Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Petra was on a mission to discover how her brother, Aldeny, had died in the Cloistered City. She knew her brother had become a courier and refused to believe the letter that he had killed himself. She was assigned to the Washing House, where she did the laundry for the city. She became friends with Winfred, who was the target of a hateful trio of girls. When one of the girls had stolen Winfred’s lotion, Petra tried to stand up for her. Winfred was whipped unconscious and became extremely sick. Petra stayed by her side until she could work again. One evening, Petra’s life changed. She encountered a courier who had spent the night with a man. The courier gave Petra the message, which was extremely late, and her courier cloak before leaving the city.

Petra became an official courier that night. On her way to deliver the message, she crossed paths with a group of Shilvary guards. Captain Larkin grabbed her arm and shook Petra, intending to punish her for not bowing in respect. Captain Rand Tsenturian instructed his fellow guard to release her, as she was clearly a new courier.

Emperor Cyprian’s engagement to Lady Theophania enraged Lady Sunniva. She had intentionally come to Vale to marry Cyprian and form an alliance with Bessaraiah. Lady Sunniva sent a notice to her home country, which placed Captain Tsenturian in place to lead the troops to defend the country. Petra had become Rand’s personal courier and learned that he was the Shivalry guard that buried her brother. Rand led Petra to the garden that held the Antediluvian stone. Rand confirmed that Aldeny did commit suicide and was buried in the garden. Petra refused to believe him. She placed her hand on the Antediluvian stone and demanded that he swear he spoke the truth, or she would take him as her sacrifice. Upon her declaration, Petra bound Rand to her. They both bore undeniable marks of the Ensign of Sacrifice and his Sacred.

Rand refused to live with Petra without being married, something that Shilvary normally did not do. She had made him break his vow of celibacy; therefore, going to war with his men was in jeopardy. Rand took her before the Emperor and Cyprian performed the ceremony. Petra’s action required her to join Rand and his troops in the fight against Bessariah’s soldiers.

A slow-burn romance builds from the tragic loss of a brother forced to work before his time. Petra’s view is relatable, and I could feel how she wished to find retribution for the loss of her brother. His letters had kept her and her mother alive with hope. The plot of the story is unpredictable, and the power of the Ensign adds suspense to a burning point. Rand was unable to pick between his loyalties, and I wondered how long he would continue to lead Petra on without committing even after they were married. The addition of Lindy created another element that forced reality to reach Rand and Petra. There were some questions left unanswered; therefore, I am rating Sanctuary four stars.

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