by M. Lynn
Sometime in the night, they’d left the sea behind to sail into the delta and upstream. A failing wind made the journey slower than Dell would have liked.
He wanted to reach Helena.
Before it was too late.
He closed his eyes, feeling as if she stood next to him, dreaming she slipped her hand into his. If he’d had any doubt in his mind, their last night together washed it away. He loved Helena like he’d never loved anyone in his life.
He only wished she loved him the same. He tried to be angry, to feel betrayed, but it only ended in a crushing realization he wasn’t enough for the Princess of Madra. He never had been. She did what she thought was right in fighting for her kingdom. He was only a man who had nowhere else to go. No one to return to in Madra.
Except her.
He opened his eyes as Kassander leaned up against the rail beside him.
“I couldn’t sleep any longer,” the boy admitted.
Dell sighed. How could he feel sorry for himself when the young prince had lost so much? Was it better to have never had a family or to lose the one you had?
“Is everyone else still sleeping?” Dell rested a hand on the kid’s shoulder.
Kass shook his head. “They were talking when I left, but I couldn’t take the quiet whispers any longer.”
Dell knew what he meant. Alex, Etta, and Tyson’s anxieties were getting to the rest of them. They still didn’t know if they’d made the right decision. Could the queen and king of Bela involve themselves without involving their kingdom? If they failed and Cole Rhodipus kept his throne, would it throw them into war?
Kassander shuddered under Dell’s grip. “What do you think it’ll be like to see Cole again?” When Dell didn’t respond, he answered his own question. “I think it’s going to hurt.” His eyes scanned the city they approached. “But then, it already does.”
Dell wrapped an arm around Kassander. The boy was almost as tall as Helena and had the same dark hair and olive skin. There was a common look to the Rhodipus children that was both enchanting and disarming. Innocent. Beautiful. But also wild.
He pulled Kass away from the rail and directed him to a crate near the wall. They sat side by side. Dell leaned back and pulled his newest work in progress from his pocket. Helena had taken his unfinished sword, but now his hand closed around a crown. He worked his carving knife along the various dips and curves of the wood as Kassander watched in fascination.
He’d whittled so much over the years, he didn’t need to keep his mind on the work. Instead, he thought of every possible scenario that could occur once they reached Madra.
Morning mist hung low on the water, shrouding the ship in a haze.
“What’s going to happen once we reach Madra?” Kass asked.
A new voice joined their conversation. “We’re going to find your sister.” Etta stepped in front of them, bending to look Kass in the eye. “Do you believe me?”
Kassander nodded.
She smiled. “Good. Now, run down to the galley. You’re going to want food in your belly. Alex and Tyson are down there. By the time you’re finished, we’ll have reached Madra.”
Kassander’s eyes lit up, and he jumped from the crate.
When he was gone, Etta took his seat.
Dell dug harder into the wood, cursing as the knife got stuck in a rut he hadn’t meant to carve. With a sigh, he set the wood aside.
“Landon is preparing the horses.” Etta pulled her legs up under her. “Captain Smith will set us ashore west of the city. From there, we’ll ride in.”
Dell nodded. A Belaen ship wouldn’t be allowed to dock in the city. It was the only plan that made sense.
“You know Helena more than any of us. What’s the first thing she’d do when she reached Madra?”
Dell scratched the side of his face. “Well, that depends.”
“On?”
“If she’s calling the shots or if she’s listening to Edmund.”
“Why would they want different things?”
Dell peered sideways at Etta. She claimed Edmund was her best friend. She’d given him the ambassador position, but even she hadn’t known what her ambassador had been up to. That he’d become more ingrained in Madran life than he was supposed to. So, Dell explained. He told Etta of the network of spies reporting to Edmund. Of the rebels who were more loyal to a foreign ambassador than their own king.
And then it came time to tell him of his own role in Edmund’s world. “Edmund came to me because my brothers were integral in Cole Rhodipus’ plans to take the crown.”
Through it all, Etta remained silent. Finally, she lifted a hand to her mouth. “He did all of this to protect Estevan?”
“And Helena and Kass, but yes.”
She shook her head as if not quite believing it. Tears hung in her lashes. “When I was first told of Edmund’s feelings for the dead prince, I didn’t know what to think. Edmund’s infatuations have always changed with the wind. At one point, he even fancied himself in love with Alex, but I truly think it was only because it would never become more. They love each other, but as brothers now. Then Matteo… My cousin lost himself to Edmund the first time they fought.” She smiled. “Then it grew serious, and Edmund begged me to send him to Madra.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “But he risked everything for Estevan… and then he lost him. I didn’t understand before now. I even resented his new loyalty to Helena because there was a time I was the most important woman in his life.” She buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe I almost didn’t come for him. He has never once let me down, and I almost failed him.”
Dell didn’t know how to comfort a crying queen. He patted her back, deciding to answer her original question. “Both Helena and Edmund are strong willed. I think they’d split up.”
She lifted her head. “He wouldn’t leave her.”
“No.” The words hurt to say, but he felt every one of them. “But Helena would leave him if she thought it would save him.”
