Edmund shouted to the king as two guards dragged him from the room. His words cut off with a muffled grunt. Helena couldn’t see what was happening to him.

Two strong arms slid beneath her, keeping the cloak over her face as he lifted her.

The music began again as if nothing had happened.

“She is to be locked in her rooms until we discuss what is to be done,” the king commanded.

“Yes, father.” Cole. She relaxed, knowing for the moment, she was safe with her brother. He hurried from the room. “Bastard,” he muttered. “Bloody bastard.”

Helena couldn’t refute his words. Her father had proven, once again, he was not on her side. He wasn’t even on Madra’s side. Only his own.

Edmund. She curled into Cole as a tear slid down her face. She knew what her father did to traitors. He wouldn’t be sent to the prison at the monastery. Not yet. Not until he told them everything they wanted to know.

“It’s all going to be okay.” Cole kicked shut the door to the family wing and removed the cloak from her face.

“How can you say that?” She sniffed. “They have arrested Edmund. I just broke one of the most sacred traditions and father will make me pay for it. Dell…” She shook her head as tears threatened to break free.

“Dell Tenyson?” Cole asked, setting her on her feet. “You’ve seen him?” He gripped each of her shoulders and bent to look into her eyes. “Where?”

She tried to step back, but he held her in place. “How do you know Dell?” she demanded.

“Ian spoke of him. Was he here? Ian led me to believe he was staying home.”

Not liking the accusatory tone in Cole’s voice, she twisted out of his grasp. “I need to help Edmund.”

“No, you need to let him pay for his crimes.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Cole… It’s Edmund. He’d never betray us.”

A sneer formed on his lips. “Don’t be a fool, Helena. His only loyalty lays with Estevan.”

Cole had never spoke to her in such a way and she stumbled away from him. He followed her. “Edmund wants to preserve a reign that should be allowed to crumble. But without him, his people have no leadership, no path forward.”

“What are you saying?” Words clogged in her throat as she struggled for breath.

“I needed him out of the way.”

She shook her head, tears breaking free. “No.”

“He would have ruined everything.”

“Cole, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

Remorse shown in his eyes for only a second before it disappeared. His fingers closed around her arm in a bruising grip as he yanked her toward a room at the end of the hall. He pulled a key from around his neck and unlocked the door before shoving her inside.