Glass Princess

by M. Lynn

  “We have to get out of here.” Edmund glanced at Agathe, and the old woman smiled in understanding. “Catsja, get the powder.”

  The powder. Dell knew instantly what kind of powder it was. He’d seen kegs of it in his family’s cellar while trapped there.

  “Dell, Alex, Tyson.” Edmund looked to each of them. “You get Agathe out and far from here. We’ll hold them off.”

  Etta shot him a grin, tossing her sword between her hands. “It’s been too long since you and I have fought together, Edmund.”

  “Go!” Edmund ordered to the rest of them.

  Dell didn’t want to leave Edmund to the fight, but he couldn’t have Agathe in danger. And he knew he wouldn’t be the kind of help Etta would.

  Everyone did as they were told. Dell let the others out the back door, only looking behind him once as the sounds of the renewed fight filled the air.

  They ran down the back alley until they reached a crossroads and turned into a seedier part of town. Agathe seemed to know the way, so they followed her.

  Before they got too far, an explosion rent the air. Dell froze, glancing behind him. They were okay. They had to be.

  “Edmund and Etta know what they’re doing,” Alex said as if reading his mind.

  How did he have such faith in them? Dell wished he had that kind of confidence in anyone other than himself. He still felt the need to protect the people in his life rather than let them protect themselves.

  A thought struck him as they paused. “Kassander.” He froze in the doorway. “We sent Kassander with Landon.” They’d thought it was the safer option. Going to the stables had to be safer than meeting the rebels.

  Only it wasn’t. They’d given the young prince over to his brother.

  Once again, Dell failed Helena.

  His horror was mirrored on the faces around him.

  Agathe ushered them down another familiar road, not stopping until they reached the gates Dell never wanted to see again.

  “Agathe.” He froze, staring up at the ominous structure. “What are we doing here?”

  “This is another rebel base.” She pushed past him and pounded her fist against the gates.

  How could the home he’d grown up in have become a base for the rebels when Ian and Reed stood by the king’s side? Was it further proof of Reed’s disloyalty to Cole?

  The gates swung open slowly, and a weathered face greeted them, showing no surprise at the site of Dell.

  He blew out a breath. “Stepmother.”

  She ignored him, instead settling her eyes on Agathe. “I heard the explosion from here. I’m glad you found a use for the powder I supplied. Come in. Let’s get you out of sight.”

  Agathe smiled. “Thank you, dear.” She led them in, leaving the gates open slightly for the others.

  Tyson leaned in to Dell as he eyed the grand Tenyson house. “You grew up here?”

  “No.” Dell’s eyes fell on the familiar building out back. “I lived in the stables.” The young prince looked like he wanted to ask more questions, but Dell sped up to prevent the conversation. His mind whirled with the possibility of his stepmother fighting against the king. A king her sons supported.

  The last time Dell had been there, his brothers trapped him in the cellar. Now, he walked through a front entrance they had never allowed him to use. The once grand house, seemed sparser than before.

  Agathe, as if reading the questions in his mind, spoke in a low tone. “Your stepmother has been forced to sell many things to get by with the port closing. She released all of her staff and now lives here alone since both your brothers live in the palace. Ian hasn’t been home since the rebellion. Reed comes often on rebel business.”

  “How did she become a rebel?” he asked. The woman he’d known only ever looked out for herself. She wouldn’t care what a king did to the kingdom.

  “With the spiral gone, she has lost her place in society. Everyone has something to fight for in this.”

  Dell nodded. It made sense. She was still looking out for herself.

  His step-mother led them to the stables he’d spent most of his life in.

  “I can’t have rebels in the main house,” she said. “I’m sorry. I hope you understand.”

  Dell hadn’t ever heard her apologize for anything.

  Agathe put a hand on her arm. “Of course. When the others arrive, please show them to us. We won’t bring you any trouble. I promise. We’ll be gone in the morning.”

  She hesitated for a moment, her eyes finding Dell as if she had more to say. Instead, she only nodded and walked out.

