Glass Princess

by M. Lynn

  Her shirt muffled Tyson’s laugh as he buried his face in her neck.

  Dell walked toward the back hall to give them some privacy. He stopped outside Helena’s door, preparing to knock, needing to see her. Raising a fist to the wood, he paused. If she’d managed to escape their realities for a few hours of sleep, didn’t she deserve the peace? Besides, Kassander shared her bed.

  With a resigned sigh, he turned to push into his own room, freezing as he caught sight of the wild dark strands splayed across his pillow, illuminated by a single candle on a table nearby.

  Helena shifted and turned to face him.

  He wanted more than anything to bring the light back to her eyes.

  “You’re in my room,” he breathed.

  “Dell.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I need you tonight.”

  He toed off his boots, almost stumbling, and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She bunched his shirt in her hands and pulled him down beside her, scooting over to give him room. His fingers skimmed from her face down to her shoulder. He thought of Edmund and the words he’d said. You just had to fall for the princess.

  “Like I had any other choice,” he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers.

  They came from different worlds. He’d spent much of his life swabbing decks, mucking stalls, and avoiding beatings from his brothers. No one to love him. No one to care.

  She’d grown up in a beautiful palace, but hidden from the kingdom. Loved by her brothers and betrayed by one as well.

  How could a man with nothing to give deserve a woman like her?

  He couldn’t. And yet he’d show her they weren’t the people they were raised to be. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her flush against him.

  Helena opened, allowing his tongue to dance with hers, sending sparks through his blood. Digging her fingers into his hips, she kissed a line across his cheek and down his neck.

  “Dell,” she breathed.

  He pulled her shirt free of the trousers and pushed it up to run his hands across the soft skin of her stomach. She shivered under his touch.

  “Tonight I’m yours.” She’d broken the kiss to speak. “All of me. I’ve never… I know you’ve done this before.”

  Dell smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ve never been in love before.”

  She closed her eyes, a brief smile flickering across her lips before it disappeared. “I can’t promise you anything… just right now. I really need you to hold me together.”

  Dell inched his hands up, tracing every curve, memorizing the way she felt in his hands. She hadn’t told him she loved him, but he didn’t need her to. Not yet. They had time.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Helena watched the slow rise and fall of Dell’s bronze chest. Only hours ago, she’d run her hands over every ridge, every muscle. And Dell had plenty. His body resulted from years of hard labor. He hadn’t had a choice in how he spent his days.

  “Just like I don’t have a choice now,” she whispered into the dark. Would he forgive her? She lifted one finger to her lips. A part of her knew this decision would change everything. She just hoped he’d understand.

  Confronting Cole wasn’t something she could run from. Even if it weren’t for the people he now ruled, she’d have to do it for herself. Dell wanted to have a peaceful life. He thought they could start fresh in Bela. But there’d be no peace within her until she dealt with the past and the person who took it from her.

  Bending down, she brushed her lips across Dell’s. “I’m sorry.” As she slid from the bed, she glanced back, wishing she could take him with her. He’d go if she asked. She knew that.

  But he’d never make it out of there alive.

  Would she? She wanted to not care, to not feel anything. Risking her life to get vengeance for her family should have been simple.

  But nothing was ever simple.

  She stepped into her clothing, pulling the trousers up her legs and tying them at the waist. After dragging on a tunic and tucking it in, she paused.

  Sitting on the table beside the short candle was a tiny wooden sword. Of all the things Dell could have carved… She’d seen him create angels and elegant shoes, but this… maybe it was an omen of what was to come. Making a quick decision, she slipped it into her pocket and peered down at the sleeping man once more.

  The first time she’d met him, he’d had blood running down his face from a fight. And still, he’d been beautiful. Even after years of hardship, there was no darkness inside him. Unlike her.

  She closed her eyes, her hand hovering over the top of his head. She could wake him. Decide it had all been a mistake and beg him to come. Her fingers curled into a fist as she retracted her arm. This wasn’t his fight.

