“It has none,” Rafael protested, but Ceara only scoffed.
“Then why did Maximilian so comment upon it? He was surprised that you bestowed it upon me. The ring has significance and you will not convince me otherwise.”
Rafael shrugged, striving to dismiss her interest in this particular tale. “Perhaps he was surprised that I surrendered it, for I own only the one ring. There. You have your tale and owe me three days guidance.”
“Nay,” Ceara insisted with a confidence that surprised him. “It cannot be that valuable in itself. It has an emotional import, like the crucifix that you wear to recall the person who surrendered it to you.”
Rafael’s heart chilled at her perceptiveness.
She twisted around to face him. “Who did surrender it to you?”
didHe could only make a jest to deter her. “You w
