“I’m sorry,” Camille whispered. “I just don’t know how…” She wiped her eyes. “I don’t know how to do this again.”

“Do what?”

“Marry a man I don’t know. My kingdom needs this alliance. My mother’s wish is to create a world where each kingdom is tied to the others to prevent the kind of war that happened before. I’m her tie to Madra.”

“You’re the kingdom’s tool.”

Camille nodded. “Again. This is the second time I’ve had to marry for the good of the kingdom.”

Helena stood and crossed the room before dropping onto the couch beside Camille. “I know how you feel. I get to choose my husband as long as he’s Madran… that’s the official law… but my father will be the real decision maker at the ball.”

“We hear stories in Gaule as well.” Camille’s eyes scanned the mask covering Helena’s face. “Of the hidden princess. Must you always shield your face? That’s a terrible burden.”

She had no idea, Helena thought. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep. Not a burden, a duty.

Before Helena could utter another word, Edmund appeared in the doorway. “Princesses.”

“Edmund.” Helena raised a brow at his hesitancy.

“Stev has asked me to take Camille into the city. He’d like her to see more of Madra than this palace.”

More than anyone had ever wanted for her, Helena thought. Edmund’s eyes bore into her. How could he always read her thoughts?

“Just go,” she snapped.

When they were gone, she pulled her feet up under her and untied the laces of her mask. It fell to the ground as if it held all the weight of the world.

Maybe not the world, but every bit of weight she carried with her rested in the curves of that fabric.

Chapter Seven

“Be loyal to me, Dell,” Dell grumbled as he jammed the shovel into another pile of horse crap. “I’ll give you something to fight for.” He dumped the manure in the bucket and went for another. “Load of bollocks.”

The horse in the neighboring stall kicked at the wall separating them and Dell shook his head. “Relax, Ian.” He’d named the horse after his eldest brother. Maybe it was the long, ugly face or the arrogant disposition that reminded him of his brother.

Each of his family members had a namesake in the barn. Reed was the pig in the end stall that failed to thrive on his own.

And Dell’s stepmother? Well, she was the single cow they owned.

These weren’t their actual names, of course, but it gave Dell some small pleasure.

He leaned his shovel against the wall, his mind going to Edmund once more. He’d told him the king would be overthrown, and then he left.

Dell wasn’t even sure which side he was on.