  A tear slid down her cheek. “I love you, Dell. For what it’s worth.”

  Wiping the back of her hand across her face, she slipped into the dim hall before returning to her own room. Kassander curled in on himself in the center of the bed.

  She walked forward and leaned down to kiss his forehead. His eyes fluttered open.

  “Len.” Sleep coated his words.

  “It’s okay.” She brushed his hair out of his eyes. “Go back to sleep.”

  He rolled away from her, a soft snore echoing through the room. Trying to be as silent as she could, Helena pulled on her boots and then slipped one of her knives into the sheathe. She wrapped a scabbard around her waist.

  Unable to look at her brother again, she left, shutting the door behind her and leaning back against it.

  She’d promised not to leave him again. His voice entered her mind and tears pricked her vision. There was no time for sentiment. She wiped her eyes and walked into the living space. A leg was draped over the back of the couch. She rounded it to find Edmund sprawled face first on the velvet cushions.

  “Matteo dropped him off.”

  Helena jumped at Etta’s voice. Etta walked around her to sit on the arm of the couch, a mug of tea clutched between her hands. She gave Helena a sheepish smile. “I couldn’t get him into a bed and didn’t want to wake anyone.”

  “When did he get home?”

  “Oh, that was hours ago. I just couldn’t sleep after seeing him like that.” She peered into her tea as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. “He’s struggling, and I don’t know how to help him.”

  Helena glanced at the door. She didn’t have time for this. But it was Edmund. “I don’t think anyone can help him right now.”

  He rolled over with a groan and peeked one eye open. “Why are you two here in the dark?”

  Etta, as if noticing the early hour for the first time, gave Helena a questioning look. “I know why I’m awake. But what are you doing?”

  Helena shrugged, nerves fluttering in her stomach. “Couldn’t sleep either.”

  Etta didn’t look as if she believed her. She scanned Helena’s outfit, taking note of the visible knife at her waist. “You’re leaving.”

  Edmund groaned. “She isn’t leaving, Etta. Where would she go?”

  Helena clasped and unclasped her hands, but the queen only studied her. “How do you plan to get there?”

  Silence hung between them for a long moment. Edmund glanced between the women, eyes wide, before sitting up. He grabbed his head. “Remind me never to drink again.” He closed his eyes.

  Finally, Helena relented. “There’s a ship leaving at sunrise.”

  “The mercenary ship.” Etta nodded.

  “How…?”

  Etta waved away the question. Helena guessed she truly knew everything that happened in her kingdom.

  “You can’t stop me.” She crossed her arms.

  Etta sighed. “I know. You have to do this. I’ve been in your shoes before.”

  Edmund snapped his eyes open. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  “You need not understand, Edmund.” Helena put a hand o
n his bare shoulder and squeezed once before walking past them.

  Etta’s voice stopped her at the door. “I’m not going to you do the disservice and assume you don’t have a plan. You’re a smart girl, Helena. Remember what I said though. Make sure this is about more than revenge.”

  “It is.” It was about family. She stepped into the pre-dawn darkness, letting the beginnings of light guide her way. Sleep still hung over the quiet village as she made her way through the streets and turned into an alleyway.

  Footsteps sounded behind her and she turned but saw no one. Was someone following her?

  She tugged in the edges of her cloak and removed the knife from her belt. As she reached the docks, she breathed out a sigh of relief. One small ship sat amid commotion on its decks as sailors readied it to set out. Men and women loaded crates across a ramp.

  A sense of familiarity hit her as she took in the Madran vessel. High Cherrywood walls circled a wide deck, dipping and rising in an intricately carve design. Whoever owned the ship had wealth. She could tell that just by looking. At the bow, a golden statue of a serpent hung out over the water, protecting the seafarers from anything lurking below.

  She walked closer, her heart pounding in her throat.

