Dell couldn’t take his eyes from them even as a servant walked by carrying a tray of wine glasses.

“My lord.”

The words echoed vaguely in his mind.

“My lord.” The servant stopped in front of him, her eyes tilting with concern. “Are you okay, my lord?”

She’d been talking to him? The title of lord didn’t sit well with him. But what could he say? I am no lord. His cover would be blown. Mari’s magic made them all see something new, but he still felt like himself.

He rubbed a hand over his jaw and took a glass from her tray. “I’m fine.” He drained the wine without coming up for air and handed the empty cup to her.

He found Edmund standing near the far wall with Reed by his side. Without another glance at the servant who still stood in front of him, he marched across the room, barely seeing those who had to move out of his way.

Edmund’s brow furrowed in confusion as Dell stopped right in front of him. “I need to speak with you,” Dell said, his eyes flicking to his brother who now watched him curiously.

“I’m sorry.” Edmund leaned forward to look more closely. “Do I know you?”

“Edmund.” Dell blew out a frustrated breath. “You told me to put my faith in you. That having something to fight for changed your life. I now know what you meant.”

Edmund’s eyes widened in understanding. “Excuse me, Reed. Lord… Isaacs is an old friend I did not recognize at first. I must speak with him.”

“Of course.” Reed glanced from Edmund to Dell and back again. “Remember what we’ve spoken of.”

“I will.”

Reed nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

All sound abruptly ceased and Dell jumped. “Dammit, Edmund, I will never get used to that.”

Edmund’s voice was low as he spoke. “I sent Mari and Taron to get you out of Madra. When Reed told me what you’d overheard…” He shook his head. “We’re lucky Ian didn’t kill you outright.”

“Since when is Reed on our side?”

“Since he learned who Ian is working with inside the palace.”

“Who is it?” Dell asked.

“He hasn’t told me yet.” Edmund glanced over his shoulder at the crowd whose sounds couldn’t reach them while his magic was at play. “Reed doesn’t trust me. But he didn’t want Ian to kill you.”

Dell wished it didn’t surprise him that someone in his family wanted him to live.

Edmund reached out to grip Dell’s arm tightly. “Mari’s magic is dangerous, Dell. It fades and you won’t be able to feel it happening. You shouldn’t have come.”

“I know.”