The linens were folded into elaborate floral shapes on the china. As I toyed with the one in front of me, inspecting the folds and twists, I heard a clinking sound on the plate below. Pearls. A long silken strand coiled down, falling from the cloth. The memory of a kind and ancient voice flowed through my bones. They belonged to his grandmother.
I stared at the beautiful little orbs in fear and remorse. I wanted so badly to touch them, but they terrified me. I was afraid of choking.
“You should try them on.” The voice came suddenly. It amazed me the way he could move without a sound.
Before I could respond, he had the choker at my neck, fastening the delicate gold clasp against the top of my spine. “They look lovely on you.” His voice was soft and gentle. “Go see.”
He held my chair as
