self-conscious. I’ll help you.” Adriel rolled up her sleeve and gave Juniper a nervous smile. Now, she was the one suddenly self-conscious. “Are you ready?”

Their gazes met, and an intense understanding passed between them. This would be Juniper’s first time, a moment she might never forget. Adriel wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.

“I’ll…open the vein for you, then all you need to do is drink. The rest will come naturally.”

Juniper swallowed and gave a tight nod, shifting to sit up on the bed. “I’m ready.”

Adriel’s fangs elongated, but she hesitated. “Before we start, can you check the protection spell? Feeding tends to leave us a bit vulnerable.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Sorry. It must have shifted when I lost consciousness. I fixed it.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s replenish your strength.” She bit into her wrist, and a slow trickle seeped from the twin punctures. “Go ahead.”

The bed shifted as Juniper leaned forward, her stare bouncing from Adriel’s wrist to her face. The soft scent of vulnerability tinged the air as the braid adorned with the feather draped past Juniper’s shoulder. When the downy tip grazed Adriel’s skin, her breath caught.

At first, she assumed the scent of vulnerability came from Juniper, but she realized it was her own uncertainty she sensed. Light and sweet, she couldn’t recall the last time anyone drew such a scent from her.

“I’m a bit nervous,” she admitted, surprised by the response she was having to her nearness.

Juniper looked up at her, her eyes unsure. “Why? If you don’t want to do this, Ade?—”

“I want to.” Perhaps she wanted to do this more than she’d admitted. “Go ahead.”

Something unspoken passed between them. Adriel’s gaze dropped to the racing pulse below her jaw. The sweet air darkened with a heady scent she didn’t recognize as her insides warmed like hot honey.

The delicate, feminine scent of Juniper’s hair perfumed the air between them as she leaned closer. Adriel’s breath turned shallow and caught at the first touch of her mouth to her skin. She swallowed, unsure why her emotions were riding on a razor’s edge of sensation.

The first sweep of her tongue might as well have been across her lips. The sensation of her mouth closing over her wrist was so sharp and erotic, Adriel started to panic. She nearly pulled away, but Juniper’s grip tightened.