“I think you need to come.”
The anxiety her reaction provokes quiets the groan that wants to escape. Pain shoots through me as I stand, aching with every step through the cool halls, until we turn into the living room.
Cornelia, with a guard, both sets of sharp eyes watching me carefully. And beside her, a small blonde girl with scared, angry eyes that flare at me in warning.
It’s her.
I can see it. I can see Robin in her chin and her nose and her hair, but more than anything, he’s there in those defiant, furious eyes.
“C-Cornelia,” I force out, trying my best to remember the order of things here, “I hadn’t expected you, um. Sorry, I would have prepared.”
“I know, and I am sorry to barge in on you after the game. But you see, the auction is tomorrow, and this one…” She glares down at the girl who keeps her flaming eyes on mine. “She set fire to the bed. Quite deliberately, I’m told.”
Maria takes in a little breath and glances over at me with questioning worry.
“And so,” Cornelia flicks her fingertips in the girl’s direction, “this is your only chance. If you want her, now’s the time, or she goes to market tomorrow.”
“I’ll take her.” The words are out before I even have time to think.
“Marco!” Maria flings shocked eyes at me, but I cut her off.
“Whatever price you like. Please, can I have her now?”
Even Cornelia looks a little disgusted at my keenness, but I’m past the point of caring. She gives me the nod I need, so I scramble for the drawer to send a note of purchase. “Maria, take the girl through and feed her.”
She does no such thing, only stands there staring at me. “Marco, have you gone mad?”
Cornelia glares at Maria. “I can see why you need better help around here.”
An indignant yelp snaps out of Maria, but the jibe at least propels her to place her hands on the girl’s shoulders and move her gently toward the terrace.
She’s slow to go, assessing me, flinging a half-pleading look back at Cornelia, but no doubt she knows how much help Cornelia’s likely to be to her.
I make out the note of purchase, thank Cornelia, try to let all her insinuations and jokes roll off my back as I send her away. Then, as fast as I can, I hobble back through the house.
I’m on the terrace, Maria standing at one end of the table, this slip of a child who means all the world to Robin watching her through pale lashes.
“Esme?” I ask softly.
Her lips twitch, her darkening eyes filling, but she doesn’t say a word.
I walk around the table, drop to my knees in front of her. “¿Vienes de la isla del sol y el mar?”Do you come from the island of the sun and the sea?
Not a word, but those same lips begin to tremble.
“If it’s not you, you can stay with me, all the same. I won’t hurt you. I’ll keep you safe, and you’ll live here, with Maria.” I look to Maria for support.
Completely thrown, clearly furious with me, Maria still has the wherewithal to say, “That’s right. Y-you’re safe here.”
Thankful, I focus back on the girl. “Please tell me, if it is you, if you are Esme, do you have a brother?”
The spark of understanding lights in her eyes, even as she presses her lips tight.
“Do you have a big brother who loves you more than anything else in this world? Who’s searching for you? Who was taken, just like you were?”
Her whole body shakes as the emotion overcomes her, and her tears begin to flow when she drops me one small nod.
“Can you tell me his name?”
