A woman whose voice Dell didn’t recognize responded. “And there will be a new king?”

“Yes. With me as head merchant. The Tenysons will stay at the tip of the spiral, never having to worry about the long fall down.”

Reed’s eyes widened, and he gripped the door handle, ready to tell his older brother of Dell’s presence.

Dell whipped his whittling knife from his pocket and lunged for Reed, holding the sharp tip at his throat. “Don’t make a sound,” Dell whispered.

Ian continued speaking in the hall. “We have been assured all preparations are complete. Our man inside the palace tells me it’s time to move. The army stands at the ready.”

The woman hummed low in her throat. “I see. My messengers have all departed. Everything will be set. I do wish you extended your trust enough to tell me who will let us in.”

Dell strained his ears… waiting.

“I’m sorry,” Ian said after a brief moment. “I cannot do that until the time is right.”

Their footsteps faded away, and Dell pulled the knife from Reed’s throat.

“Dell…” Reed eyed him cautiously. “You could ruin everything.”

Dell tilted his head to the side, studying the brother he was only now seeing for the first time. “The question now is—do you want me to ruin everything?”

Reed jerked away from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Those words were treason, Reed.” Dell pointed to the door. “Treason! Are you a traitor to Madra?”

“They’re trying to save Madra.”

Dell laughed harshly. “They’re trying to wrest the power from the king, but you can’t seriously think they’ll use that power to fix the kingdom.”

“The king is a worthless fool.”

Dell nodded. “And he’s cruel and sends too many young men and women to die in senseless battles. But give me a break, Reed. You know Ian. You know the kinds of people he’d associate with.” He froze. Edmund was right. His entire family was plotting against the royals.

And he suddenly knew what side he was on.

The side that prevented civil war and didn’t allow Ian anywhere near the merchant council’s ruling chair.

“I have to go.” He pushed Reed out of the way and yanked the door open moments before crashing into Ian.

“Seems we have a problem.” Ian’s lip curled.

Dell refused to back down. “Seems we do.” He prepared for the fight he knew was coming.

Ian put two fingers in his mouth and a shrill whistle sounded. Heavy boots pounded up the steps. Dell didn’t know what was going on or why the thugs running toward them were with his brother.

“Lock him in the cellar.” Ian gestured toward Dell, and the four men surrounded him, preventing him from escape. One took the clothes he still held and handing them to the wide-eyed Reed.