Arine's Sanctuary (7 page)

              “I’m sure they’ll appreciate it, once they
wake up.”
Mestra chuckled a little. “It took them less than five minutes after they got out of the bath to find a bed and fall asleep.”

              Arine kept her eyes on her food, savoring the warm broth. She hated to admit it, but the idea of sleeping on a bed and not the hard earth appealed to her right now.

              Sabine and Mestra kept a steady stream of conversation going throughout the first course, mainly focusing on various events Domine Grace had scheduled around the city for the celebration. Arine tuned most of it out, trusting her friend would let her know of anything of concern when they were alone again. Instead, she focused on the room itself. The windows seemed oddly placed. While she could see people on the street below moving about, the image seemed oddly distorted.

              “It’s because you’re seeing a reflection, Arine.” Sabine’s voice cut through her thoughts.

              Blinking, she turned her attention to their host. “A reflection? How?”

              Sabine sat back slightly, allowing the servant to clear her bowl for the next course. “I have a series of mirrors set up, allowing us to see who and what goes on down on the street, but they can’t see who my guests are. It was costly, but has repaid me several times over. I frequently host people who, like yourselves, don’t necessarily want their visit to Dawnbreak to be of public record.”

              A new plate, one of roasted beef, potatoes, and vegetables drenched in a cream sauce, was placed in front of her. “Would you object if I examined it closer? A system like this could help strengthen Sanctuary.” Arine asked, as she began to eat.

              Sabine smiled, “Not at all. I’ll do you one better. I’ll get a second set of blueprints made tonight for you to take back with you. They should be ready before the sitting tomorrow.”

              Arine started a little, “
What sitting?”

              Sabine looked up at the servant in the room, “You’re dismissed. We’ll take care of things from
here.” Then waited as the room cleared and it was just the three of them.

              “The boy we believe to be your brother is here from the Far Lands. He came with a group of artists, and there’s been an announcement made that he is available for private portraits. I’ve made an appointment for tomorrow, here in my home. Once he’s set up his equipment, I’ll make sure any accompanying people are removed from the room and you’ll go in. The sitting’s only supposed to last for an hour, and he has to have some work done or it’ll look suspicious. You’ll have that time to confirm he is your brother, and convince him to come back with you. The following day, when he comes back for the follow-up sitting, is when we’ll smuggle you all back out of town.”

              Mestra coughed, “I like the plan, Sabine. Except it doesn’t give us much time to figure up what Talia’s up to.”

              “What’s there to figure out with her? She’s here with Domine Elsa and convinced her to marry James instead of Cavon. You really don’t think she’s not told her all she knows about Sanctuary, do you?”

              Mestra sighed, “No, not really. Not if she
wants to live. She may have
held back a little information, something critical, that would keep her safe from Domine Elsa’s vengeance. I imagine the Domine wasn’t thrilled when Talia’s original try at taking over Sanctuary failed.”

              Sabine nodded, “Exactly. Maybe she doesn’t know about the tunnels, or the small caves where you sleep. But everything else she does. Don’t delude yourself. The first day those two appeared in the city, Talia looked beaten. And James had all the earmarks of a terrified boy. Elsa doesn’t take disappointment well.” She pushed her chair back, rising gracefully. “Tomorrow, Mestra, you and the boys can accompany me to the market right here while Arine’s talking with our other guest. Keep your eyes open; see if you can learn anything else. I don’t trust Domine Grace’s apparent lack of security. She’s working on something. I just don’t know what yet. But I wouldn’t unpack your bags if I were you.”

              Arine rose as their host left the room. Mestra nodded once, and she followed her friend back to their room. If anything more was going to be discussed, it would be there.

***

              Hours later, as the twin moons came close to meeting, she knelt before the altar set off from the main gardens. She’d never been one for prayer, really. Tonight, when she was this close to fulfilling a promise she made to herself and Cinphire a decade ago, it seemed appropriate.

              A light breeze wafted through the small chapel, tickling her nose with the sweet jasmine and lilac blooms from the garden nearby.

              Arine knelt in silence, her heart speaking more than she could voice.
I know not why he was taken, or why it took ten years to find him, but on this night I thank you for allowing me to bring him home at last.

              The breeze shifted. A hint of honey mixed with a familiar muskiness brought a smile to her face. Without opening her eyes, she spoke, “What woke you, Logan?”

              “You weren’t there. It worried me.” She heard him slide onto a bench behind her. “To be honest, I’m surprised you were here. It’s not a place where I would expect to find you.” He kept his voice low.

              She opened her eyes, gazing at the porcelain figure before her. “With the meeting tomorrow, being so close to finally bringing Ian home, it seemed to be the place to be.” She touched her finger to her lip, then placed it on the breast of the statue in silent benediction. Only then did she rise and look at Logan.

              She saw him for the first time, really. Not his physical form, but the patience. The love and devotion he had for her, for her quest. The realization that he’d spent the last years of his life taking care of her. So she could do her job. So she could bring Ian home.

              It was
time. “Logan,” she said, as she knelt
in front of him and took his huge hands into her own, “you’ve been far more patient than I deserve. I wouldn’t be here if not for you. If you’re willing, when we get home again, will you stand in front of Mistress Bryn with me and seal yourself to me?”

              She knew his answer before he voiced it. The glow of happiness that exploded on his face told her she’d almost waited too long. “I…yes. At the date and time of your choosing. I will be there.” His face split into a grin.

              She reached up and gave him a gentle kiss. “Now, let’s go back to bed. The news can wait until later.”

