Naturally, Lilith found her gift for Fenryn with ease—discovered it in the second shop we visited. A stunning ring with a band of aquamarine gems encircling its center. It’s a ring I can envision Fenryn wearing. Right now, it sits in a small wooden box tucked away in the pocket of her dark green cloak.
“Familiar, comforting, safe,” Lilith repeats the three words I used earlier to describe the way my bond with Rycfeels.
Apparently, that’s how an appropriate gift of silver is found. Chapter Two ofThe Joiningdetails the process of reflecting upon the bond and what it means. My failure to read the book became keenly obvious to Lilith within the first ten minutes of our venture.
Rather than let it go, I endured Lilith’s lilting lecture—insisting I reflect upon the bond in her company. Begrudgingly, I listened and offered the three words if only to silence her.
In that silence, I still continued to reflect.
The gift has to remind me of Ryc.
It has tofeellike him.
I don’t quite understand how silver canfeellike aperson.
“I can see all of those things,” Lilith interrupts my thoughts again, beaming a smile at me as we walk. “It’s like he’s compelled to protect. And I’m sure I didn’t help matters.” She turns her face forward, into the cold wind.
I don’t know enough of the history between Lilith and Ryc aside from what he’s shared recently regarding his ascension. In that small glimpse, he protected her—from the council and a demon-bound king.
Finishing the last of my raspberry and lemon tart, I shove my fingers into a pocket as I sip at my now cold tea.
It was warm.
Roughly an hour ago.
I neglected drinking it then in favor of using it as a source of warmth. I should have worn gloves. Lesson learned.
My fingers are frozen.
My face is frozen.
I am frozen.
And winter has yet to officially arrive.
“There’s bound to be a piece that speaks to you,” Lilith says as she lifts her lidded cup of hot chocolate to her lips.
Perhaps it’s simply chocolate now.
It would be impossible for it to still be hot.
She sips. “It might take time, but I’m confident we’ll find it.”
“I’m still struggling with understanding how a ring will feel like Ryc,” I reply.
The whole notion is ridiculous.
A ring is a ring.
A person is a person.
“You’ll see,” Lilith quips gleefully. “When you find it, you’ll know.Enjoythe process,the hunt,” she laughs.
This is unlike any hunt I’ve participated in.
“There’s nothing enjoyable about this,” I reply, bristling against the cold. “I cannot feel my fingers, my toes, nor my face.”
Lilith’s golden laughter floats through the sparsely crowded street.
