[Ianthe sensed the blood before she smelled the sea, lifting her head to observe in that moment. Such a thing wasn't uncommon in the Third House, sacraments and ablution and prayers baked into the Empire's culture even if some Houses were more about lip-service than actual faith.
Her hand was already reaching for those bloodied fingers when Gilia spoke, bringing them to her lips to kiss them. Sacredly. Gently.
And then she took the fingers into her mouth to taste the blood, savor it, discover if it tasted of the sea as much as it smelled of it. Tongue gently cleansing the fingers, it wasn't intended to be sensual but it wasn't not by its very nature.]
Re: cw: mild-ish blood sacrifices
Her hand was already reaching for those bloodied fingers when Gilia spoke, bringing them to her lips to kiss them. Sacredly. Gently.
And then she took the fingers into her mouth to taste the blood, savor it, discover if it tasted of the sea as much as it smelled of it. Tongue gently cleansing the fingers, it wasn't intended to be sensual but it wasn't not by its very nature.]