Glass Princess

by M. Lynn

  “There’s a door ahead,” Edmund whispered.

  As they neared, Edmund’s magic cloaked them in silence. No one on the other side of the door would know what awaited them.

  They stopped moving and Dell’s pulse throbbed in his temples. Waiting had never been his strength. In a fight, he was an attacker. Quickness and agility had won him many boxing matches. In his experience, hesitancy allowed the opponent to strike.

  And without the numbers, the rebels’ advantage lay in making the first move.

  Edmund ran his hands over the door.

  “Did the note say how to open it?” Alex asked.

  Edmund shook his head. “Helena never mentioned it either. But…” His hand caught on something, and a piece of the door broke free revealing a hidden latch.

  Dell exhaled in relief.

  Edmund turned to face the rebels awaiting his orders. “We go in silently and take stock of our location within the palace. Then we move out to our positions and wait for the demonstration to begin in order to strike.”

  Dell nodded along with the rest. By the end of this evening, he’d have Helena back.

  Edmund pushed the door open, leading them into what looked like an unused bedroom. Furniture covered in white linen sat in the center of the room. Near the wall, a crimson pattern stretched across the carpet as if no one had bothered to clean it up. What had happened in this room?

  Edmund shut the door after the last person came through, and if Dell hadn’t known it was just there, he’d never have seen it. A painting now took the place of the tunnel entrance.

  Edmund scanned the wall. “How did I not know this was here?”

  Dell shrugged. “Being that the entire plan rests on the king who grew up here not knowing about it, I wouldn’t feel too slighted.” He eyed each of the rebels as they took up positions along the walls. Scraping steel rang out as blades slid free of their entrapments. Dell pulled his own and positioned himself near the door opposite Alex.

  Edmund put his ear to the door, and a rush of wind hit them as he pulled every sound toward that room. Concentration strained his face.

  His eyes widened after a moment, and he pulled back. “Into the tunnel. Now!”

  No one moved before the door burst inward, rocketing off its hinges as a heavy battering ram crashed into it.

  Splinters tore through the air, and Dell shielded his head and neck. When he righted himself again, he came face to face with a man he’d known in his gut he couldn’t trust.

  One the rebels had been taken by.

  Reed.

  He grinned. “Hello, brother.”

  Dell gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles went white. One swing of his sword and he’d take his brother’s life. One small movement and he could make up for the years of torment. He glanced behind Reed, expecting to see Ian at his side as always.

  As if reading his mind, Reed chuckled. “Our oldest brother was touching something that didn’t belong to him, so I’m afraid he’s no longer with us.”

  Ian was dead? The words swirled through Dell’s mind but he was unable to comprehend it. Ian couldn’t be dead. He was behind everything. The devil moving his puppet of a king.

  But Ian had never been the smart one. Reed had seemed incapable of evil, and that was possibly the most genius thing of all.

  “You,” Dell breathed. “It was all you.”

  Reed motioned to his men out in the hall, and uniform clad soldiers swarmed into the room.

  Edmund waved a hand through the air as if to tell them their fight was over. It was time to give up. But rebels didn’t give up.

  Reed reached for Dell’s sword, and Dell knew to fight him would be instant death. He’d be no good to Helena from the afterlife.

  A satisfied smirk crossed Reed’s lips. “We outnumber you, Rebels.” He spat the term. “You are traitors to the crown of Madra, and you’re under arrest.”

  The guards disarmed every rebel in the room before pushing them into the hall. Edmund stayed quiet.

  “I should have expected another betrayal from you, Reed.” Dell still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that this was the brother capable of so much evil. How had he not seen it coming? From Ian, yes. Never Reed.

  But that was the brilliance of Reed’s plan, wasn’t it? His brother didn’t answer him with anything more than a satisfied grin. He thought he’d beaten Dell. What he didn’t understand, was Dell would never stop fighting as long as Helena was in that palace.

  He met Edmund’s eye knowing at least one other person would do what had to be done. He wasn’t alone in loving a Rhodipus sibling.

