Estevan stepped forward, fire burning in his gaze. “Release them. All of them. Edmund. Helena. Kassander. Dell. Allow them to leave Madra. It’s the only way to complete your takeover of the throne. The people will never move past the unrest as long as they fight for me.”

“You can’t possibly be considering this,” Ian snapped at Cole. “You promised Helena to me.”

“Shut up.” Cole commanded.

The rebels returned with a graying healer in tow. Dell clutched Helena tighter, refusing to let her go. Dell scanned the healer’s gaunt face. Deep lines were carved into his skin. He moved past Cole and Stev in their now silent standoff and dropped to his knees slowly.

“I am healer Whiston,” he stated. “Let me see the princess.”

Dell finally relinquished his hold on her to turn her small frame, revealing the deep wound in her shoulder. Red seeped free of the gash, spreading out through the fabric of her bodice.

Healer Whiston leaned in, peering at it for only a moment before lifting his eyes to the new king. “Fatal, I’m afraid.”

No emotion coated his words, but they had the impact of a thousand battering rams driving the destruction from the inside out. Dell shook his head, unable to believe it. Not wanting to see this as the end.

Cole cleared his throat, fighting back his own feelings. “I accept your terms, Estevan Rhodipus. With Helena passing into the after, the rest of them mean nothing to me.” He turned away from his remaining family. “I will allow you to say goodbye. Dell will be allowed to leave with Helena and Kassander. I cannot let Camille join them, however. We will use Edmund’s gift to get your message out to the people and then he will be free to leave as well.”

“No,” Edmund’s voice cut through the tension like glass. “I can’t. I’m not leaving you.” His eyes pleaded with Estevan as Cole began walking away.

Estevan dropped to his knees in front of Edmund. “I once asked you to keep my family safe from rebellion. We didn’t know the threat would come from inside. But I need to ask this of you again. Protect Kass as if he was your own blood. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with his life.”

Tears streamed down Edmund’s face and he pressed his forehead against Estevan’s. “What is he going to do to you, Stev?” He closed his eyes. “I have this feeling I’m never going to see you again and that…” He sucked in a breath. “I love you.”

Estevan brushed Edmund’s tears away with his thumbs and pressed his lips to the Belaen’s. “You brought me to life, Edmund of Bela. I may be headed toward my own execution, but I will be grateful to you until the day I die.”