by M. Lynn
She lifted her face to Estevan who had dropped the bow he’d used to shoot Cole. He’d seen what Helena couldn’t. As long as Cole was alive, the peace she strived for wouldn’t have been possible.
He’d done too much evil.
Estevan stumbled to the wall with the help of a guard. A piece of Helena’s heart melded back together as Edmund finally managed the strength to stand on his own. Tears streamed down his face.
“I thought I’d lost you,” Edmund choked out.
The guard release Stev, and he stumbled into Edmund, wrapping his long arms around him. “You kept them safe.”
Edmund wound his arms around Stev’s waist, careful to avoid his bare back and the wounds. “I promised.” He pressed their cheeks together. “Besides, they’re my family too.”
A sob shook Estevan’s chest moments before he claimed Edmund’s lips with his.
Helena shook in Dell’s arms, Edmund’s words echoing in her mind. They’re my family too. He was right.
She scooted back from Dell and stood, leaving Cole behind. Quinn stood back, his face white and his eyes trained on his twin.
Helena wrapped an arm around Kassander’s shoulders, and the two approached Quinn.
“I gave him the bow.” Quinn ran a hand through his hair, the same dark hair as Cole’s. “I thought Estevan deserved… I let him kill Cole.”
Helena took his hand in hers, stilling its trembling. “It was the right thing.” She slipped her free arm around his waist. “We don’t have to remember him like that. Let’s remember the brother who never took anything seriously.”
Quinn’s laugh was barely audible. “He liked to keep us smiling.”
“He always had time for me,” Kassander spoke up.
The three of them fell into silence until Stev approached. “He was the reason I could help so many people. He stole the routes of food shipments from the merchant’s council.”
Quinn held out an arm as Estevan joined them. The four of them were all that was left of their once great family. Now what?
Helena breathed, trying to calm her frantic heart. She still had her brothers around her. She had Dell and Edmund. The pieces of her soul began sliding back into place.
“What’s happening outside,” she asked. How many of her people were dead?
As if the question snapped him back to the present, Quinn straightened. “I have to go.” He shrugged out of their embrace, pulled his sword, and sprinted down the hall.
“This isn’t done yet.” Helena ran after him.
Outside, the courtyard looked as if a great battle had taken place. The fighting had stopped and stunned people tried to pick up the pieces of their lives. Some cried over bodies. Others collected swords from the fallen. A few wandered aimlessly.
Helena searched for where Quinn had run off to and found him standing with Tyson and Camille. Relief shot through her as she took in the unharmed princess of Gaule.
Etta approached Helena, a grim smile on her face. “We took care of those loyal to Cole pretty quickly. Many of the guards flipped sides, but the rebels still suffered heavy casualties.
Helena scanned the bodies for any recognizable faces. Dell stood behind her, bent over the body of a tall woman.
“You’re with Orlo at least, Catsja. Thank you for everything.” He straightened and met Helena’s eye.
Etta continued speaking. “Your cousin, Landon was apprehended and has been arrested along with any traitors who didn’t turn to our side. They took him somewhere called the priests’ holes.”
Helena grimaced, remembering her days in that dank place. They’d have to find a better prison than that.
Quinn and Camille approached, their hands locked together as she leaned on him for support.
“We’ll need to get you a new cane before you return to Gaule.” Helena gestured to the girl’s twisted foot.
Camille’s brow creased. “I do not wish to return.”
“Cam—”
“My kingdom signed a treaty with yours and I intend to honor it. Gaule and Madra will be allies.”
Helena shook her head. “Estevan won’t marry you.”
“Then it’s a good thing Stev isn’t the one I’m in love with,” she snapped, her face going pale as she realized what she’d said.
Helena stepped back, her eyes flicking from Quinn to Camille and back again.
The first light she’d seen in Quinn since Cole’s first betrayal entered his eyes. He didn’t smile. It would take a while for that. But at least there was hope.
Quinn nodded once. “Len, I’d like permission to honor the treaty.”
She raised a brow. “I’m not the person you need to ask.”
Surprise flashed across his face as if he hadn’t thought about that. Estevan would become king of Madra—something they’d never thought possible after hearing of his death.
Dell pulled Helena away. “You would have made a good queen.”
She bristled. “I never wanted the crown.”
He pressed his lips to the side of her head. “I know.”
The chaos of the day hit her suddenly, sending a wave of dizziness crashing over her. Dell gripped her arm as she stumbled.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She tried to nod, but her entire body shook. “No. I’m not okay at all.” She pushed away from him and climbed the steps before entering the palace.
The residence wing held many painful memories, but it was also where her family had been whole. Where they’d loved and supported each other. She walked through the halls, each step heavier than the last. Once she climbed the stairs and entered her family’s home, she knew exactly where she needed to be.
Most of the rooms had been destroyed by the fire, but Cole had repaired them to look as they had before. She pushed open the door to the room where she’d always felt safe and half expected her mother to be behind the door. Or for Sophia to enter carrying tea.