She’d done the same thing to Dell.
Dell watched the sailors prepare to head below deck and man their oars. Their movements were like a choreographed dance. Everyone knew their place, their job.
Helena knew hers as well.
Dell leaned his head back against the wall. He suddenly knew exactly why Helena had left him behind. “She’s going to face her brother. Alone.”
Etta opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue, but then shut it. She couldn’t refute the truth in his words.
Fear engulfed him because he knew if Helena had gone to speak to the king, they were already too late.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cole left Helena alone with Estevan and hadn’t returned. She didn’t know how long it had been, but she sat beside her oldest brother, staring at him as if he’d disappear again.
She stroked the damp hair away from his face.
Helena held back the tears threatening to break free. Estevan needed her strength, not her weakness. If she’d ever had doubts coming to the palace, they vanished the moment she set eyes on Stev.
“You’re supposed to be dead,” she whispered. “We mourned you.”
Edmund. His name popped into her mind so suddenly, she pulled her hand away. If Helena and Edmund had known Stev still lived, would they have come for him sooner?
Helena thought Stev was still sick with fever, but though his skin was damp, it wasn’t warm. He didn’t shiver, yet there was an alarming pallor to his skin.
His eyelids twitched. “No,” he murmured. “No more. Don’t touch me.” He flipped onto his side and the blanket slipped down to reveal his naked chest. Helena gasped, jumping off the edge of the bed.
Fresh red lines crisscrossed his torso. The long deep cuts crusted with dried blood, flaking and falling onto the bed..
Anger welled up in Helena as she saw the truth right before her. Estevan wasn’t sick. His weakness was from blood loss.
Cole. His name burned through her mind, and she turned on her heel, dete
rmined to march from the room. To find the brother who caused her family so much pain.
But a voice called her back.
“Helena?”
She froze, thinking she’d imagined it. Turning slowly, she swallowed back a sob. Estevan’s eyes slid open, and his clear gaze found her.
Helena ran to him, dropping to her knees beside the bed. “Stev.” She took his hand, the tears finally pouring forth. “Stev.” She rested her forehead against their joined hands, not wanting to let him go.
He took a shuddering breath. “They told me you were dead.”
She made a sound that was half laugh and half sob. “They told me you were dead.”
His free hand rose to her hair, arching over the crown of her head. His chest shook, and she lifted her eyes to his tear-stained face.
She’d never seen Estevan cry before. Reaching up, she wiped a tear from his cheek. “What has Cole done to you?”
He shook his head. “Not Cole.” His eyes slid shut for a moment. “Our brother--”
“He’s not our brother.”
Estevan shuddered at the words, and when he fixed his eyes on Helena once more, the force of his pain seared into her. To those who didn’t know him, Stev had seemed cold and calculating.
But Helena knew differently. Her oldest brother had been the best of all of them. He’d felt everything on a level she couldn’t imagine, but had always seemed ashamed of those emotions. So, he internalized them, hardening himself in the presence of others, especially their father.
But right then, when it was just two Rhodipus children mourning the death of everything good inside another, he finally let her see him.
She leaned forward, running her fingertips down the side of his face. He was really there.
“Kass?” He whispered, fear edging into his voice.
Helena pushed out a breath. “Safe.” At least she could give him that. She may have abandoned Stev to Cole’s control, but she’d kept the youngest brother alive. Stev’s eyes held more questions, but the words didn’t leave his mouth as a breath rasped through his chest.
“Edmund is here,” she whispered.
Estevan jerked his head from side to side. “No. He can’t be. He was supposed to leave with you and never look back. I never wanted…” He coughed, blood dripping down his chin.
Helena didn’t have time to say anything more because Camille appeared in the doorway. Jumping from the bed, Helena sprinted across the distance, throwing herself at the other princess.
Camille caught her, her arms stiff. “Helena.” She pushed her away, smoothing a hand down the front of her sapphire blue dress. She fixed her ebony curls over her shoulder, not sparing a glance at Stev.
Helena scanned her for any sign of poor treatment. Camille leaned on the same cane she’d had since the day she arrived. Her attire was smoothed to perfection almost as if she wasn’t a prisoner at all.
“I was so worried about you,” Helena finally admitted.
Camille’s stern stare cut through her. “Helena, you’re to come with me.”
And then she did the last thing Helena had ever expected. Camille raised one hand that held something Helena hadn’t noticed before. Something she never thought to see again.
A mask.
She shook her head, hair splaying about her shoulders wildly.
“Put it on.”
“Camille.” Helena stumbled back. “Why are you doing this?”
In that moment, the Gaulean princess looked very much like her mother—the woman who’d sold Quinn to the Madrans.
And Helena hated her for it. “No.”
Camille narrowed her eyes. “It’ll be much easier for you if you just obey.”
Helena’s eyes flicked to the mask. Not again. She’d spent most of her life imprisoned by such fabric. She wasn’t that girl anymore.
Two guards appeared in the doorway.
Helena glanced back over her shoulder at Stev who was trying to climb from the bed to help her. He fell back, his body jerking as his eyes rolled up into his head.