  Dell inhaled, his heart pounding against his ribs as the inadequate feeling of his youth came back to him. No matter what she said, she’d always had that effect on him.

  A horse neighed, and he breathed out a sigh as he caught sight of horse-Ian. The familiar sight of the beast in his stall calmed him. He was no longer the boy with no family who mucked stalls and let that woman push him around.

  No, now he had more purpose. A family. She could no longer control his life or his mind. He let Agathe have the bunk he’d spent most nights in and sat down with his back against horse-Ian’s stall.

  Wiping at his face, his fingers came away red.

  He felt for a cut but found none. The blood wasn’t his.

  Silence choked the room for what seemed like an eternity until Edmund burst through the door. His shoulders sagged in relief. “You’re here.”

  Alex pushed past him to wrap Etta in his arms.

  “Why did you come here?” Edmund scanned the sparse room.

  “It’s a rebel safe house.” Catsja elbowed him out of the way. “I told you, Edmund, the movement has grown since you left.”

  “But Lady Tenyson?”

  Dell studied Agathe. She’d led them there. How involved in the rebellion was she? They’d just destroyed everything the woman had. Her shop was nothing but rubble. Her livelihood gone.

  And yet, there was life in her eyes like he’d never seen before.

  Dell met Edmund’s gaze. “What’s next?”

  Catsja sat with an exaggerated grunt. “That’s why I came to find you all in the shop. I have news.” A smile slid across her face. “It seems like the princess’ return is what we needed. Our sources inside the palace indicate the king will make his first public appearance. He wants to show Madra that the Rhodipus line is intact and supportive of his reign. His advisors seem to think it’s the only way to quell the rebel movement.”

  Dell took in each word, turning it over and considering it. He needed to see Len, so he asked the one question that would bring her closer to him.

  “When?”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  A warm hand pressed against Helena’s forehead as someone coaxed her back to the waking world. Soft blankets tangled around her legs and she tried to roll onto her side, confusion clouding her mind. Where was she?

  “Dell?” she murmured.

  “Sister.”

  The voice had her jolting awake and flinching away from his touch. Her eyes snapped open to find Cole’s face staring down at her, a concerned frown tilting his lips.

  Pain pulsed in her temples and radiated down her torso as images flooded her mind. Cole’s fist. A foot to the stomach.

  A tear leaked from the corner of her eye. She’d been so sure he wouldn’t hurt her. So sure the brother she’d known was still in there somewhere.

  Because she saw him. As he sat on the edge of her bed, his hand hovering over her hair, he looked like the man she’d known.

  “Don’t touch me.” She pulled the blanket up to her chin, wincing at the pain the movement caused.

  Cole’s brow creased. “You know I wanted nothing to happen to you, Lenny. I love you.”

  “You don’t love me, Cole. Maybe you never did.” She knew she needed to be careful with him. He’d proven to be unpredictable, volatile. Had he really changed so much? Or had he hidden this part of himself from them all? Even his twin.

  The though
t of Quinn and his loyalty to Cole burned within her. At least Kass was safe and…

  “Estevan,” she whispered. Had that been a dream or did he truly live?

  “Helena.” Cole sighed. “My people need to see my strength. If I do not instill fear in them, what do I have?”

  “Father didn’t rule by fear.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could have them back. Lies. That’s all they were.

  Cole moved to stroke her hair again and then thought better of it and curled his fingers into a fist. “You aren’t that naïve. All father had was fear. His armies spread across the six kingdoms under the guise of keeping peace. His priests arrested and imprisoned people. Even you, Sister, had to wear a mask your entire life for fear of what they’d do to you.”

  Helena touched the bridge of her nose. Someone had removed the mask. A thought came to her. “You forced me to hide behind a mask as well.”

  True sadness crossed his face. “It was how my council would instantly recognize you as the princess. The people do not know Helena Rhodipus, only the image father allowed them to have. I’m sorry I have to use that image as well.”

