A man joined them, hugging Edmund just as hard as the queen had.

“Alex,” Edmund said. “I need to tell you something.”

“Camille is still in Madra,” the man said, releasing Edmund. “I know.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Alex clasped his shoulder and turned to Helena and Dell. “I imagine you have stories for us.”

“How did you know we were coming?” Edmund asked.

“Ara is in Cana. Near the Madran border. Apparently, the Canan ambassador rode for the border as soon as the rebellion began.”

Edmund nodded as if it all made perfect sense.

“Am I the only one thinking that still doesn’t explain how you knew what happened so quickly?” Helena asked.

All eyes turned to her.

The queen studied her from loose-fitting trousers to soiled tunic. “Ara is a magic wielder. She can direct her voice to be heard over a great distance.”

Magic. Of course.

“Are you going to introduce us, Edmund?” the queen asked. “Or are you just going to be rude?”

Edmund wrapped an arm around Helena. “This is Princess Helena of Madra.”

The queen’s eyes widened.

Edmund continued, pointing to Kass. “Prince Kassander.”

“Edmund,” the king said his name as a curse. “Are we to have Madran forces showing up on our shores demanding their return?”

“The only way I go back,” Helena started. “Is to reclaim what’s mine.”

The queen smiled. “I like her.”

Edmund introduced the others as another man ran toward them. He launched himself at Edmund, thumping him on the back. “Never leave again,” the young man said. Dark curls flopped into his eyes.

“Hey, Ty,” Edmund said. “Meet the prince and princess of Madra.” Edmund looked to Helena. “This is Prince Tyson.

Tyson shot them a grin. “Ty is fine.” He turned back to Edmund. “Matteo is here too.”

A shadow crossed over Edmund’s face, and Helena slipped her hand into his. As they were led down the docks, she leaned in. “You okay?”

“I used to think I loved Matteo. When I left for Madra, it hurt. But not like this. Not like Stev. I can’t tell any of them about Stev. I can’t have them looking at me as if I’m broken. Especially Matteo.”

“You’re not broken, Edmund.”

She only wished she could feel that way herself.

Matteo greeted them, not meeting Edmund’s eyes, and then the royal family led them through the village. No guards followed them. The people smiled as they passed, but none bowed. No beggars sat on street corners. Elderly folk did not live in shacks at the edge of town. It was as if the village was frozen in time, untouched by poverty or strife.

But Helena knew that wasn’t true. They’d fought for what they had. The queen who looked more like a warrior had risked everything to give her people their freedom.

Why couldn’t Helena do the same?