She resisted the urge to sigh again. The formality always grated on her. It was as if the people of the palace feared her. In truth, they just didn’t know her. Not like they did her brothers.

She passed under the narrow stone archways that led to the main training yard, and the clash of swords caused her to stop.

Helena watched the twins in fascination. They moved parallel to each other, perfectly in sync as they battled. When Quinn jabbed to the right, Cole knew it was coming. When Cole twisted and tried to take out Quinn’s leg, his twin saw it before it happened.

She’d always been jealous of their bond. The bastard princes hadn’t grown up with the privilege she enjoyed along with Stev and Kass. They enjoyed more freedom.

The twins were raised in a tavern until they were ten years old and their mother died. It was only then the king admitted to the knowledge of their existence. It wasn’t unusual in Madra for the king to sire many children. In fact, it was expected. That was how a royal family cemented their power—by spreading it out among different parts of the kingdom. The monarchy. The council of merchants. The priesthood. The army. Recognizing Quinn and Cole as royals expanded the Rhodipus’ control. It left only one faction without a royal—the priesthood. But Kassander would one day fill that role.

Even after they were taken into the palace, Quinn and Cole were united against the world. But never against Helena.

Kass bumped Helena’s elbow. “Will I fight like them some day?”

She smiled, her cheeks pressing against the soft mask. Many days, she stayed hidden in the family residence to avoid wearing the thing. She looked to the sky, longing to feel the sun warm her face.

“You’re to be a priest, Kass. You’ll fight with your words.” She ruffled his hair.

“And you, Len? What will you fight with?”

The question was one she’d asked herself many times. As head of the council, she wasn’t sure what she’d be fighting for. When she saw her future, she wanted to be anyone but the princess of Madra.

“I’ll… I guess I’ll use my intellect to fight.” Not her knives as she preferred.

Kassander scoffed. “Sounds boring.”

She laughed, the sound loud enough to reach the twins who both stopped fighting to turn to her. “It does. Doesn’t it?”

Kassander shrugged.

Cole ran toward them, his bare chest glistening with sweat. “Didn’t know we had an audience.”

“I didn’t get much of a chance to speak with you yesterday.” Helena shot her brother a grin.