  Dawn light stretched out over the water and she focused on it for a moment of hesitation before turning her gaze on the sailors who’d paused their work to stare at the approaching girl.

  Three large men stood on deck. One set down the crate he was carrying, his thick muscles stretching. The other two continued to wrap ropes, clearing the deck of all debris. Tattoos stretched down each of their necks in the same way Will had worn them. Thick black scrawl that gave them a darker appearance. She didn’t know what the symbols meant, only what it signaled. These men were mercenaries.

  The man closest to the rail jumped over, landing with a heavy thud on the dock. Helena’s limbs froze in place as he approached. “And who might you be?”

  She swallowed thickly, unable to form a single word. How many times had her father warned her of mercenaries? They weren’t allowed in the city and for good reason. His voice rang in her mind. “They’re dangerous, Helena. They do not obey their king.”

  She worked her throat, trying to breathe as he stopped only feet in front of her. Now that he was near, she could see he was younger than he’d appeared, probably even younger than herself. Wavy chocolate hair framed a boyish face that didn’t fit a man of his size.

  He grinned as if taking pleasure in making her squirm. “You can speak. I don’t bite.” He leaned in. “Much.”

  “Leave her alone, Ez.”

  Helena’s closed her eyes briefly. She knew that voice. Forgetting the boy in front of her, she sighed. “You followed me.”

  Edmund stepped up beside her. “Of course I did.”

  Helena wanted to be mad, but instead, she was just so relieved Edmund was there.

  He turned to the mercenary whose grin had widened. “Since when do you transport more than just goods, Ezio?”

  Ezio’s eyes widened. “You’re the one uncle Will sent?” He smacked his own forehead. “Of course you are.”

  Uncle?

  Edmund seemed to sense her confusion. “Len, this is Ezio. His mother captains this ship.”

  Len… that was a signal. No real name? She nodded, understanding his meaning. He didn’t trust them enough to reveal her identity.

  A woman appeared on deck, hands on her hips. “Ezio. There’s work to do.”

  He shot Helena a wink before running back to the ship.

  Edmund raised a hand in greeting.

  “Edmund.” She leaped from the ship and walked forward. “Are you delivering our passenger?”

  Helena studied the woman, seeing the resemblance to Will in the confident set of her shoulders, the tilt of her head. Not her looks though. He’d been larger, looming. This woman had a slight build and delicate features. From the way she walked, Helena guessed she was anything but delicate.

  Edmund leaned close. “This is Damara,” he whispered. “Be careful around her.”

  She still didn’t understand why Edmund was there or how he knew these people, but she trusted him.

  “Damara.” Edmund met her gaze, hardness entering his eyes. “When the queen told me Len had left, I knew you were behind it.”

  Damara raised one arched brow. “I’m not behind anything, boyo. My brother came pleading for her passage. He knows I will give aid to anyone trying to escape Bela.”

  Escape Bela? Who’d ever want to do that?

  Edmund’s jaw clenched. “Queen Persinette allows you to move your trade through Bela despite my advice to turn you away. The least you can do is respect her.”

  Damara turned to Helena, ignoring Edmund’s words. “Do you wish me to get you out of this kingdom or not?”

  Despite Edmund’s tension beside her, Helena couldn’t deny that was what she wanted. Even if this woman couldn’t be trusted, she was the only way back to Madra.

  Slowly, Helena nodded.

  “Speak, girl!”

  “Yes.” She sucked in a breath. “I need passage to Madra.”

  Damara clapped her hands together, making Helena jump. “Good. Will already paid me, a gift from his mistress he said. I knew there was a reason he refused to return to Madra.”

  She was wrong. Helena had seen it. It wasn’t money keeping Will with Amalie. It was loyalty.

  Edmund gripped Helena’s arm, preventing her from moving forward. “I’m coming as well.” He released Helena and strode past Damara. “Consider my payment your continued ability to enter Bela.” He didn’t turn back. “Len, come.”

