As she glanced back to Dell, the bruises receded and Helena sucked in a breath. Dell’s cut lip stitched itself back together. Helena stumbled back until her butt hit the wall.

Every scratch, every blemish faded away, leaving unmarked bronze skin. Crimson blood still streaked through his jaw length, sun-bleached hair.

He was older than she’d thought him to be during the fight. Dell.

She shook her head vigorously. “This isn’t possible.”

Mari, who had yet to speak a word to Helena, watched her out of the corner of her eye. The princess pulled her cap down further under the scrutinizing gaze. She knew, didn’t she?

Did she know?

Panic clawed at her throat.

Edmund crossed toward her and dropped his voice. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“Aw, Edmund.” A rich voice called from the bed. “Not going to stay to make sure Corban’s mojo is still working?”

Edmund rounded on him. “Five. The number of times I’ve had to bring you here in the last three months. Do you have a death wish, Dell?”

Dell’s vibrant eyes darkened. “Those weren’t all my fault and you know it.”

“Darn it, Dell.” Edmund pulled at the ends of his hair. “If you die…”

Helena didn’t know what they were talking about, but curiosity had her moving closer.

“I’m not going to die,” Dell said simply.

“The illegal fights. Stealing. Do you even have a head on those shoulders?”

An angry flush rose in the young man’s face as if he was about to explode. Helena grabbed Edmund’s arm. “Edmund, leave him be.”

Dell’s anger snapped away in an instant as his eyes fixed on Helena, seeing her for the first time. “Who do we have here?” He sat up to peer closer. “You don’t think you’re fooling anyone in that getup, do you, miss?”

Helena ripped the hat from her head. Her dark curls spilled out, and she turned to Edmund. “Am I that obvious?”

Edmund bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. “Only to scoundrels and deceivers themselves, my dear.” His eyes flicked to each person in the room. “Mari, Corban, I am once again in your debt. I’ll pay for this idiot’s care. Don’t let him return home for a few days. The news of the fight will have spread and we must prevent questions should the king hear.”

He turned to Dell with a scowl. “The next time I see you in an illegal boxing match, I’m leaving you in the bloody dirt. Fool. Orlo should have gutted you.”

Dell flashed a smile that spoke of no cares. “But then who would you yell at every day?”

Edmund grunted.

“You’d miss this pretty face. Go on, Edmund. Admit it. You care about me.”

Edmund’s stern facade cracked, and a laugh slipped through. “Okay, Dell. We’re leaving.”