The lithe guard shut the door, entombing them in the dimly lit, bare room. “They’ve drugged him. We were set to give him a new dose soon so it should be wearing off. It was the only way to keep him compliant.”

“How is he still alive?” She cupped his face gently, examining each bruise.

“Killing him would put us at odds with Bela.”

Understanding lit in her. “And the only thing Cole truly fears is magic.” Her foot hit the chains snaking across the ground and bile rose in her throat. “Get them off him. Now!”

Edmund looked as if he didn’t understand why she yelled, but her entire body trembled.

Astor flipped through the keys before bending to unlock the shackles.

Edmund stood as soon as he was free and Helena pulled him to her, burying her face in his chest. His arms came around her. “Lenny, what’s wrong?”

“Everything,” she sobbed.

He rested his chin on her head. “Let’s find the queen. She can make you some tea.”

Helena’s chest constricted.

Edmund looked to the guard who had yet to say a word to him. “Astor.” He grinned. “Nice of you to visit, but I don’t remember calling you from your mission among the rebel troops. Was it Estevan?”

“Sir,” Astor began. “The rebels have taken the palace.”

“Not possible.” Edmund released Helena and scratched his jaw. He furrowed his brow, clarity returning to his eyes. “Our sources had the date set for tomorrow.”

“They were wrong.”

“Come on, Edmund.” Helena placed a hand on each of his arms and peered up into his face. “Come back to us. Clear away the fog. Find your magic again. We need you.” She paused. “Stev needs you.”

His eyes snapped to hers. “Stev…”

“We don’t know where he is. The king and queen…” She swallowed thickly, forcing herself to say the words. “Are gone. But I refuse to leave this palace before we find Stev and Kass.”

“Stev.” He said the name almost like a prayer, and his shoulders went rigid. He blew out a breath and closed his eyes.

A gust of air whipped Helena’s bangs from her face. She smiled for the first time since the ball. Edmund was back.

The wind settled before disappearing altogether as if Edmund’s magic wasn’t there at all.

Edmund strode to the door and yanked it open only to stop as four swords blocked his way. Ian Tenyson stepped forward.

“Hello, princess.” He smirked. “I said I would have you and I never break my promises.” He turned to his guards. “The girl comes with us. Arrest the ambassador. Kill the traitor.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dell fell through the door into the servants’ stairwell from the royal family’s residence, smoke chasing him from the row of once grand rooms.