Under those sharp, icy blue eyes that seemed capable of freezing them right down to their souls, both Jacob and Diaz stiffened as though they had just been caught committing a crime despite doing absolutely nothing.
A small drop of sweat trickled down Jacob's back, but he stubbornly held his head high, revealing nothing beyond the calm facade he had spent so long perfecting.
Just as Aliana and Gavriel climbed the stairs leading to the entrance, Jacob's view was abruptly blocked when Portia and Alester stepped between the two couples.
Without hesitation, they pulled the pair into warm embraces, giving Jacob and Diaz the much-needed relief of no longer being subjected to Gavriel's cold, unyielding stare.
"Ah, you both finally made it!" Portia exclaimed as she wrapped Gavriel in a warm, welcoming embrace.
Meanwhile, Alester pulled Aliana into a hug and murmured, "Your mother and I were getting worried that you wouldn't be able to make it in time."
