The lock traced an arc through the air and vanished below the mountain edge. Gone. The faintest thread of cedar smoke and cold iron still clung to my fingers where the metal had rested, and the wind carried that away too.
The second day, I went to Moonhowl Shrine.
Three thousand steps led to the top. I had once climbed every one on my knees.
That was four years ago, on the first anniversary of our mating.
We had been in a collision on the road. In the most dangerous moment, he had thrown himself over me and taken everything meant for my body onto his own.
I had believed that kind of love deserved everything I could give in return.
He would not wake afterward. Panicked, I heard that this shrine answered prayers most faithfully, so I climbed on my knees, step by step, and brought back a protection talisman blessed under the full moon.
When he finally opened his eyes, we came together to fulfill the vow.
He had said it then.
"Hazel, we love each other this much. We'll always be together."
I had believed him without a shred of doubt.
Now I understood. It was nothing but a lie.
The third day, I went to the ginkgo tree.
We had planted it with our own hands.