They made their way over slowly. Camille dipped into a curtsy and Helena couldn’t take her eyes from the cane.

But the queen was better at concealing her curiosities than her daughter. “Princess, we are honored to have you with us.”

“Gaule is honored by this alliance.”

Nothing about herself, only her kingdom.

Kassander recovered from his initial shock. He bowed to Camille. “My lady.”

Amusement lit in Edmund’s eyes, but it turned to concern as he took in Camille’s blank expression.

“Can we leave now?” she asked.

“Yes, dear.” The queen signaled one of the guards.

Edmund rode in the carriage with them back to the palace, not wanting to let Camille out of his sight as they left the city outside the gates.

Chapter Six

Helena had dreamed of having a sister. What would it be like? Would she be more friend than protector?

But she lived her life surrounded by boys who excluded her. They eventually turned into men who protected her at the expense of her even having a chance at a life beyond the palace.

None of her brothers had married yet. They were all of age except for Kassander, but in Madra, royal marriages had to occur in the order of the succession line.

They’d searched for someone worthy of Stev. The heir to the throne had a duty to make a strong alliance with his marriage.

What did the king fear more than anything? The kingdoms full of magic. That made Gaule a natural ally. Even a widowed princess with a twisted foot would do if it gave Madra a stronger foothold across the sea and an ally who feared magic as much as them.

Helena stared at Camille across the sitting room. The Gaulean princess sipped her tea, acting as if no one else was even in the room. Stev sat nearby, his fists clenching in agitation.

Camille had been there for two days and barely spoken to anyone but Edmund or her own guards.

Stev stood abruptly and stormed from the room. Camille let out an audible breath.

Helena couldn’t take it anymore. “I know nothing about you.”

Camille lifted her eyes. “What?”

“We have stories here in Madra about Gaule and Bela. Queen Persinette, King Alexandre, Queen Catrine, Prince Tyson, but not you. I’ve never heard of Princess Camille.”

She ran her hands through her hair before twisting it over one shoulder. “I…” She stopped.

“I didn’t mean you have to tell me.” Helena crossed her arms. “I don’t really care. All I’m saying is that you sit here in our home and act like Madra is so completely beneath you, and yet, you aren’t even mentioned by the minstrels when they talk of Bela and Gaule winning the war against Dracon. How important could you really be?”

Tears formed in Camille’s eyes and Helena instantly regretted her brash words.