Arine's Sanctuary by KateMarie Collins

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.

Chapter Eleven
     
                   L ogan watched Arine walk into the room. This meant so much to her. If only he could be there with her. But she had to meet Ian alone. There’d be time for him to get to know her brother on the way home.
                  “Come on, Logan. They’re leaving us behind.” Cavon’s voice pulled his attention away from the closed door. “Stop thinking about your fiancée and let’s go.”
                  He felt his face heat up. They’d shared the news with Mestra and Cavon that morning. But it was still new, strange to hear. “Yeah, I know.” He turned and followed his friend towards an open door.
                  Bright sunlight bathed the courtyard. Sabine waited for them, but not patiently. “Keep up. Arine’s only got an hour in there and I’ve got