  Alex walked alongside him, unrecognized by Reed. What would he do if he knew he’d just arrested the king of Bela? Or that the mythical Persinette Basile awaited them?

  A smile curved Dell’s lips. Reed didn’t know the troubles he invited upon himself. Dell only had to stay alive long enough to see retribution come.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The sickening sound of a switch hitting flesh rose above the din of the crowd who’d been coerced into watching the king’s demonstration.

  This was how Cole wanted to solidify his power. Fear. Brutality.

  The crowd had murmured in confusion when the royal family marched out side by side. Helena and Estevan were supposed to be dead.

  That confusion had quickly turned to horror as their king’s plan became clear.

  Cole wanted to bring Estevan to his knees.

  Helena flinched but refused to look away as a new stripe of red marked Stev’s bare back. Two guards had torn his shirt from his body.

  Helena glanced over her shoulder, watching for someone to bring Kassander forth. Reed said he’d bring him once the boy woke, but Helena was beginning to wonder if Cole knew of their youngest brother’s presence. He’d made no mention of it. Had Ian meant to hold Kassander captive to gain leverage against Cole?

  Not for the first time, Helena sent silent thanks to Reed. She knew what would have happened if he hadn’t prepared. She hadn’t wanted to trust the man, but he’d proven to have her best interests at heart.

  Where were the rebels? Reed had sent word about the tunnels and Helena expected them to storm the courtyard from inside the palace.

  A platform sat at the base of the steps leading to the doors of the castle, erected for this very purpose. The courtyard spanning the distance from the palace to the gates was vast and packed with so many people they could barely move.

  Each time a horrified gasp rose from the crowd, Cole turned heated eyes on them, and they quieted. This is what he wanted. Horror. Pain. It’s what he thought Estevan deserved.

  It was better than the deaths he’d given their parents.

  Stev’s face strained with his attempts to keep from crying out. He wouldn’t give Cole that satisfaction.

  A shiver wracked Helena’s body, and she hugged her arms across herself.

  A presence appeared beside her, and she looked sideways at Reed.

  “I’m going to stop this.” Reed stepped forward.

  Helena gripped his arm. “No.” She fixed her eyes on Estevan’s face. If Cole didn’t complete what he thought was necessary, he’d only do it again. This would never end.

  “Helena, this isn’t right. Cole is out of control. We can no longer wait for the rebels to arrive.”

  She lifted a hand and felt for the solid weight of the knife she’d slid into her bodice. Even as she watched the lash streak through the air before connecting, she didn’t know if she could kill her brother. It had been so easy to think of vengeance from the safety of Bela. Now, the thought of what she must do cracked something inside her.

  She shook her head, tears coming to her eyes.

  “Lenny,” a soft voice said behind her. Quinn wore a matching look of desperation in his eyes. He shifted his gaze to Reed, distrust in the dark irises, before turning back to her.

  “Quinn.” A sob escaped her throat, but he didn’t move to touch her. Not in front of the rest of the guard
. He had to remain cold. Loyal to his twin.

  “You shouldn’t watch.”

  “I have to.” She sniffed. “For Stev. For me. I need to see everything Cole does. He has to be the monster, or else…”

  “I know.” He leaned in, dropping his voice so only she could hear. “There has been a mass arrest inside the palace.”

  She sucked in a breath. Dell. Edmund. Their entire plan rested on the rebels being there. But how were they found?

  Before she could ask Quinn, he’d returned to stand at attention with the rest of the guard. Camille watched nearby, a guard on either side of her. Her face showed no emotion.

  The rebels had come in through the tunnels. They should have been able to get into the palace unseen and spread out, melting among the staff. Edmund knew the palace as well as anyone.

  Their plan was supposed to be unstoppable.

  How had it been stopped?

  Her heart sank as realization seeped into her. They’d failed. She would never get herself or her siblings out of the palace now. Unless… She fingered the cold steel of the blade and fixed her eyes on Cole.