Chapter Ten

            
 
A
rine took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Was it nerves? She wasn’t sure. Excitement might have been a better word. She could hear the muted voices on the other side of the door. Any moment now, Sabine would let her in. To meet Ian. To talk him into coming home to Sanctuary with her.

              Mestra spoke low, “I’ll be right out here when you’re done. Just knock on the door. Sabine’s taking the boys into the market and gave the staff time off. It’ll be just the two of you in there. His escort is waiting outside the other side of the room, though, so keep your voice down.”

              She nodded once, not trusting her own voice.
Damn it, Arine
, she swore to herself.
It’s like all the others you’ve done. Get your focus in place and treat him like the rest.

              Only she knew she was lying to herself. It wasn’t like all the others. This was Ian. The one job she wanted more than any others.

              The door opened slightly and Sabine slid through the crack, closing it behind her. “He’s ready, Arine. Make the most of your time. His escort wasn’t pleased to be told to wait outside during the session. When the hour is up, she’ll be knocking to come in. You have to finish convincing him by then, set up a cover for him to come back tomorrow. Or it won’t work.”

              Arine watched her walk past her towards where Logan stood with Cavon. He smiled at her, and she took one more deep breath before opening the door before her.

              Sunlight filtered through the light colored curtains, bathing the room in a pale green glow. Across the room, an easel was set up. The canvas blocked the figure behind it, but she could hear him. His hands peeked around the left as he set a small roll of cloth on a table next to him. She moved across the carpeted floor. He was expecting someone. But would he realize who she was?

              Finally, she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to see his face. Working her way around the edge of his artist’s space, she waited for him to turn around.

              He was taller. That was the first thing she noticed. She chided herself at the surprise. It’d been ten years. Of course he was taller. His hair, always a shade or two lighter than hers, shone a bright red in the filtered light.

              She didn’t make a sound, but waited. A second or two passed before he stopped unpacking the small kit of supplies and straightened. He knew she was there.

              He turned to face her, his eyes going to the floor. At the same time, her heart soared. There was no doubt now.

              “Hello, Ian,” she whispered.

              He brought his gaze up to meet hers at the sound of her voice. It took him a moment, but she saw the disbelief play across his face as he recognized her at last.

              “
Arine?” his soft voice
trembled as he said her name.

              She laughed, holding out her arms to welcome his embrace. Holding him tight, she marveled again at how tall he’d gotten. She let herself have a moment to revel in knowing he was real and with her again.

              “Ian, I need to talk to you.” She broke from the hug and led him towards a divan. “I know, we’ve got so much time to catch up on. I want to know everything you’ve been through from the moment Ma sold you. But it has to wait.”

              She watched his face intently, scanning it for any signs of confusion. “I left after I came home and found out what she did to you. I was determined to find you, keep you safe. Whatever horrors you’ve endured since that moment are my fault for not finding you sooner.” She took his hands into his. “I ended up at Sanctuary, Ian. And they helped me find you. That’s why I’m here. I want to take you home. You’ll be free…” Arine broke off as he took his hands from hers and rose.

              “Arine, you don’t understand.” He went back to his supplies and picked up a piece of charcoal. Sketching as he spoke, he explained, “I have to do a sketch or people will wonder. But we can talk while I do this.”

              She sat, her forehead creased in confusion. “What don’t I understand, Ian? I’m offering you a chance to be safe, get out from under the thumb of whoever’s using your talent for their gain.”

              His hand flew across the canvas. “But no one is, Arine. Things are different over in the Far Lands. Men have a voice in what happens to them. I get to keep my money. Around here, we keep up appearances. But back there, even once we’re on the ship home, it’s different.” He paused, focusing on the stroke of his hand.

              “What are you saying? You want to stay?”

              He looked at her, his face a conflict of emotions. “I have a good life now. When I first went there, I was scared. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just drew my pictures and hoped someone would pay me with food. That’s when I met Caroline.”

             
Arine kept
her focus on her brother, watching the changes on his face. There wasn’t any of the fear she normally saw on the boys she’d fetched. Or hope for the new life she promised. There was excitement for seeing her, yes. But there was also happiness.

              “Well, it was her mother I met at first. She saw me trying to sell some portraits in a market, hired me to do one of her daughter. She fed me, gave me a room, everything. By the time Caroline returned a few days later, I wasn’t a street urchin any more. They let me stay there, helped me build a reputation with my art. Coaxed me out of my shell.”

              His hand flew across the canvas as fast as Arine’s heart sank. “About five years ago, she asked me to join with her, be her mate. We’ve got twins, a girl and a boy, that are two now. We left them back home.”

              “If it’s so good there, why come here?” She had to ask. “Why risk being sold again?”

              Ian’s face softened. “Caroline is good friends with a captain, someone who buys boys from here and frees them when they get across the ocean. She’s been helping us try and find you.”

              A chuckle escaped her throat. “Find me? Why?”

              “I know what Ma was like, Arine. If you’d stayed, it wouldn’t have been for long. You had no interest in taking on the business, tanning leather. And she never cared about anything but what she wanted. With how good things are, all I could think of was bringing you to my new home.”

              Arine lowered her head, her mind trying to contemplate what he was saying. That’s when it hit her. As much as he wouldn’t leave his life, his love, she couldn’t leave hers.

              “I can’t, Ian. Any more than you can. I love what I do, bringing boys to Sanctuary. Saving them. I’m good at it. There’s so many out there who didn’t get lucky like you. And then there’s Logan.”

              Ian’s face brightened, “I’m glad, Arine. More than you can imagine. All I’ve hoped for over the years is to learn you’re happy.” He shifted his stance. “Caroline’s here, outside. Would you like to meet her?”

              Arine smiled as her heart sat like lead in her chest.