by M. Lynn
He’d never accepted Chloe Rhodipus as his mother. Helena wondered if it was out of loyalty to his long-dead mother or something else.
Quinn put a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Come, brother. We should go see father about our duties preparing for the ball.” He gave the queen an apologetic smile and led his twin away.
The queen’s shoulders only dropped for a moment before she pasted on a cheery smile and turned to her other two children.
“Come. You two must prepare. We’re to greet a ship from Gaule.”
Helena froze. “I am to go?” They had never allowed her into the city even wearing her masks. She longed to see the ships that fed the kingdom’s economy but had yet to make it that far in her disguise.
Her mother put a hand on her back to lead her forward. “The people must see you before the ball and this is the perfect chance.”
“Who is coming on that ship?”
She smiled slyly. “Your brother’s betrothed.”
Helena nearly choked. How could the Gaulean princess be arriving and the palace not be abuzz? Where were the preparations? Feasts?
As if reading her mind, the queen explained. “The princess made certain demands of us. No public spectacles. We may greet her at the ship but then must whisk her to the privacy of the palace. She’s only here for a short time and we don’t want word getting out. She made the crossing because she demanded to meet your brother before agreeing to marry him.”
“Will she be staying until the ball?”
“Yes, dear. That’s the plan. We’re announcing the betrothal at your ball.”
They followed their mother back into the palace where Sophia was waiting with a special kind of torture for Helena. A corseted dress.
Helena sighed as her maid led her into her room and helped her dress. As Sophia pulled the corset ties tight, Helena reminded herself if it meant venturing into the city, she’d wear anything.
That thought broke away as she tied her mask to her face. This wouldn’t be like before. This trip wasn’t about freedom. It was the opposite. She was showing the people that their royal family adhered to the ancient laws.
A carriage waited at the bottom of the palace steps. Her mother and Kassander were already seated inside. She ran a hand over the soft white coat of one of the horses before climbing inside and shutting the door. A host of guards on horseback formed up around them and they thundered through the gates and onto the road that led to the docks.
The guards cleared the street in front of them so the carriage could pass easily between the buildings that were packed together. A crowd formed to watch them go by.
“I wish I could go on a ship,” Kassander said.
The queen smiled at her son. “Maybe one day we’ll go see the rolling hills of Bela.”
Helena stayed quiet as she glanced out the window. They all knew they’d never be allowed to venture outside Madra. Maybe Kassander would as a member of the clergy. But the king always said the world wasn’t a safe place. The queen and princess would stay within the Madran borders.
“Mother,” Helena began. “Why was I allowed to come today?”
Sadness flickered across the queen’s face. “We are welcoming a foreign princess. You will help her adjust to Madra.” She paused, but Helena could tell she wasn’t finished. “I know the mask hasn’t been easy for you and I wish I could take away all the suffering it has caused. But we must obey your father and he must follow tradition.”
The corner of her mouth curved up. “But I won’t tell him about your trips into the city.”
Helena’s jaw dropped open. “How—” Her eyes found Kassander, and she laughed. “Of course.”
Her mother’s face grew serious. “But Len, you must not go again. It’s dangerous to disobey the priesthood. I don’t worry about you without your guards because you can take care of yourself. I worry about what will happen if others find out you’ve revealed your face.”
“No one even knows it’s me.”
“And if they found out? Promise me you’re finished and I’ll keep it to myself.”
Helena sighed, fingering the knife she kept in a hidden pocket of her dress. “Fine.”
The carriage came to a stop and Helena waited for someone to open the door. As soon as it swung wide, she sucked in a breath.
The docks.
Ships of every size bobbed in the sparkling water. Colorful sails billowed out as the stiff breeze caught them. Sailors climbed ropes, scrubbed decks, and shouted to each other.
A hand appeared to help her out, and she took it, coming face to face with Edmund.
“Princess.” He grinned. “What a lovely day for a jaunt.”
“Ambassador.” The queen took his hand next. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”
“No, your Majesty.” He turned back to the carriage and lifted Kassander out. “The ship has just arrived.”
“Let’s not waste any time now. I’d like to meet this delightful princess who will be a new daughter.”
Edmund bit his lip to contain a laugh. As the queen and their guards walked across the wooden planks of the docks, Helena grabbed Edmund’s arm. “What’s so funny?”
“I’ve just never heard anyone call Camille delightful before.”
“Is she that bad?”
“She used to be.”
They came to an abrupt halt near a long wooden pier jutting out toward a ship that rose with the timing of the waves. The ship collided with the peer and a loud crack rent the air. Helena jumped.
Edmund glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, an amused grin on his face.
The crowds behind them buzzed with energy but none were allowed near the royals or this mysterious new visitor. Three priests stood to the back of the crowd watching. Always watching.
The guards moved aside to let two dockworkers run toward the ship as someone threw ropes over the sides with shouts of greeting.
Blonde hair gleamed in the sun as one of the men heaved on the ropes, and Helena recognized him instantly.
Dell.
He moved with confidence in everything he did. It was fascinating. Why was she so interested in him?
Dell flicked hair out of his bronzed face and flashed a smile at the other man with him. The second man narrowed his eyes and barked out a harsh “Get moving.”
