He met Edmund’s gaze, seeing the same truth in his eyes. Neither of them had a choice. They had to fight for Madra because the alternative was unthinkable.

Chapter Fourteen

Edmund stomped back into the house, the door slamming behind him. He didn’t stop until he stood in front of Helena. For a moment, they only stared at each other—her in apprehension, him in relief. He closed the short distance and crushed her to him.

“Aw, Edmund,” she wheezed. “Were you worried about me?”

“Don’t joke about this, Helena. This isn’t you escaping the palace to experience the city. You disappeared from the Madran games. Your games. Do you have any idea how upset your father is?”

“I didn’t know he cared.”

Edmund pulled away from her and held her at arm’s length. “Don’t be a fool, princess. The king knows you weren’t abducted. Quinn has already received his punishment and priests have swarmed the city looking for you.”

She batted his arms away and turned to clutch the back of the couch in the sitting area. Quinn. She closed her eyes, releasing a breath. How could she have been so stupid? She hadn’t even thought of her brother since leaving the games behind.

“Tell me everything, Edmund.” Her voice cracked. “Please.”

He seemed to recover from his irritation and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She laid her free hand over his and squeezed.

“Come,” he said, his voice gentle as if speaking to a child. “I must return you to the palace. We can talk on the way.”

A white carriage waited for them outside his front gate. Helena eyed Edmund. “They knew I’d come here first, didn’t they?”

“Stev thought you might.”

She flicked her eyes to the royal crest emblazoned on the carriage door. The two wings wrapped around a sword brought another set of wings to mind. The angel Dell carved with such care. Her breath hitched, and she covered it with a cough.

She was the princess of Madra, soon to be head of the merchant council. If anyone knew of the connection she shared with Dell, Tenyson or not, she’d be ruined. If they knew she’d revealed her face to a man, no matter how noble his blood may be…

Another question came to the forefront of her mind. Now that Dell’s lineage was known, would he come to the ball? Would he allow himself to be a part of his own family if it meant becoming hers?

No, that was a silly fantasy.

He wouldn’t save her from her father choosing Ian for her, or from a life spent wholly within Madra. She’d forever be grateful for today, for the bit of something more he’d shown her.

She only wished Quinn hadn’t been caught up in her deceptions.