“Release your magic, Edmund. There’s music playing.” He shrugged off Edmund’s hand. “I’ll leave, but not until I save a princess from a beast.”

Chatter crashed in at them, rising above the music, assaulting his every sense as Edmund’s magic faded away.

“Dell.” One warning. That was all Edmund gave him before Dell made his way toward his brother, holding a beauty captive.

He had to ruin one final thing for Ian. If tomorrow saw the end of this family’s rule, this girl wouldn’t spend another minute trapped in Ian’s embrace.

The music stopped and dancers turned to clap. Dell stepped up to the princess’ side and bowed. “Princess,” he said smoothly, a smile playing on his lips. “Would you do the honor of giving me the next dance?”

Ian growled. “I don’t even know who you are, but the princess and I are not finished.” He clamped a hand on the princess’ bare shoulder.

Dell lifted Ian’s hand off the girl who still hadn’t spoken. “I believe she can choose a partner for herself.”

A smile formed on her lips, and she hid it behind a cough before extending one delicate gloved hand to Dell.

He took it and led her away from his seething brother.

The Dell of weeks ago never would have imagined sharing a dance with the mysterious princess who was kept behind the high palace walls. Yet there he was, sliding his hand around her waist.

She still hadn’t said a word, but he smiled kindly at her. What had Edmund called him? “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I’m Andrew Isaacs.”

She gazed up at him, her eyes two deep green orbs in the holes of the mask. What did she look like below that lacy fabric? He imagined she’d take his breath away.

As he stared into her entrancing eyes, something familiar struck him. The music began, and he shook it off as the dance began. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d danced, but the moves his mother taught him as a boy came back naturally.

The princess coughed lightly, clearing her throat. “Thank you.”

Her voice was so quiet he almost didn’t hear her. “For what, Princess?”

She didn’t respond.

He couldn’t help the next question that left his mouth. “What did Ian say to you?”

She widened her eyes in surprise but only gave a slight shake of her head.

Dell pulled her closer. “I saw the way you tensed when he spoke to you.”

“How do you know it was because of him and not the dancing?”

He flattened his fingers against her spine, forgetting for a moment just who she was. He may not understand a lot of things, but women always made sense to him. It had gotten him into more trouble than he could remember.