  She ran after him, not wanting to spend another moment in the harsh woman’s presence. “You can’t be serious, Edmund.” Fear overcame the relief she’d felt that he was there.

  He didn’t respond.

  “You can’t come with me.”

  He stopped before boarding the ship as she grabbed his arm, holding him back.

  “Edmund…”

  He turned so suddenly she took a step back.

  “Why, Len? Why can’t I come?”

  Her voice dropped as if she didn’t want to hear her own words. “He’ll kill you.”

  A strangled sound escaped Edmund’s throat, but he held back a sob. “Does it matter anymore?” One last flash of pain flickered across his face.

  Ezio held out a hand to help her across the wooden walkway. The ship bobbed in the waves crashing against the docks.

  Edmund spoke to no one, and Helena didn’t know what else she could say to convince him to stay behind. She’d never recover if something happened to him. But at the same time, his presence made her feel as if maybe this mission wasn’t as stupid as she’d thought.

  Oars dipped into the water in syncopated rhythm as the ship began its journey. Colors streaked across the horizon, welcoming a new day, but in Helena’s world, everything remained dark.

  Chapter Seventeen

  He was alone. Dell reached an arm out, feeling for the warm comfort he’d had through most of the night. Images from only hours ago rolled through his mind. Helena had given him everything in one night. He’d never been more sure of anything in his life. She loved him. Her scarred, broken heart hadn’t frozen him out completely.

  Maybe there was happiness to be found among the heartache after all. But where was she? For the first time, they didn’t have some journey to start out on or some mission to accomplish.

  Why wasn’t she here?

  Dell rubbed his tired eyes, blocking out the light streaming through the window. Did last night mean Helena was finally telling him she was giving up her vendetta? That she knew there was still a future for her? Quinn would be okay. He could stay by his twin’s side as long as Helena let him.

  No one had to risk their lives.

  He didn’t have to lose her.

  He rolled over, groaning as his muscles ached from days in the saddle. He sat up, pushing the blanket from his lap and swinging his legs over the
edge of the bed. Food. He needed food. As if in agreement, his stomach growled. Maybe that was where Helena had gone. Alex usually cooked breakfast. It was his thing. Etta said he’d only learned to cook once he lived in Bela without people to do it for them. She’d refused to hire servants, so he did it and fell in love.

  And he was good at it.

  Dell’s mouth watered as he pulled on a fresh shirt and trousers, not bothering with shoes. The weather turned colder each day as they inched toward winter, but Etta’s home was never cold.

  He reached for the carving he always carried, never leaving without his current work in progress. But it was gone.

  Maybe Kassander took the small sword replica. Even as he thought it, he knew Kass wouldn’t have even come in here.

  Only one person had entered this room besides him.

  Panic coursed through him as he ran to the living space. Alex and Etta were awake and talking in murmured voices in the kitchen.

  No one else was there.

  “Where’s Helena?” Dell’s eyes searched every corner of the room before he sprinted out the front door to the stables. Vérité greeted him with a snort. Alex’s horse only lifted its head.

  Landon lay passed out in the loft above.

  No Helena.

  He turned to search the yard and found Etta standing on the front porch with her arms crossed in front of her.

  Her lips drew down in sympathy. She knew something.

  Dell crossed the yard, stopping in front of her. His chest heaved with a single word. “Why?”

  Not where. He had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer to that.

  Not how. That wasn’t important at the moment.

  He should have known. On some level, he did. She’d never give up. But… “Why did she leave me behind?”

  His shoulders sagged. He’d have gone. Without question. He didn’t care what the risks were. He wouldn’t have left her side. And she’d known that.

  “Dell.” Etta rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.

  In that moment, he understood how their family worked. How Etta had so many people who would follow her to their deaths. She took care of them. Not in a motherly fashion, that wasn’t her. But when they fell apart—as they all seemed to do frequently—she could hold them up.