She bent over, trying to catch her breath. Everything would be okay. Home was right in front of her. Her first ever trip outside the palace hadn’t destroyed her life. She glanced back over her shoulder as adrenaline pumped through her. Being out among the people thrilled her. It gave her something she’d been missing most of her life. A sense of connection with the kingdom her family ruled.

She had to get out there again.

As she set her hand on the door, she pushed just as she’d been taught. A soft click sounded and light flooded the tunnel.

She tumbled into the bedroom that had gone unused since their grandmother was alive. The picture slid back into place to conceal the door. She laughed to herself.

A cough interrupted her celebration, and she twisted on her heel to find Stev leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

He didn’t say a word as he pointed to the table at his side. Her soft mask with ivory lace lay flat against the marble.

She walked forward and picked it up. As she set it against her skin and tied the ribbons at the back of her head, she couldn’t help but feel as if the prison Edmund spoke of was now hers.

Satisfied, Stev nodded and left without a word.

It was only then Helena noticed Kassander sitting on the bed, his excitement making his limbs jump.

“Hey buddy,” she said. “You can’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

“I know. Stev already told me.” His bright eyes fixed onto her face. “I like it better when you’re not wearing the mask.”

She sighed and wrapped both arms around her brother, pulling him into her lap. Resting her chin on his head, she spoke into his soft chestnut curls. “Me too, kid.”

Chapter Two

Dell’s life had never been a fairytale, but there was a time when he didn’t dread going home. A time when he’d run through the front door, skid to a halt in front of the table, and steal whatever his mother had spent the day baking.

She’d scold him, but never without a smile on her face. Then she’d ruffle his hair.

Until the day she no longer stood before him. The day they carted him off to live with a father he’d never met and half-brothers he knew nothing about.

He’d been a sad boy with pretty dreams of being welcomed into a family when he’d lost the only one he’d known. But he’d soon learned fantasy only lived to tease you with what you could never have.