  A harsh laugh pushed past her lips. “You aren’t sorry for anything.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, sister. I’m sorry for everything.”

  He stood, smoothing down the jacket of his uniform.

  “But if you had to do it over again, you wouldn’t change anything.”

  He didn’t turn to face her as he answered. “No. I wouldn’t.”

  His footsteps echoed across the high ceilings long after he’d left. Helena buried her face in the pillow, letting it dampen with her tears until the door opened yet again.

  She lifted her head, trying to ignore the pounding in her skull. Camille stood on the threshold.

  “I think I’m quite done speaking with traitors today,” Helena ground out, letting her head fall back. She needed to pull herself from the bed and find out where she was. She still had a job to do—find a way to take down her brother before the rebels stormed the palace and got a lot of other people killed.

  Someone else pushed past Camille, pulled her inside the room, and shut the door.

  “Quinn.” Helena’s eyes widened. What was he doing in the palace when he was supposed to be missing?

  He rushed to the bed and dropped to his knees. “Len.” His fingertips whispered over her bruised cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

  She finally pushed herself up to sit and let the blanket drop. Dried blood speckled the side of her shirt.

  Quinn uttered a curse and reached for the hem to push it up, revealing a small gash in her abdomen. Purple bruising spiraled out from the wound. Crusted blood sealed it.

  Across her stomach, yellow and purple discoloration marked each place they had beaten her.

  Quinn closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

  Anger surged into Helena and she pushed his hands away. “Leave me alone, Quinn. You don’t get to act like you care.”

  Camille crossed the room to stand at the window. Sunlight lit her pale features as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell her, Quinn.”

  “Tell me what?” Helena flicked her eyes from Quinn to Camille.

  “I spent the night as Edmund’s prisoner, but he released me.”

  Her jaw fell open. “Is he okay?”

  He covered her hand with his. “He’s fine. He’s still with the rebels.” His mouth twisted. “I just wish he hadn’t brought a foreign kingdom into this.”

  “Foreign kingdom?” This time it was Camille’s turn to be surprised. She turned from the window, letting her arms fall to her sides. “Bela is here?”

  Helena couldn’t ignore the fact she didn’t suspect it was Gaule. She knew well her mother wouldn’t send help.

  Alarm rang in Helena’s mind. “Etta? She’s here?” That meant… Dell. She shook her head, praying Quinn would tell her it wasn’t true, but also hoping he’d confirm her fears. Dell had come for her even after she’d left him behind.

  Quinn scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, along with the king and prince of Bela.”

  A smile warmed Camille’s face. “They came.”

  Helena clenched her hands around a fistful of blanket. “Well, run along then. You two should go tell Cole. It’s what you want to do.”

  Camille’s smile turned into a sneer. “What I want to do is put a sword straight through his heart.”

  Quinn glanced at the door as if they’d be overheard. “I’m sorry, Len. That I ever made you doubt me. That I ever doubted myself. Cole is… he used to be everything to me. Before we came to the palace, we were the only family either of us had. That changed for me. It didn’t for him. I saw the signs over the years. His hatred of father and your mother. His friendship with Ian Tenyson. Ian always wanted more power than a merchant could have. He didn’t want to reach the top of the spiral. He wanted to be the spiral, to be everything Madra needed, the only merchant supplying the kingdom with goods. An empire worthy of a king.”

  “So…” She glanced from Quinn to Camille. “You’re not on Cole’s side in this?”

  When they both shook their heads, a wave of relief washed over her. She had more allies than she’d thought.

  “I can’t stay much longer.” Quinn stood. “Cole has people watching me. I’m only supposed to be delivering Camille to you.” He bent to kiss her forehead. “We’ll get through this, Len.”

  She swallowed back a sob as he left.

  Camille walked to the bed. “Come on, Helena. They sent me to help you wash and dress for the ceremony tonight.”

  “Ceremony?”

