Edmund finally turned to look at her, pleading with her for something, anything to hold on to. “What kind of shard did this create? Where is our weapon?”

She broke their stare, gazing out at the rolling waters slapping the side of their ship. She sucked in a breath, the need for vengeance coming on so suddenly it shocked even her.

When she turned to Edmund once more, her eyes swirled with every emotion in each of their chests. One simple word could shape their entire future.

“Me.”

Chapter Thirty

Plans rolled through Helena’s mind. A light had entered Edmund’s eyes at her declaration. He was with her. They may not be able to save Stev, but they could reclaim the throne.

She could make Cole pay for everything he’d done.

And she would.

As if the desire for revenge fused the pieces together, she found herself feeling whole once again. This was who she was meant to be.

Madra may have been a glass kingdom, but she was stronger than that.

She stood on deck with Dell on one side and Edmund on the other. Kassander stood at the rail, eagerly scanning the shores of Bela.

White cliffs loomed over the sea surrounded by lush green forests and a white sandy beach. The docks were not quite the bustling port of Madra, but plenty of people witnessed their approach.

Four figures stood at the end of the wharf, waiting. As soon as the sailors tied the ship off, Edmund led them forward.

“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. “Etta can be quite intimidating, but it’s really her horse that’s the scary one.”

Dell laughed. “Her horse? You’re scared of a horse?”

“You haven’t met Vérité.”

The woman who stepped in front of the others was not what Helena had expected. She didn’t wear the long gown of other queens Helena had met. Instead, fighting leathers stretched across her small frame. Long golden hair twisted into a braid that hung over one shoulder, but no crown sat nestled in the tresses.

“That’s the queen?” Helena asked.

Edmund chuckled.

The queen’s stern face transformed as soon as she saw Edmund and she sprinted down the wharf, throwing herself into his arms and wrapping her thin legs around his waist.

Dell raised an eyebrow and Helena looked on in shock. No formality or sense of decorum. Who was this queen?

Edmund squeezed her so tight, Helena thought the queen would explode.

“I’ve missed you, Edmund.”

Edmund set her down. The smile on his lips didn’t reach his eyes and Helena wasn’t the only one who noticed. The queen touched his face.

“I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.” Her tone was serious, but it didn’t hold the weight it would if she knew the truths he was really carrying. She didn’t know everything he’d left behind.