Glass Princess

by M. Lynn

  “Will you be able to hold off Dracon without the Madran units?” Helena asked.

  Etta didn’t hesitate. “Oh yes. Without La Dame, Dracon is no real threat. I’m more concerned with our supposed allies abandoning us.”

  “Then don’t let them.” Helena turned her body to angle toward Etta. “Let’s go to Madra. Let’s remove Cole from the throne.”

  Before Helena finished speaking, Etta was shaking her head. “I’m sorry. When I said I can’t do that, I meant it.” She scrubbed a hand across her face. “I’ve only been a queen for a few short years. I only know what I can’t do. I’m not sure how to fix this.”

  It was on the tip of Helena’s tongue—to reveal the man who promised to help her. But would Etta allow a mercenary into her kingdom?

  Helena sat up straighter, thinking of something Etta had said. The port was closed to foreign vessels. How was she supposed to return home? She refused to believe her plan had failed before she even started.

  What plan, though? So far, all she had was “Get to Madra.” She hadn’t seen Will on the roads into Bela and didn’t even know if he’d made it.

  Etta’s eyes stayed transfixed on the flowers before them. Was she thinking of everything to come as Helena was? This would only get worse before it got better, and they both knew it.

  “I respect you, Helena.” Her words were so sudden, they made Helena jump. “You would make a wonderful queen.”

  Queen? Helena couldn’t think that far ahead. She’d never wanted the role. All she could see was the fight ahead.

  Etta hadn’t finished. “But I need to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me.”

  “Okay.” She could try, at least.

  “If you go to Madra, what is your purpose?”

  Helena clenched her hands together. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Our sources tell us Cole Rhodipus has not made sweeping changes that will hurt the Madran people. He hasn’t raised taxes—in fact, he lowered them. Madran trade will suffer, but it will drive prices down for the average city-dweller. He may not do right by the rest of us, but he could be good for Madra. You can stay here in Bela where you’re safe and set up a life for yourself. Why fight this fight?”

  “Cole has Quinn. I have to do it for my brother.”

  “Quinn can take care of himself from all accounts. That isn’t your true reason.”

  “It’s the only one I have.”

  Etta gave her head a sad shake. “Now you aren’t even being honest with yourself.” She stood. “Just… be careful, Helena. I’ve been down the vengeance road before. All it does is break you apart until the only thing left is a shattered girl. You don’t want to be the person with nothing left to lose.”

  Those words stuck in Helena’s mind, rattling around until they latched on and refused to let go.

  As Etta walked back to the house, another face appeared, breaking into a wide smile as soon as he saw Helena.

  “Kass.” She scrambled from the bench and sprinted toward him, ignoring her tired muscles.

  He jumped into her arms, nearly knocking her over. “Len. You came back.”

  She pulled away to look at him and wiped a tear from his damp cheek. “Kassander, did you think I wouldn’t return?”

  He shrugged, and it broke her heart. “Quinn isn’t with you.”

  She smoothed down his unruly curls.

  “No. He’s in Madra now.” Bending down, she peered into his glassy eyes. “But we’ll get him back. I promise.”

  He nodded. “I know you’ll try.”

  When did her kid brother lose the hope he’d always had inside him?

  “Come here.” She pulled him back into her arms. “If nothing else, you and I still have each other, right?”

  “Lenny, please don’t leave me behind again. I know you’re going back to Madra, and I want to come.”

  She closed her eyes, resting her chin on his head. No. It was too dangerous. You never want to be the person with nothing left to lose.

  As long as Kass was safe, some small part of her would remain whole.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Helena felt eyes on her with every movement as she slid into the bench at the village tavern. A young woman with bright eyes and auburn hair twisted into a bun appeared at their table.

  Her eyes fell on Edmund and Tyson. “Rumor is you two were across the border.”

  She gestured to a small man darting between tables, and he appeared carrying a tray laden with mugs of ale.

  As soon as he set them in front of the boys, the tension surrounding them snapped.