  Camille nodded. “Cole has invited the city-dwellers to watch him speak. It’s to show them that the Rhodipus family is intact and loyal to their king. He hopes it will quell the rebel movement especially after last night.”

  “Last night?”

  “Explosions rang across the city. Many of them. I only saw the dust clouds from my window, but they shrouded the entire city.

  Edmund? She’d worried about him every second since she arrived at the palace. And now it wasn’t only him. Dell, Etta, Alex, Tyson. All of them were in danger.

  As if reading her thoughts, Camille spoke in a reverent tone. “I can’t believe my brothers are here.”

  Helena let her legs hang over the side of the bed before setting her feet on the floor. “Why should it surprise you that they came for you?”

  Camille pinned her with a stare. “You don’t know our history. I’m not sure why they’re here, but it isn’t for me.”

  For the first time, Helena saw a loneliness in the Gaulean princess that matched her own.

  Camille gripped her arm and helped her to her feet. Helena stumbled, but the other girl kept her upright, wedging her shoulder under Helena’s.

  With the help of her cane, Camille aided her into the attached washroom where a tub of steaming water sat waiting.

  Camille helped Helena perch on the edge of the copper tub. “Cole won’t allow any servants near you. He trusts very few people.”

  “Why does he trust you?”

  Camille frowned. “That’s not important.”

  “It is to me.”

  A sigh pushed past her lips. “I’ll just say Quinn has convinced him and leave it at that. Come on, Helena. We don’t have all day.”

  It took every bit of strength Helena possessed to remove her clothing without crying out in pain. She stepped into the water and sank below the surface, letting out a whimper as if it simultaneously soothed her aching body and stung where the wound opened her skin.

  Unable to lift her arms enough to scrub, Camille aided her in removing a days’ worth of travel grime.

  “Camille,” she whispered as the girl scrubbed soap through Helena’s dark hair.

  “What?”

  “I don’t understand so many things. Tell me what has happened since I left.”

  Camille’s hands stilled. “That’s a heavy task, Princess. Are you sure you want the tr
uth?”

  Helena stared at her hands. If she was going to save the people she loved, she may have to do something she’d never thought possible. Remove one of her brothers from this world. She nodded. “I need to know what Cole has done.” She needed to know he was truly as evil as she suspected.

  Camille lifted a cup above Helena’s head. “Tilt your head back.” She poured the water to rinse Helena’s hair. “The first thing he did as king was have the royal residence repaired. Your fire did a lot of damage. He claimed it would need to be ready when his family returned to live there. Most of us thought it was the ramblings of an insane man. We didn’t know Estevan lived. Not at first. He was kept in a far wing of the palace, and Cole had someone questioning him every day.”

  “Questioning him about what?”

  “Secrets of the kingdom. People who were loyal to him and the old king. There were even rumors of hidden tunnels Cole wanted information on.”

  Hidden tunnels? She sucked in a breath, goosebumps racing along her arms. Other than her, Estevan and Kassander were the only living people who knew about the tunnels. And Edmund, she supposed. He’d helped her get back to them in what seemed like another life.

  Camille continued. “Once the royal residence was finished, Cole shocked the entire palace by revealing Estevan and putting him in a room there. Then Quinn returned. Reed Tenyson brought him to the palace in chains. Something Cole still hasn’t forgiven Reed for.”

  Reed. Helena clenched her jaw. He’d been the source of so many of their problems. Yet… the rebels said he could be trusted.

  “After that, Cole’s mind slipped further into darkness, blaming his own people for the fact you were dead and wouldn’t be returning. He had his guards turn over the city in search of Kassander even though he knew he must have left. Ships were no longer allowed in or out of the port in fear that he’d lose another sibling. Everything he’s done has been to keep a family around him.”

  Helena shivered, and Camille helped her stand, wrapping a towel around her body.

  Cole had always clung to both Helena and Quinn as if they’d abandon him one day. As if they’d die like his mother had. He’d never had affection for Stev, but it seemed that had changed.