She climbed onto the canopied bed identical to the one her mother had and sank into the plush white pillows, letting her mind linger in the past to avoid the realities of the present.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dell didn’t understand how he’d gotten where he was. Growing up in a small village, he’d had nothing except his mother. When she died and his father came for him, he wasn’t sure he’d survive the city, especially with a cruel stepmother and two conniving half-brothers.
But his father had been kind. In a single storm, that too was taken from the scared boy. He went from returned son to the stable boy within days of his father’s shipwreck.
He swabbed the decks of ships, cleaned horse stalls, and slept with the animals. Unlike his brothers, he’d never had any ambitions other than to find a way out of the city.
And then he’d met her. Or them, really. Edmund and Helena changed his life.
Lenny. She’d come dressed as a boy and seemingly in need of saving. But he’d been the one needing to be pulled out of his lowborn life.
To be honest, he had no problem with his low status, only his family who refused to claim him as one of theirs, yet treated him as if they owned him.
Now, he was the only Tenyson boy left.
As he walked across the courtyard, a familiar face appeared. His stepmother had never been kind to him. She’d berated him and forced labor onto him.
But now she had nothing left. He swallowed every bit of pride he possessed and approached her.
“Dell.” She lifted haunted eyes to his. “I’m… glad you’re okay.”
He scratched the back of his neck and looked away. “I’m sorry about Ian and Reed.”
She sighed. “Those boys… They were my sons. I loved them and it was for that reason I told no one what they were up to.”
His eyes widened. “You knew they wanted to take the throne?”
She hesitated a moment before nodding. “But they were my sons.” Her eyes glassed over. “I can’t help but wonder if I’d revealed their plans, maybe they’d both be alive now. Impri
soned, but alive.”
Dell never thought he’d feel anything but hatred for the woman, yet as he watched her sunken face, sympathy entered him.
She nodded to herself as if coming to some conclusion. “The princess did the right thing. I’m Reed’s mother… or was… but that wasn’t him. He’d always been the more dangerous of the two boys. Too smart for his own good. But there was a time when his kindness was real. When I thought he’d escaped…” She trailed off.
“Escaped what?”
She rubbed her eyes. “The circumstances of being my son. I’m a hard woman, Dell. I take full responsibility for Ian. But Reed was supposed to be different.”
“Is that why you joined the rebels? You thought it was your fault?”
She nodded and averted her eyes. “I don’t expect any understanding from you. I know the kind of life I forced on you. But maybe… just maybe… you should consider yourself lucky. This is not the family you wanted to be part of, Dell. If you’d been one of us, you might have made different choices.”
He shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t have. Reed and Ian didn’t do this because of you. They could have been different too.”
A sad smile tilted her lips. “That’s a nice thought, Dell. I only wish it were true.” She met his eyes once more. “Your father would be proud of you.” With those final words, she turned and walked across the rubble of the fallen gates, disappearing from view.
For the first time, he saw his stepmother as just a woman. A woman who’d lost everything. But he couldn’t be for her what his brothers were. He had other people he needed to stand by. Others to now call family.
Dell leaned forward in his chair to get closer to the bed where Helena rested. She hadn’t risen in the two days since the fight, not even to change her clothing. He studied her delicate features, stained with tears. Blood smeared across her slowly rising and falling chest. She didn’t deserve anything that had happened to her, but if there was one thing life had taught him, it was that everything happens to make you stronger.
And Helena was the strongest of them all.
He brushed his fingertips down her cheek.
Outside those walls in the coming days, people would return the palace to a state of cleanliness as much as they could. The gate would take a while to repair. The palace guard who’d once pledged allegiance to Cole now put their efforts into removing the bodies of the slain.
Rebels had returned to their homes, safe for the first time in months.
And the people who would bear the scars of this day for the rest of their lives? They each tried to deal with it in their own ways. Quinn had ridden his horse past the gates, needing to be alone to mourn the man who’d been part of him. His twin. His new betrothal couldn’t take the pain away from him. He hadn’t returned in two days.
Estevan and Edmund were both being attended by healers throughout the day as they recovered their strength.
Kassander hadn’t left Alex’s side.
Voices drifted in from the common room and Dell stood, walking to the door to see who’d arrived.
Edmund leaned back on the couch, weakness still etched across his face. Alex sat at his feet with Kass not far.
“He’s struggling, Alex.” Edmund shook his head.
“Give him time.” Alex put his hand on his friend’s leg.
“I’ll give him all the time in the world. He’s the man… Alex, when I lost him, I lost a piece of my soul.”
Alex nodded. “I remember the feeling well. Every time I lost Etta, it ripped me apart.”
Edmund dropped his voice. “I think being here only makes it worse.” He ran a hand through his hair and glanced to Kass who didn’t seem to pay them any mind. “His own brother tortured him. How do you get over that? How do you walk the halls and not remember?”
“He isn’t an ordinary man. Don’t forget that. Estevan will be king. He must move past it.”
A cough broke free of Dell before he could stop it, and both men startled. “Sorry, just coming to see what was going on?”