  How much time would she have? Her gaze flicked to the guards. She only had one chance. If she missed… but Helena never missed.

  A blonde head appeared among the crowd as if the face of the Belaen queen called to Helena. Etta? What was she doing there?

  Beside her, Tyson stood, taking in every movement. He was ready.

  They’d come all the way from Bela to help her, but what if it had all been for nothing? As soon as the knife left her hand, she’d be surrounded by guards who wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

  A loud thwack rang out. Blood poured down Estevan’s back, staining the ground at his feet. The ropes around his wrists held him in place. Still, he didn’t scream.

  Cole drew his arm back, a grim expression on his face. He looked as if his actions hurt him as much as they hurt Stev.

  The thought sent a bolt of anger through Helena.

  When Stev’s first scream rent the air, it tore through Helena, driving her to her knees as tears streamed down her face.

  Reed disappeared as soon as they lined the rebels up against the wall, their wrists tied. An entire unit of guardsmen watched them, weapons at the ready.

  Dell glared toward the tip of a sword aimed at his face. “Do you really feel the need to be that close, mate? Don’t think you could catch us with just a bit more space?” He smirked. “I get it, you’re slow.”

  In answer, the guard shifted onto one foot and slammed the other into Dell’s chest.

  Dell let out a grunt of pain. “That’s going to bruise.”

  “Dell,” Edmund hissed. “Shut your mouth for a second. I’m trying to concentrate.” His brow creased with the effort.

  Alex met Dell’s confused gaze and mouthed the word ‘magic’. For someone who hadn’t grown up around the power, it didn’t come to mind as a possibility, but now Dell understood. Just as he’d done when they exited the tunnel, Edmund was using air movement to pull sound toward them.

  His eyes widened, and he shook his head.

  “Edmund.” Alex nudged him. “What is it? What did you hear?”

  He swallowed thickly. “Estevan… the demonstration. Cole is showing the people who controls the city by weakening Stev. He’s…” He shook his head again, unable to continue.

  “Do you hear Reed?” Dell leaned forward, careful to avoid the guard’s blade.

  “He’s reached the courtyard.”

  “Oi,” one of the guards shouted. He must have been in charge. “No talking, you dirty rebel bastards.”

  Edmund’s face reddened until he looked as if he’d explode. Alex tried to put a hand on his arm to calm him, but his tied wrists prevented the gesture.

  “Edmund,” Dell whispered. “You okay?”

  Dell had almost forgotten about Orlo’s presence until he spoke. “Don’t be an idiot, Tenyson. None of us are okay. We’re prisoners because your brother…” He didn’t finish his sentence as a guard kicked him.

  Orlo grabbed the guard’s foot midair and yanked with his brute strength. The guard collapsed forward and tried to bring his sword up to fend off Orlo, but the big man knocked it away and pummeled the guard before any of the others could stop him.

  The captain shouted to his men to move, but as they lunged for Orlo, a blast of power erupted from Edmund, sending them slamming into the opposite wall. A tunnel of air kept them frozen in place.

  “Get his sword, Orlo,” Dell yelled.

  Orlo held the blade between his knees and sawed through the rope binding his wrists before moving on to help Dell.

  Edmund’s power held firm as they released the other rebels. Dell cut through the magic man’s ropes.

  “Go,” Edmund ordered, jerking his head toward the corridor.

  “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I have to keep them here until my magic fails.” He flicked his eyes to Dell. “Stev and Helena need you.”

  Dell didn’t hesitate any longer. He took off running down the hall, passing stunned servants. None of them moved to stop the thundering rebels. Dell never thought it would be a comfort to have Orlo beside him, but he trusted the man’s fighting ability.

  “Edmund will be fine.” Alex was speaking more to himself than anyone else.

  Orlo grunted. Dell kept his mind focused on what was in front of him. He had to trust Edmund to take care of himself.

  “Let me go,” a cry echoed from the hall leading toward the open entryway. “Please.”