  Edmund sighed as he lifted the cup to his lips. Dell and Landon drank half of theirs in one gulp. Tyson, moving more slowly, eyed the young woman.

  Helena didn’t touch the cup in front of her.

  “Lana.” Tyson seemed to be the only one still focused on her question. “Crossing the border isn’t anything new for me.”

  Lana leaned down, the bodice of her simple dress bunching at the waist. “Is it as dangerous as everyone says?”

  Roaming bands of Madran thieves. Gaulean bandits. A Queen who lacked control over her own nobles.

  “No.” Sarcasm dripped from Helena’s words. “It was just like a stroll on the beach.”

  What was this girl thinking? Of course, it was dangerous. But not everyone had the luxury of sitting in Bela where none of that danger could reach them. And just like that, she resented everything in this kingdom.

  Lana couldn’t hide the shock on her face, but Helena didn’t care if she was being rude. Those who considered the truth rude weren’t worth her time.

  Before she said anything else, a movement caught her eyes in the corner of the room. A large man sat in the shadows with a cloak covering every inch of skin save his face. A face she recognized.

  Will.

  He’d come.

  “I need air.” Helena shot to her feet.

  “But we just got here.” Dell reached for her arm, and she stepped away.

  Her eyes scanned the noisy tavern, crowded with people laughing and joking as if the world wasn’t breaking apart. Maybe only her world was.

  She walked with purposeful steps to the door and yanked it open. Moonlight cast the ground outside in an ethereal glow. She shut the heavy door behind her, cutting off the laughter from other patrons.

  Only a moment later, the door opened again.

  “Not here.” Will walked past her as if he didn’t know her at all.

  She followed him into an alley connecting the main road to the docks. Living in Madra, she’d grown up used to the constant smell of fish, but in Bela it seemed to permeate everything, as if the sea was a part of the kingdom.

  Only a few sailors lingered this late at night. Will came to a stop and turned to face her. He didn’t push back his hood, but she could make out the edges of black ink on his neck.

  “I want to get something straight right now,” Will said in a low voice. “I’m here because Amalie asked it of me. I don’t give a lick what happens to Madra. It is no longer my home. I fight for more than gold now, and that means I am no more mercenary than you.”

  Everything Helena had learned of Amalie came to mind. She still hadn’t told anyone of the conversation she’d overheard. She cocked her head to the side. “Then what is it you fight for?”

  His lip curled up. “The first thing you’re going to learn about me, Princess, is not to ask questions.”

  “Noted.” Helena crossed her arms. “Tell me how you plan to get me to Madra.”

  Will blew out a breath. “You should be going to the Belaen Queen for help.”

  “This isn’t Bela’s problem.” She grabbed his arm, regretting it as he sent her a cutting look. But she didn’t let go. “You may claim Madra isn’t your home, but it’s mine.”

  “How do you plan to even get close enough to the king, let alone take the crown from his bastard fingers? The people I’m sending you to can keep you safe for a time, but they can’t work mirac
les.”

  Helena released him. “You don’t get to ask questions any more than I do.”

  “Fair enough.” He lifted his eyes to the darkened sky where ominous clouds gathered, threatening to cut off the village from its silver spotlight. “There’s a mercenary ship here in Bela.”

  Helena sucked in a breath. “Etta would never allow it.”

  He lowered his face to pierce her with a stern gaze. “The queen assumes she knows everything happening in her land, but we’re good at what we do. A mercenary knows how to mask themselves. Something you have experience with.”

  She touched her face before even realizing she was doing it. His eyes followed her hands, but he didn’t say another word about it.

  Swallowing thickly, Helena peered around Will to make sure they were still alone. She had to get back to the tavern before Dell came looking for her. Was she really considering boarding a mercenary ship? The only thing she knew about the mysterious Madran warriors was the danger they represented.

  “This… ship…” She pushed out a puff of air. “When does it leave?”

  “The third day of every week at dawn.”