Edmund sat up. “We’re waiting for Estevan to return from the healer.”
In the absence of a Draconian with healing magic, Estevan’s wounds were being treated the non-magical way with salves and potions.
Dell nodded. “How is he doing?” Helena and her brothers had avoided big family moments in the days since the battle. She’d had Dell checking on Estevan.
“Better today, I think.” Edmund’s lips tugged down. “At least his body is.”
Just then, Quinn barged through the entryway, his hair mussed from the wind. He glanced around with wild eyes before calming and dropping into a chair. Camille entered behind him as if she’d been awaiting his return.
“How is the city?” Edmund asked.
Quinn was the only one who’d ventured beyond the palace walls. His face strained in consternation. “The people are jovial. They’re marching in the streets to celebrate the end of Cole Rhodipus’ reign and calling for a new monarch to be crowned.”
“Estevan will be pleased of their support.” Edmund sighed as if each reminder of Estevan’s duty added more weight to his shoulders.
Quinn’s brow furrowed. “It isn’t Estevan they call for.”
Each eye in the room snapped to his before Helena’s voice spoke from her doorway. “What do you mean, Quinn?”
His eyes pinned her in place, and Dell would’ve sworn a hint of pride appeared in the dark irises. “They want you, Len.”
She shook her head, sucking her lip between her teeth. “What… how… no. They can’t. I’m just the princess.”
Estevan had entered the room when they were all focused on Helena. Her eyes found him first, and Dell followed her gaze.
The prince moved with the gait of a much older man, lumbering along as if afraid to hurt something. He lowered himself onto a chair, careful not to lean back.
Everyone in the room stayed quiet. Had he heard Quinn?
Helena’s hands shook at her sides. “Estevan is meant to lead us.”
Helena couldn’t have heard Quinn right. The people calling for her? She’d never been more than a symbol to them. The mysterious masked princess, an icon of the tradition Madra loved.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
She searched the tired looking faces of her family as Etta and Tyson entered the room, stopping when they took in the seriousness around them.
“What did we just walk in to?” Tyson asked.
Estevan released a breath. “My brother stole the crown that was meant to be mine. My entire life, I’ve been raised thinking it was my future. When he took that away from me, I hated him.” His eyes settled on Edmund. “But I soon realized it was because he’d taken everything else as well.” He pushed himself to his feet, struggling with each movement, and walked until he stood in front of Helena.
“I’m sorry.”
She sputtered. “What? Why?”
He searched her eyes. “I didn’t see you. Before… everything. I loved you and wanted to protect you, but I didn’t see you. Who you truly are. The strength you possess. And then you returned for me. You gave yourself up to save me. Even then, I did not understand.”
“Understand what?” she breathed.
“You.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “But I heard you. In your speech to the guards. You were right. Tradition has been used as a weapon wielded by kings. I’d forgotten, just as you told them, what makes Madra great. If we’re going to get back everything we’ve lost, I can’t be the one to rule.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he covered it with his hand. “Cole wasn’t the only one who damaged our kingdom. Father created these circumstances. And I stood by his side. Yes, I did what I could to help the people, but what good is feeding them one day when father’s policies meant they’d still starve the next? I should have fought him, but I was afraid. Of Father. Of the priesthood. You’ve never been afraid.”
She pushed his hand away. “Stev, you can’t do this.” Tears hung in her
lashes. “You can’t put this on me.”
He wiped a tear from her face with his thumb. “I can’t be what Madra needs. I can’t be hope. Not anymore.”
“I don’t want to be the queen.”
He nodded. “I know.”
She glanced around the room, searching for someone to back her up, to tell Stev he’d lost his mind.
But all she found was agreement.
She breathed heavily, settling her gaze on Quinn. He’d always been her ally—helping her sneak out of royal events and defending her to her father. The tiniest smile tilted his lips and seeing it was enough to make her heart stop.
She pushed out a shaky breath. “I will never forgive you for this, Stev.”
He smiled. “You will.”
He stepped back, and she almost collapsed without his hands holding her up.
Tradition still had its place in Madra, and there was even one for this. Stev held up one hand and said the words every prince knew, but none had spoken in generations. “I, Estevan Rhodipus, cede my position in the line of succession for the throne of Madra. This decision is made with great thought and no coercion. Madra is a great kingdom and those after me in the line of succession will lead it well.”
The air deflated from her chest. It was done. With witnesses. There was no turning back. Those words were as binding as any law in Madra.
Helena practically felt herself sliding up into a new position as heir to the throne. She straightened her shoulders and wiped her face. This wasn’t finished. In Madra, in order for a new leader to take power, he or she must be wed. Both thrones demanded occupancy. It was another tradition Cole flaunted.
“Dell Tenyson,” she turned. “How do you feel about the title of prince consort?” His title would be symbolic, holding no real power. She held her breath, waiting for an answer.
Dell frowned. Not the reaction she’d been expecting when she just proposed.
He shook his head and crossed the room, yanking the door open roughly and disappearing from view.
