The priest tried to hide his disgust at the smell of unwashed bodies as he gently led her to the door, but his nose crinkled.

Helena had grown used to it, sure her own smell wasn’t pleasant after so long in her cell.

He found a key on his crowded key ring and unlocked the door. Fresh air struck her the moment she stepped out of the prison.

The monastery that housed the priests was a compound of buildings she’d never visited before. In her studies, she’d learned aside from the prison, they had a winery, as well as lavish living quarters.

The priest led her down a dirt pathway to a nearby brick building. Inside, furnishings were sparse.

Koran released her. “These are my quarters.”

Something wasn’t right. “Why have you brought me here?”

“Ah, so you do speak.”

“Of course she speaks,” a third voice said. “Sometimes she won’t shut up.”

“Stev.” As her brother appeared from an adjoining room, she ran toward him, her tired legs faltering.

Stev had never been the hugger of the family—not like the twins—but this time, he wrapped her in his arms as if he never wanted to let go.

“I’ve been so worried,” he said. “We didn’t know where you were. Kassander has been crying every night. Cole beat the crap out of a few of father’s guards trying to get the information. But you know how loyal they are.”

Helena released him and peered up at his tired eyes. “How’d you find me?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I worried the entire time you might be here, but then I convinced myself father would never allow them to take you. I was wrong. I had Edmund looking into it.”

“His spies?” One corner of her mouth quirked up.

Only Edmund would take a post as ambassador in a foreign kingdom and then develop a network of spies better than the ones employed by the prince.

“I reached out to Koran.” He sent a nod toward the priest. “I’ve had him keeping an eye on Kassander’s training.”

Relief rushed through her at the words Stev wasn’t saying. He didn’t trust the priesthood either. “When you’re king, Stev…”

“Helena,” he said in warning. “We cannot only plan for a future that lays many years down the road. We must deal with things as they stand now. Your ball is tomorrow night. You will return to the palace with me now.”

“But father—”

“He cannot punish all of us, can he?”

Her lips quirked up. “Yes, he can.”

Stev laughed, the sound so unlike him, Helena stepped back.

His laugh cut off abruptly. “I’m sorry. I’m just so relieved to have you with me.”

His face grew serious, and Helena reached up to brush her thumb over his cheek. Her brother tried to hide everything deep inside himself. He always had.