The queen sighed. “I grew very tired and retreated to my room to await a maid who promised to bring Kassander up. I told my guards they could return to the ball once we were safe in our wing. No one thought the danger would come from within.”

From their own family was what she meant, but neither of them said it.

“Where is Kass?” Helena looked to the door in panic. “Why haven’t they locked him in here with us?”

“My poor boy.” The queen said nothing else in answer as they sat side by side, unable to give each other the comfort they needed.

They didn’t know what was happening in the palace or where her father and Estevan were. Helplessness set in, choking the room in desperation.

“We have to get out of here,” Helena whispered.

Her mother reached to take her hand. “Cole won’t harm you, Helena. Or Kassander.”

She said nothing about herself because they both knew the truth. Cole Rhodipus had no love for the king or queen, and he’d do anything to destroy them.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dell watched Bemus pace the length of the room with the same restlessness he felt. Edmund should have returned hours ago.

“We have to do something.” Dell slammed his fist into the table. “To find him.”

Bemus’ feet froze. “Edmund told me if he were to ever go missing… there’s a priest we must find. Koran is loyal to the crown prince and will help us.”

Dell shot to his feet. “Then what are we waiting for?”

“Follow me.” Bemus led him down a narrow hallway and stopped in front of a worn rug. He lifted the rug, folding it in half to reveal a door in the floor.

Dell’s brows drew together. “Edmund has a lot of secrets.”

Bemus only nodded as he kneeled to pull the door free. It swung up with a loud creak. Below, a large compartment sunk right into the floor.

“The more I know about Edmund, the more I like him.” Dell gazed over the various weapons hidden in the ambassador’s secret stores.

“The king doesn’t trust foreigners,” Bemus explained. “He orders routine inspections of all the ambassador’s homes. Edmund has always been careful. Our most recent inspection was only a day ago, but those men weren’t the usual guards. That was one of the ways Edmund knew the rebellion was imminent. He made preparations.”

“Preparations?”

“For his arrest. He only hoped it wouldn’t be until after your family made their play.”

Dell pulled a broadsword free of the weapon’s cache, scanning the gleaming steel blade with appreciation.

Bemus put a hand on his arm. “No, sir Tenyson. Walk through the streets with that and people will assume you ride to war.”

“Don’t we?”