As she stepped from the room, Quinn held in a laugh and handed her a cloak.

“Where did you get this?” she asked. It was a thin linen, worn mostly by commoners.

“One of the guards.” He shrugged as he eyed her curiously. “I thought Stev was joking when he told me before, but you really could pass for a young man.”

“Just what every woman wants to hear.”

He leaned in. “Those trying to disguise themselves should be pleased with the observation.”

She started down the hall and turned to her brother once more. “Quinn… thank you.”

“Any time, little sister. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through years of war, it’s that freedom is often more important than safety or tradition.”

She smiled once more as she rounded the corner. That was why she’d gone to Quinn for help. He understood.

She raced through the back hall until she found the door leading to the rest of the arena. A guard stood to one side, but he barely glanced at her, probably assuming she was a servant. They were worried about people coming in, not leaving.

That could be a problem for her, but she didn’t stop to think about her return.

The crowd enveloped her as soon as she stepped onto the arena floor under the open sky. They wrapped her in their excitement. Their cheers vibrated through her bones. Adrenaline shot through her heart. This was what the royal family missed up on their platform.

Down here, among the people, there was life.

She nudged her way through the throng until she came upon the boxing match she’d needed to see up close. Was Corban here in case Dell needed him?

Sweat dripped between the ridges of Dell’s abs and Helena’s cheeks warmed as she remembered the day at the river. The day she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about.

Right before Dell risked himself trying to protect her from Stev.

A crunch ripped through the air as Orlo’s fist connected to Dell’s jaw. The crowd cheered, rooting for Orlo. He was one of the few fighters who was one of them and not a merchant.

Helena shrank back as Dell reeled from the impact, his eyes connecting with hers as blood flew from his mouth.

An old woman beside her gasped. “That poor boy.”

Helena couldn’t help herself as she pulled the hood of the cloak farther around her face and turned to the woman. “You know the boxers, ma’am?”

She nodded, wiping a tear from under her eye. “Dell is such a sweet boy. Those brothers of his on the other hand…” She clamped her mouth shut as if she’d said something she shouldn’t.

“Len.” Dell’s voice had Helena snapping her eyes to his. Orlo had retreated for a moment.

Crimson blood trickled from a cut on his brow, but he smiled.