“Stev!” Helena tried to turn and run back to him, but one of the guards grabbed her to hold her in place. “Let me go, you bloody bastard.” A meaty arm wrapped around her waist, hauling her off her feet as she kicked and screamed.
Camille’s words barely registered in her mind. “Get the healer. If Estevan dies, the king will be very aggravated.”
No, Helena thought. Cole wouldn’t care what happened to any of them.
Her own words came back to her. He’s not our brother.
Only he was. And that made the pain all too real.
“Stev,” she cried once more before a fist flashed in front of her face, and the darkness beckoned to her with its peace.
Voices surrounded Helena, but she struggled to open her eyes. Heavy footsteps crossed in front of her. The jangle of many armored boots came and went.
Where was she?
As she took in the surrounding room, it all came back to her. Coming to the palace. Cole. Estevan. How could her brother be alive after all this time?
Her father’s council room took shape around her. No, not her father’s. Not anymore. Sound echoed off arched ceilings, only slightly muffled by plush carpets.
Helena lifted her aching head off the soft white fibers of a pillow. She lifted a hand to her face as another piece of herself broke apart. The mask clung to her skin, a cage she had never really escaped. She wanted to cry, to scream, to tear the place down, but she wouldn’t give Cole that satisfaction. She refused to fall apart. Not again.
The mask strengthened her, bolstering her need for vengeance. She’d felt the anger slipping through her fingers after Cole brought her to Estevan, but now as she scanned the faces of those loyal to the new king, she wanted them all to pay.
Two boots stopped in front of her before a stocky man crouched down, balancing on the balls of his feet.
Helena lifted her eyes to Reed’s and all she could see was the man who took Quinn, who let his people almost kill Dell.
Sympathy entered his gaze, and he held out a cup of water.
When Helena didn’t move to take it, Reed sighed. “I’m not going to hurt you, Princess.”
A hand landed on Reed’s shoulder, jerked him backward. He landed heavily on his butt, water spilling over his shirt. “Dammit, Ian.”
Ian ignored Reed’s exasperation. “The princess is needed.”
Without waiting for a response, he gripped Helena’s arm and jerked her up, pulling her toward the table in the center of the room.
Cole stood ramrod straight, newly shaven. His hair was slicked back in the same style he’d always worn it. Only now, he seemed… older. His cold eyes found hers, none of the emotion from earlier appearing in the dark globes.
“We have had great fortune,” he said, his eyes scanning the faces around the table. Helena recognized a few generals and merchants, but some were strangers. Camille stood to Cole’s right. “Princess Helena has returned to help lead Madra to greatness.”
Helena choked on a breath.
Cole continued. “But Prince Quinn has gone missing. We believe rebels have taken him. The palace guard has been scouring the city, but I’ve brought my sister here to shed some light on his whereabouts.”
Helena froze. Did Cole know about her connection to the rebels?
He rounded the table, stopping at her side and peering down at her. False affection rang in his voice. “Dear sister, tell me where Edmund is.”
“I-I don’t know.”
Cole struck her before she even knew what was happening. His palm left a biting pain burning her cheek.. She lifted a hand to her stinging cheek, stumbling back.
“Here in this palace, we do not abide lies.” Cole’s low voice rumbled through her.
Danger lurked behind his gaze, and Helena swallowed heavily. Did he want her to fear him?
She stood straighter, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you.”
Cole gestured
to one of his guards who struck Helena in the stomach. She doubled over, gasping for breath as pain shot through her abdomen.
She bit back a scream and stood tall once again.
Not a single person at the table made a move to stop Cole.
“Where is my brother?” Cole screamed, the veins in his neck pulsing with his irritation.
Helena narrowed her eyes. “I could take him from you in an instant. You stole everything from me. Why shouldn’t I do the same?”
Cole smashed his fist against the side of her head, knocking her sideways. She stumbled, falling to her knees when he kicked the back of her shin. The beating continued with Cole unleashing every bit of his fury on her until all Helena could focus on was the pain.
She held onto consciousness like a falling man holds on to the edge of a cliff. The strikes eased as Cole let out a roar and covered her body with his.
“I had to,” he murmured. “Helena, I had to.” His tears dripped onto her skin.
The mask hid her ashen face, and Cole’s weight on top of her crushed her into the floor. She felt as if she no longer existed.
She’d told Edmund Cole wouldn’t hurt her. That had been the one thought holding her together. As evil as her brother was, he loved her. She’d wanted it to be true. It would have made the mission possible, but it also would have healed some small part of her.
Her bruised body may not have completely broken, but she lay there as if she’d been nothing more than a glass princess.
And now, finally, she’d shattered leaving only razor sharp shards that would slice through anything they touched.
For the second time that day, darkness pulled her under its swift current.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The midday sun hung in the sky by the time Dell rode through the city streets of Madra. Beggars sat on each corner, more common than they’d once been. The few shops that had opened had long lines stretching out of the doorways as people tried to get their share of food brought in from the Madran farms.
“We need to ditch the horses,” Dell said, coming to a stop and sliding down. He glanced each way down the busy street, pressing back into an alleyway as a cart rambled by.
