Her mind scrambled to come up with the answer to this puzzle, to know what was in his hands before he had unwrapped it. She did not like feeling off guard in this way, even if she was sure the surprise would be pleasant. Surprises were what got you killed back home and the need to know what was coming pulled hard at her gut.

Her breath drew in sharply when she saw the gifts he had chosen for her. The bracelet was beautiful, and she would have wished to put it on immediately, but the torc gave her such pause.

"Ash tree," she murmured, tracing one leaf with a feather light touch of her fingertip. "Gannicus, I--"

She loved it. It was lovely. He was lovely. But around her neck it seemed that it would be so heavy.