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"Now, when you have patrons in high society, you can send your arrangements to them directly," Amerlee said. "But I think Talin needs to open my present next."
One by one, we went around, with someone always begging for someone else to open one. The guys all ended up with the silly little things they'd never think to get themselves. A shaving kit for Eladehl, cravat pin for Talin, a new cravat - in black - for Wraythe. Then there was Anver. It seemed that piece by piece, Amerlee's entire family had purchased him a top-quality suit. The kind that rivaled anything Talin wore but would be much too sedate for Eladehl.
"Thank you," he breathed, smoothing down the almost shiny fabric of his new shirt. "And it seems I have the tie pin to match."
I glanced over and met his eyes with a smile. "It seems to be working."
"Yeah," he agreed. "I just feel bad that I didn't get something for everyone, but I did get something for you, Nari."
Zeal flicked his finger toward my side where the pile of gifts lay. "Silver one on top."
This time, I made no effort to open it nicely. I simply tore the side to reveal a smaller box, but this one was cardboard. Opening that, I found a cloth lining, and a pair of earrings buried inside. They were simple, small, and looked to be a combination of topaz, onyx, and amethyst. In other words, my colors.
"They're beautiful," I breathed.
"And why Zeal told me not to get earrings," Talin groaned. "Nice, Anver."
I began putting them in while someone else began to open something. In the end, I came out with another pair of boots, a new and much sexier robe, along with an assortment of supplies for my hair. Clothes were a popular choice for Eladehl and myself. The three guardians also got ointments and supplies for injuries. Amerlee and Shalsa both were given jewelry. Jamik, however, got more clothes, and the kind that were meant to appeal to the women now in his life.
Saval got books. It seemed I was the only one who didn't gift her one, but she seemed just as thrilled with each title she unwrapped. Then, it was Zeal's turn. Standing, he made his way around, passing a package to each of us. When he offered one to Saval, her eyes widened.
"I didn't..." she tried.
He waved that away. "I think you should open yours first."
Nodding, she timidly began unwrapping her gift. This time, it wasn't a book. The box was much too small. When she finally opened it, inside was nothing more than a small black key on a long black ribbon. Saval's brow furrowed as she looked up at her god.
"What does it match?" she asked.
He smiled kindly. "Your desk. That is for all the things you do not wish to be found. When you unlock the drawer with that, it will give you the space you desire. Not only more, but an area that is unreachable any other way, and if you ever lose that key, I can replace it. I promise that it will only work in your hand."
Her face went slack. "Zeal..."
"You do not need to lose your keepsakes, my dear. They will no longer be a threat to anyone or anything." Zeal reached over and palmed her head, bending close to lower his voice. "Your temptation has always been knowledge, and I want to do nothing more than encourage that."
"Thank you," she told him.
I had no idea what she was trying to hide, but I also wasn't foolish enough to ask. Still, the wonder on her face said it was something that mattered to her a lot. Yet before anyone in the room could ask, Zeal gestured to both Jamik and Amerlee. Each one held a matching box, and they looked to be identical.
"You both have to open those together," he told them.
So they did, only to reveal a pair of plain black bands. One glance made it clear that these would not fit on their wedding fingers, so Amerlee held hers up. Jamik's was clearly larger, but otherwise the same.
"Pick your finger, and they will fit," Zeal explained. "But they are tied together. No longer will you have to worry about words and gestures. If she squeezes that ring, you will feel it in yours, Jamik. If she needs help, now you will always know."
"Thank you," Jamik breathed.
Irila came next, and it seemed that her gift was in a much bigger box. When she finally got inside it, she pulled out what initially looked like a typical man's suit - until she unfolded it. Only then did it become apparent that this one was just as functional, but a lot more feminine. The pants were designed to fit tightly, but the coat had tails to make up for it. I could only imagine how seductive she'd look with it on.
But Irila wasn't as convinced. "I'm not supposed to distract."
"Oh, it is sedate enough for that," Zeal assured her. "But it's also beautiful enough that your... family will have a hard time taking their eyes off you. I broke your rings for a reason, little guardian."
Irila's cheeks immediately flushed. "Thank you, Zeal."
Shalsa was next, and inside her gift was a simple jar. She opened it, took a sniff, and then gave up. "What is it?" she asked.
Zeal squatted down before her. "Our hair is harder to grow, but not impossible. I know how obsessed you are with Amerlee's long curls. This will help. Yours will never look like hers, but I want to stroke your vanity as much as you stroke mine."