  “That’s only hours from now.”

  He dipped his head to speak. “Unless you want to wait a week.”

  No. She bit her lip nervously. Would she have the courage to face Cole a week from now? What would happen to Quinn in that time? She could use a week to gather help.

  She shook her head. “I have to get to my brother.”

  He nodded as if he had known that would be her answer all along. “It’ll be the only ship preparing to leave before the morning tide. Be there before the sun rises. It won’t wait for you.” He turned to leave.

  “Wait,” she called after him. “You’re not coming with me?”

  He didn’t face her, but his words rang in her ears. “Like I said before, Princess, Madra is no longer my home. My loyalty lies elsewhere. I will not see you again.”

  He left before she could utter the words “thank you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Helena’s been gone a while.” Dell glanced over his shoulder toward the door. “Should we go look for her?”

  Tyson only grunted, his mood no better than when they’d been at the Leroy estate. Landon watched the door, suspicion clouding his face.

  Edmund didn’t look worried. “Lenny sometimes just needs to be alone. She’s been like this as long as I’ve known her.” He reached over to slap Dell’s back. “Relax, Dell. The village is as safe as any place.”

  He didn’t understand. Dell wasn’t worried for her safety. Helena hadn’t been the same since they left Gaule.

  It was as if she was pulling away from him, refusing to let him near. He’d thought she’d finally let him in. The cold princess had warmed.

  But now the ice was back, and he didn’t know what to do.

  When the door opened, and she slipped inside, relief spread through his chest. Just the sight of her calmed him. And then she looked at him and all calm faded away. The light he’d seen in her eyes when he first met her was gone, replaced by a dullness that didn’t fit the princess.

  He stood when she walked toward the table, her dark curls pulled over one shoulder.

  “I was getting worried,” he said, fully aware of the eyes on them.

  Helena gave him a tight smile. “I’m okay, just tired. I think I’m going to go back to Etta’s. I could sleep for a week.”

  His heart sank, but he let out a soft “okay.”

  Without saying goodbye to anyone else, she turned and left the way she’d come.

  Dell dropped back onto the bench and lifted his mug, swallowing the contents before slamming it onto the wooden table.

  Tyson jumped with a curse.

  Edmund shook his head. “Dell…” He laughed but there was no joy in it. “You just had to fall for the princess, didn’t you?” He drained his own mug seconds before the thin man appeared to refill it. Edmund wasted no time in drinking the fresh ale.

  Dell watched him, noticing his drawn face. The Edmund he’d known in Madra had walked with the kind of confidence few possessed. He’d moved with grace and had a deadly charm.

  Now, his shoulders slumped forward as he hunched over the table. Remnants of stress lined his skin. His hands, once made to wield a sword with power and skill, now shook as he wrapped them around the mug.

  Landon rose, breaking Dell from his examination. “I’m done for the night.”

  Dell nodded a goodbye, but no one else acknowledged him as he left.

  Edmund lifted one hand to run it through his hair, tugging on the ends. He raised his eyes and for the first time, Dell saw how closely they resembled the desperation he’d seen in Helena’s.

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, the heady scent of ale swirling in the air. The drink buzzed through Dell’s veins as he lost count of how many he’d had. In Madra, ale wasn’t a common drink. They stuck to cut wine—nothing as strong as in Bela or Gaule.

  Edmund leaned his forehead against the table, his words muffled by the cracked wood. “Why did you let yourself do that, Dell?” He turned his head so his cheek rested against the surface and his eyes found Dell. “She can’t give you everything you want, and you’re going to end up like the rest of us. Empty.”

  Edmunds words were like salt in the wound of Dell’s life, but he knew the Belaen wasn’t truly speaking of Helena.

  “They all leave you empty, princess or not,” Tyson grumbled.

  Edmund closed his eyes. “I just… I wanted to do something. He didn’t let me save him. I thought if I helped Quinn it would feel like he was still with me. Some part of him.”

