Chapter 6

“Third trial: the Choice of Renunciation.” The chief elder bore a stone plate. Upon it, a silver knife and a braided lock of hair—mine and Asher's twined, cut at our joining eight years ago. “Sever it. Feed it to the fire.” His eyes were ancient stone. “Then your bond is ended. No reconciliation. Ever.” I gripped the knife. Cold seeped into my palm. The braid lay between us, each strand wound with laughter, vows, warmth. I'd thought it would bind us to the end. “Leona! Look...