Like a dog responding to its master, Reed advanced. Dell glanced between them. Each was larger than him and with his fighting skills he could take down one. But what then? What would his stepmother do?

So, he did the only thing he could think of.

Dell ran, his exhausted legs stumbling the first few steps.

He wasn’t proud of it, but he had no choice. If they’d been anyone else, he’d have taken them on and fought until he couldn’t anymore. But his brothers were untouchable.

He made it to the end of the docks and heard their steps thundering after him, punctuated by Ian’s yelled threats. He turned onto the street and ducked into an alley, jumping over something he barely even saw without breaking his speed.

He hurtled onto the next street and was halfway down when someone yelled to him sharply.

“Dell.”

Dell’s feet skidded to a halt, and he turned to find Edmund standing with Agathe in front of her bakery.

Edmund walked into the street just as Ian and Reed appeared. They stopped a few yards away, their eyes seething. They didn’t dare touch Dell with the Belaen Ambassador present.

Dell bent over, gasping for breath as the day’s work caught up with him.

How was Edmund always so calm?

Edmund straightened his shoulders to face Dell’s brothers.

Agathe stepped up beside Dell. “It’s okay, dear.”

Dell’s mind spun rapidly. “You know who I am? Does everyone?” He glanced toward the row of deserted shops.

“Only me,” she assured him. “And only for the last few months.”

Edmund’s voice was not one to argue with. “You Tenyson’s…” He shook his head. “I have only been in Madra a year, but even I know how the tip of the spiral is supposed to behave. Mistreating your brother is below your station.”

“He’s not our brother,” Ian growled. “Just a servant.”

A blast of air whipped around them, trapping them as it swirled. Edmund’s voice seemed to carry on the wind itself.

“You will leave Dell to attend his duties in peace. The next person to lay a hand on him will answer to me.”

The wind dropped and silence descended on them until they could hear again. “Do you understand?” Edmund’s voice lowered again.

Ian and Reed didn’t respond. Instead, they turned and walked away as fast as they could without it seeming like they were running.

Dell grinned at Edmund and started a slow clap. “Bravo, friend. You just made the sons of the most powerful merchant in Madra wet themselves.”

Agathe shook her head. “You’re a vulgar one, Dell.” She eyed Edmund. “If you’re okay, I still have to lock up for the night.”

Edmund nodded. “I must speak to Dell.”