Vane couldn't speak past the sad lump in his throat as Nicolette led him and Bride into a side room where four candle stands were set. The light from the candles flickered like diamonds against the dark green walls.
"There are so many," Bride said, awed by the number of names.
"We live a long time," Nicolette said. "And we are at war. The Katagaria against the Arcadians, the Dark-Hunters against the Daimons. The Apollites against everyone. In the end, all we have are memories."
She indicated two candles that were set up on the wall. "Those are for my sons. Bastien and Gilbert." A tear slid down her cheek. "It is in their honor that Sanctuary was founded. I vowed that no mother, no matter if she is human, Apollite, Katagaria, or Arcadian, would ever know my grief so long as her child was housed here underneath my roof."
"I'm so sorry, Nicolette."
The bear sniffed and patted her arm. "I appreciate your words, Bride. It is for you that I am renouncing Vane's banishment."
Vane looked stunned.
"It is my wedding present," Nicolette said. "You have no pack to protect her with and, as Acheron says, you have paid a high enough price for your kindness. You protected Sunshine for the Dark-Hunters and so we protect you and your mate."
"Thank you, Nicolette," Vane said. "Thank you."
Nicolette inclined her head, then excused herself.
Vane lit the candle, then placed it next to the one for Colt's mother. His hand lingered on the glass. By his expression, Bride could tell he was remembering his sister. That he was grieving horribly for her.
His eyes were bright and shiny as he watched the candle flicker. After a moment, he glanced to her.
"Come," he said, taking Bride's hand. "It's time to meet my brother."
Bride followed him out of the room and up the staircase.
As they passed the first room, a man stepped out whom Bride actually recognized. "Carson?"
He looked as shocked by her presence as she felt for his.
"Bride? What are you doing…" His voice trailed off as he sniffed the air. His eyes widened. "You're one of us?"
"Us?"
"Carson is a hawk," Vane explained.
"No way!"
Carson nodded. "I'm the resident veterinarian and doctor here at Sanctuary." He opened the door to the room he was leaving to show her a state-of-the-art examination room that was complete with some of the cages Vane had mentioned.
"I can't believe it," Bride said as she stared at Carson. She'd known him for years now.
"Neither can I," he said. He looked at Vane. "I suppose congratulations are in order. You do know what her father does for a living, right?"
"Yes. Neuter King."
Carson drew his breath in between his teeth. "You do have guts, wolf. Lots and lots of them."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, I suppose you were on your way to Fang's room. I'll see you two downstairs."
Vane took her to the next room, which was a bedroom.
Bride half-expected to see a man on the bed and was a bit surprised to find a brown timber wolf there. There was also another extremely attractive blond woman, who could have been Nicolette's younger sister.
Vane introduced her to Nicolette's daughter, Aimee, who quickly excused herself to leave them alone with Fang.
Vane released Bride's hand as he closed the distance and knelt down on the opposite side of the bed where Fang was facing. "Hey, little brother," he said quietly. "I brought someone here I wanted you to meet. Bride?"
She joined him.
The wolf didn't budge.
"Hi, Fang," Bride said. She looked at Vane. "Can I touch him?"
"If you want."
She placed her hand on his head and rubbed him behind his ears. "It's nice meeting you finally. Vane's told me a lot about you."
Still, he didn't move.
Bride wanted to cry for them both. She could feel how much it hurt Vane that his brother wouldn't acknowledge them.
"I guess I'll take you back downstairs," Vane said sadly.
"It's okay. We can stay for a while. I don't mind."
"You sure?"
She nodded.
"Okay, let me go get us something to drink and I'll be right back."
"Wait," she said before he could poof out on her. "Is there a bathroom around?"
"There's one in Carson's office."
"Good."
Vane flashed out of the room. Bride left to take care of her business.
As she left the bathroom, she noticed that Carson's office had a two-way mirror that looked into Fang's room.
But that wasn't what made her heart stop.
Standing in Fang's room was Bryani.
Chapter 13
Vane was behind the bar getting Cokes for himself and Bride while Colt razzed him.