Kassander portrayed all the bravado of a young boy, but his future in the priesthood terrified him.

Cole wanted their father’s approval despite his obvious disdain for the man. He wanted to be seen as his equal.

And Stev… well, Stev was good. Truly good in the way few people were.

Helena didn’t know what they saw in her. False acceptance of her circumstances? Bravery in the face of an impending marriage—possibly to Ian Tenyson?

In truth, she wanted an adventure outside Madra. To be free from this palace, this life as the hidden princess.

Camille’s appearance interrupted her thoughts. Sophia ushered the other princess into the room before returning to her duties.

Helena sat up, releasing her brothers. Camille watched the four of them longingly.

“Helena,” she started. “Would you like to take a walk with me?”

Helena glanced at Cole in uncertainty. What did this cold princess want with her? And a walk? Camille could barely hobble around with that cane of hers. Surely it would be better for her to have tea in the sitting room. Then every restraint Helena had faced in her life came to mind. People always told her what she couldn’t do because of tradition or because she was the princess. She refused to do that to Camille. If she thought a walk was best, who was Helena to tell her otherwise?

Cole nudged her from the couch, and it was only then she realized she hadn’t yet given her answer. She rose to her feet with a nod. “A walk would be nice.”

Quinn handed her the discarded mask, and she tied it to her face before following Camille from the room.

They walked in silence past the tapestries depicting Madran victories. They reached the door leading to the palace gardens where rows upon rows of flowers longed to bloom. A blast of chilly air rushed at them as they stepped onto the winding stone path that cut through the bushes and trees.

Helena rubbed her arms, wishing she’d thought to bring her cloak.

Camille, seemingly immune to the cold, continued forward, the clop of her cane the only sound between them.

“It’s beautiful here.” Camille’s voice was so small, Helena almost thought she’d imagined it. She knew exactly what the princess meant. Camille spent the prior day in the city with Edmund and compared to the crowded, odorous streets, everything within the palace walls was perfect.

Only, Helena preferred the activity and life those streets possessed. She only grunted in response to Camille.

Camille spoke again. “I’m sorry if I’ve been… rude.”

Helena stopped walking. “Madra may not be your home, but we invited you here to join us.” She shook her head. “I’ve been surrounded by my brothers my entire life, and I love them, but they’re… boys.”