Instead of answering, he lowered his eyes to Helena’s serene face. “She’s going to be okay.” He wasn’t speaking to anyone but himself, yet Cole put a hand on his shoulder. For just a moment, they were in their grief together.

Ian shifted where he stood. “If she dies, you owe me a wife.”

Dell tried to take pleasure in his brother’s chastisement but he couldn’t focus on anything but the girl in his arms.

Cole cut strips of his own shirt with a knife and handed them to Dell. Dell pulled the knife free from the right side of her chest and pressed the cloth to it. He dropped the knife, and it clattered to the ground.

Dell pressed two fingers to her neck to feel her heart thumping against them.

Edmund bucked against the rebel holding him back, freeing himself to run to Helena’s side.

A door crashed open, spilling loyalists into the hall. They froze when they saw the scene now playing out.

Dell lifted his eyes to find Estevan and Bemus leading their followers forward.

Around him, guards braced for a fight. But not Dell. He held Len tighter against his chest. Edmund took her hand as his glassy eyes found Estevan.

“Are you going to make me fight you, brother?” Estevan asked. He scanned the group, his eyes landing on Helena and widening before returning to Cole. “Why her, Cole? Why Len? I know how you’ve always felt about mother, father, even me… but Helena? She loved you more than any of us and you…” His voice grew thick. “She was good. And now she’s—”

“Not dead,” Dell said, his words echoing down the hall. “Not dead.”

Estevan’s shoulders dropped. “Not dead?”

Edmund met the prince’s eyes and shook his head.

They stayed locked in a silent communication. Edmund mouthed the word “no”.

Estevan nodded. “I’m sorry, Edmund.” He faced his brother. “I want this to end.”

Cole crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”

“The palace you fought so hard for is crumbling. People continue to battle through the night. The fire engulfing the royal residence will spread if not contained.”

“All things we are aware of, Stev. Tell me why I should negotiate with you instead of run you through with my sword.”

“I’ll surrender.”

“Stev,” Edmund groaned. “You can’t do this.”

Estevan ignored his protest. “I will allow you to take my throne and my person. You can do as you wish with me. Make an example. Kill me. I won’t fight it. I’ll tell the loyalists to stand down and begin repairing their kingdom. No more fighting. No more destruction.”

Cole narrowed his eyes. “What do you want in return?”