  How much had Edmund had to drink already? He traced unseen shapes on the table with a finger. No tears stained his cheeks, but his voice broke. “I miss him.”

  Dell put a hand on his friend’s back. He owed so much to Edmund and yet couldn’t do a thing to help him. “He’s with you as long as Helena and Kassander are. As long as you keep them safe for him.”

  Dell had only met Estevan Rhodipus on two occasions. When he’d thought Helena was the prince’s mistress, he’d fought to keep him from controlling her, even brandishing his carving knife knowing full well the consequences of threatening a royal.

  The second time, he’d also been fighting for Helena, but this time the prince had been on his side. He’d thought Estevan to be cold, ruthless. But Edmund saw something else.

  He squeezed Edmund’s shaking shoulder.

  While they had a purpose, a mission, they could all push the events in Madra from their minds. Now they were back in Bela with no path forward. Were they supposed to forget? Was it even possible?

  All Dell knew was with each passing day, Helena drifted further and further away. Yet, she was still there with him. Edmund didn’t even have that.

  He needed to see her. To touch her. To help her forget. Bela was their life now. They couldn’t return to Madra where they’d be arrested on sight. There was nowhere else for them to go.

  He stood and gripped the table as the world tilted around him, and his stomach lurched.

  Tyson laughed. “Looks like Dell had a bit too much.”

  Dell swatted at him, but missed and almost toppled over. All he wanted was his bed, but he wasn’t sure he could leave Edmund in his state. “You going to be okay?”

  Edmund lifted his head, but no answer left his lips. Instead, a new voice intruded on their night. “I’ve got him.”

  Dell turned and tried to place the man behind him. His uniform spoke of importance… “Mathew?”

  “Matteo.” Tyson corrected. “My cousin.”

  The man hadn’t removed his eyes from Edmund. “We met when you first arrived in Bela.”

  Dell remembered then, but it was hazy.

  “You going to make it back okay?” Matteo finally glanced at him.

  There was an intensity to the man Dell had only ever seen in one person. Estevan.

  “I’m going with him.” Tyson stood
and stepped around the table, the drink seemingly not having as much effect on him. He eyed his cousin. “Take care of him. He isn’t himself tonight.”

  “Always.”

  Tyson patted Matteo’s arm before issuing a quick “coming, Dell?”

  Dell hadn’t been in Bela long enough to understand the relationships between the people there. They’d fought together, bled together, and that was sure to bond, but it was more than that. Even through Tyson’s dark mood, he watched out for Edmund as if they were family.

  Dell hadn’t ever had that until Edmund came into his life. Not even his family would have fought for him.

  Neither man talked as they began the short walk among the deserted village streets, both stumbling occasionally.

  Finally, Dell couldn’t hold his questions in anymore. “Matteo… he loves Edmund?”

  Tyson nodded. “Yes.” Dell didn’t think he would elaborate until he heaved a sigh. “They’ were together for two years when Edmund asked Etta for the open ambassador position. None of us wanted him to take it, but he was searching for something. Nothing had ever been easy for him growing up. The war with Dracon only made Edmund want to do something grander with his life than play the day to day political game.”

  “And Matteo didn’t want to go with him?”

  Tyson rubbed the back of his neck. “Edmund didn’t ask him to.”

  Dell glanced back at the road they’d just walked down to where the tavern stood. When he’d first met Edmund, he’d known the stories of the battle with La Dame and the Belaen ambassador with magic. But he’d never truly considered his past. That while he was risking himself playing a dangerous spy game in a kingdom that wasn’t even his, he’d had people in Bela who would have mourned him if it all went wrong.

  Who would mourn Dell?

  They stumbled into Etta’s “palace”, finding the king and queen sitting together near the fire. They both looked up.

  “I didn’t want to go back to my empty home in the village.” Tyson looked to the ground as if afraid they’d tell him to leave.

  Instead, Etta rose and crossed the room to wrap her arms around Tyson. “You smell like an alehouse.”