  Dell’s heart clenched as he turned on his heel, searching frantically for the source. The last time he’d seen Kassander, he’d left with Landon, a man they’d trusted.

  Landon appeared, dragging the boy behind him. They reached the door before Dell could force his feet to move. They stepped into the columned courtyard.

  Dell went after them. The steps leading down to the gates were littered with people. A scream ripped through the air, and Dell tore through the crowd, his sword still drawn. There, at the base of the steps was Estevan Rhodipus. The man who’d once intimidated Dell with a single look. That day in Mari’s shop seemed so far away now as blood poured across the prince’s back.

  A line of guards muttered among themselves, pointing to where Dell stood with Alex and Orlo at his back. Four of them broke off, led by Quinn Rhodipus himself.

  Dell’s gaze bounced around the scene as his pulse picked up. He twisted sweaty palms around the hilt of his sword. No one would have ever bet on him in a sword fight.

  “I hope you know how to use that thing,” he said to Alex.

  Alex grimaced. “We have to get out of here.”

  Dell shook his head, his stare returning to Estevan. Would Edmund survive losing him again?

  Commotion nearby caught his eye as a masked girl fell to her knees. A mix of emotions swirled in Dell’s chest. Elation at seeing her alive. Relief she seemed unharmed. Anguish at the sight she was forced to witness.

  He wanted to go to her. To shield her from Cole’s cruelty. But she’d proven not to need a shield, only a knife in her hands. He saw the glint of metal slide from her sleeve and shifted his eyes to Cole.

  Alex pulled him back from the scene, jerking his head toward the coming guards. Quinn said he was on their side, but his face was that of the king’s, and it told him to run.

  Before he got a chance, a gasp rose from the crowd and the blood drained from Dell’s face.

  What had Helena done?

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  When asked about that day, Helena wouldn’t remember the thoughts flipping through her mind. She wouldn’t recall what caused her to change direction or how the responding chaos ensued.

  All she knew was one brother had become a spectacle to keep the people in line and another wielded the whip, leeching strength from the strongest person she knew one lash at a time.

  Estevan’s single cry echoed in the recesses of her mind, breaking every part of her it touched. But that was the
thing about glass. It was more dangerous broken than whole. Sharper. Deadlier.

  Movement caught her eye from where she still knelt on the steps. Kassander appeared, his eyes finding hers before settling on Estevan. But he didn’t cry.

  He made no sound as Landon pushed him forward. His expression didn’t change as Reed yanked his arm to pull him to his side.

  Fire burned in Helena. She bounced her gaze from Kassander, held prisoner, to Quinn as he detached from his guard. They landed on Cole, standing over Estevan, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he panted from the exertion. Stev lay still.

  The fury she’d felt since the day Cole betrayed the family had lain like a line of explosive power, waiting for someone to set it ablaze. It exploded through her, uncontained, out of control.

  She slid her knife free, knowing she’d have only one chance to hit her target. The man who’d been behind all of her pain.

  He thought he’d shatter a princess, break a kingdom, and avoid the raining shards.

  He’d been wrong.

  Helena closed her eyes for a moment. Inhale. Exhale. She calmed her heart rate, finding a place of peace in which to concentrate.

  Her mother taught her never to expect accuracy while emotions drove her actions.

  And they had killed her mother because men wanted to rise above their stations. To grasp even the edges of power they didn’t understand and didn’t deserve.

  Power held in cruelty was only weakness in disguise.

  As her eyes slid open, she lifted her face to the warm sun, letting the sound of Cole’s whip fade from her mind.

  With one final breath, she rose to her feet with the agility of the greatest boxers of Madra, twisting on her heel and snapping her wrist as her fingers released the blade. She didn’t watch as it sailed end over end. Closing her eyes once again, she didn’t open them until a scream wound through the ranks of guards as they scrambled to catch a fallen superior.

  Her knife had found its intended target.

  She turned, settling her eyes on her brother who’d frozen, lash in mid-air.