“Does Ian know that?” Dell asked, his eyes scanning the kid who looked so very much like Helena. “What do you think is going to happen when he gets his hands on the entire royal family? The only way to cement the bastard prince’s rule is to make sure all his siblings are in the ground.”

The bravado in Kassander’s stance cracked and his eyes glassed over. “Cole won’t hurt me.”

“I wish I had as much faith as you, little prince.” Dell walked to the wardrobe to rummage through it until he found what he wanted. He draped a dark cloak over Kassander’s shoulders. There was no way he could just leave him. Not when he gazed up at him with Len’s hazel eyes. “I’m taking the prince. If you want to arrest him, you’ll have to take us both.”

Dell spared one more long look for his brother, waiting for him to make a move. Instead, Reed turned and opened the door, disappearing into the shadows once more.

Dust rained down as another explosion struck.

“People are pouring through the gates,” a soldier yelled as he ran by. “All those loyal to the king are called to fight.”

Kassander tried to take off, but Dell held him back.

“They need us to fight,” Kassander yelled.

Dell watched more soldiers rush by. Not palace guards, but military men and women. “I don’t think the king they mention is your father.”

“I remember you,” Kassander said. “From the docks… and the games. You’re a Tenyson. I’m not going anywhere with you, Rebel.”

Dell didn’t have time for this. He turned on his heel, gripping the boy’s shoulders and bent to look him in the eye. “You don’t have another option, kid. I’m not going to kill you, but I have one goal… to get Helena out of here alive. Come or don’t, that’s your choice.”

He released the prince and joined the chaos snaking through the halls. Blood stained the velvet carpeting. Furniture lay in broken pieces. Wall hangings were slashed and torn.

The palace was a war-zone.

“Dell.” Kassander pointed to a group of men and women in armor marching down the hall.

Dell pulled Kassander back into the shadows of a doorway as they watched the man who’d betrayed his own family for the crown pass by, blood spattered across his face.

Kassander’s entire body shook and Dell realized for the first time, he wasn’t so different from the royal family after all. Warring siblings. Betrayal. It didn’t matter if you lived in a palace or a loft in the stables, it all hurt the same.

Ian strode beside Cole, and they stopped as they came upon another guard. After they spoke a few words, they marched toward the stairs that would take them to the main level where the explosions were growing.