6. ring
In a small brass tray beside the sink lay a small pile of Alyx’s jewelry. Upon closer inspection, it was a collection of rings running the gamut from plain to brilliantly ornate. A mixture of gold and silver, colorful gems and intricate carvings, each carefully chosen, restored or graciously gifted.
Metal and minerals had aetherial properties, he knew. It was common for mages to adorn themselves in jewelry to enhance their abilities. Some jewelry was important enough to never come off - particularly the stone around her neck, often glamoured, yet never removed.
These rings, while important, were occasionally set aside for various reasons - gardening, in particular, led to the unfortunate chore of cleaning caked soil from beneath each band if not removed. She had used an alchemical solution to protect the metal from water damage, yet sometimes took them off when bathing to avoid snagging in her hair.
He was not one usually prone to rummaging, but he couldn’t help but look closer. He idly examined a particularly small silver band with what appeared to be an oval of polished jade, and a carved band with a black gem reflecting violet when held up to the light. Her engagement ring - a Borel family heirloom in gold and sapphire - lay among the magical finery, entirely lacking in aetherial significance.
Aymeric smiled, placing the ring over the tip of his index finger, where it barely fell beyond the first knuckle. Alyx had meanwhile reappeared from her search for further adornment, stocking-clad feet padding quietly across the rug.
“How are your fingers so tiny?” He wondered aloud.
“My fingers aren’t tiny,” came her reply, “Your fingers are big.”
He reached for her hand - her left, specifically - and slipped the sapphire ring over her finger. Despite being already wed for some time, the gesture was apparently romantic enough to bring color to her cheeks.
“May I help you with the rest?” Aymeric offered.
Alyx chuckled. “Are you sure? There are a lot, and they all have specific places to go.”
He drew the dish of functional finery closer, choosing to begin with the impossibly small silver and jade. She humored him by offering her right little finger.
“I welcome the opportunity,” he explained. After all, it was just the sort of seemingly inconsequential knowledge he loved to glean from her, even after all this time.
