Samandriel looked up at Carrick, sensing a trap. A mild one, perhaps, but baited so sweetly it could be nothing but.
Even knowing that, he couldn't help but walk right into it. It wasn't like Carrick couldn't stop him if he tried to do anything funny. He reached out to touch it, to run his fingers along the smooth, curved crystal. Telegraphing his movements very carefully, he drew it to him to hug it against his chest, head bowed and eyes closed as if in prayer.
He didn't ask what the price for this moment was. He merely wished to enjoy it while he had it. He'd worry about the price when that time came.