As he ran the length of the ship, Dell’s lean muscles flexed. Beneath her mask, Helena was sure her cheeks were aflame.
She’d seen those muscles. All of them.
So, he was a sailor? This boy who fought in the middle of the street? Who bathed in the river? He was a riddle, and she wanted nothing more than to figure him out.
Helena had never had a friend before—not that Dell could count as that. But he’d risked himself trying to save her from Stev. He didn’t know there was no need to defend her.
Sure, she’d been surrounded by her brothers her entire life. And she loved them. But there was a distinct difference between the ones always trying to keep you safe and the ones who gave you a reason to take risks.
Which one was Dell?
He lifted a long plank of wood and used it to connect the ship to the dock for those aboard to step across. Once the board was stable, he glanced over his shoulder as if seeing the queen, prince, and princess for the first time.
Saying something to the other man that made him scowl, Dell walked their way.
Helena held her breath, reminding herself there was no way he could recognize her in a corseted dress and mask.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed to the queen.
Helena’s mother shook off her surprise at his approach. None of the other sailors dared accompany him.
“Hello, young man.” The queen gestured for him to straighten. “Thank you for your assistance today.”
Dell shrugged. “It’s my job.”
A few people nearby gasped at his words and their informality. This was why the royal family rarely associated with the common people. That was what Stev would have said. Com
moners didn’t understand how to behave with grace.
But Helena wasn’t Stev. A laugh escaped her lips, and she slapped a hand over her mouth, shocked at herself.
Dell flashed her his dimples before reaching out to ruffle Kassander’s hair, turning on his heel without being dismissed, and returning to the side of the ship.
Edmund put a hand over his face. “That boy…”
Helena’s mother opened her mouth to say something and then shut it again. She shook her head. “I don’t know, Ambassador. I rather liked him.”
“Me too, mother.” Helena refused to meet Edmund’s eyes, but she could feel him watching her.
Finally, a horn sounded. A moment later, guards in the forest green uniforms of Gaule marched from the ship.
Next came the maid. There was only one of them, which shocked Helena. When Stev traveled, he took an entire host of servants with him as if he couldn’t wipe his own bum without assistance.
As soon as Princess Camille appeared, Helena knew it was her. She carried herself as someone who’d been born into an important position.
Dark hair curled around a heart-shaped face. Keen eyes scanned the waiting party. Her slender frame was almost hidden among her much larger guards. She was younger than Helena expected. This was the widowed princess?
The guards parted and Kassander gaped beside Helena. Helena herself was quicker to hide any reaction. Camille limped forward, one foot dragging. She leaned her weight on a four-pronged cane before moving it forward. It clacked against the wood beneath it.
“Mother,” Helena whispered. “Did you know?”
“We know everything, Helena.”
Edmund rushed forward and pushed through the guards to help Camille. She didn’t smile when she saw him, but Helena would have sworn her shoulders sagged in relief. He wrapped his arms around her for a moment before releasing her and extending an arm for her to take.
They made their way over slowly. Camille dipped into a curtsy and Helena couldn’t take her eyes from the cane.
But the queen was better at concealing her curiosities than her daughter. “Princess, we are honored to have you with us.”
“Gaule is honored by this alliance.”
Nothing about herself, only her kingdom.
Kassander recovered from his initial shock. He bowed to Camille. “My lady.”
Amusement lit in Edmund’s eyes, but it turned to concern as he took in Camille’s blank expression.
“Can we leave now?” she asked.
“Yes, dear.” The queen signaled one of the guards.
Edmund rode in the carriage with them back to the palace, not wanting to let Camille out of his sight as they left the city outside the gates.
Chapter Six
Helena had dreamed of having a sister. What would it be like? Would she be more friend than protector?
But she lived her life surrounded by boys who excluded her. They eventually turned into men who protected her at the expense of her even having a chance at a life beyond the palace.
None of her brothers had married yet. They were all of age except for Kassander, but in Madra, royal marriages had to occur in the order of the succession line.
They’d searched for someone worthy of Stev. The heir to the throne had a duty to make a strong alliance with his marriage.
What did the king fear more than anything? The kingdoms full of magic. That made Gaule a natural ally. Even a widowed princess with a twisted foot would do if it gave Madra a stronger foothold across the sea and an ally who feared magic as much as them.
Helena stared at Camille across the sitting room. The Gaulean princess sipped her tea, acting as if no one else was even in the room. Stev sat nearby, his fists clenching in agitation.
Camille had been there for two days and barely spoken to anyone but Edmund or her own guards.
Stev stood abruptly and stormed from the room. Camille let out an audible breath.
Helena couldn’t take it anymore. “I know nothing about you.”
Camille lifted her eyes. “What?”
“We have stories here in Madra about Gaule and Bela. Queen Persinette, King Alexandre, Queen Catrine, Prince Tyson, but not you. I’ve never heard of Princess Camille.”
She ran her hands through her hair before twisting it over one shoulder. “I…” She stopped.
“I didn’t mean you have to tell me.” Helena crossed her arms. “I don’t really care. All I’m saying is that you sit here in our home and act like Madra is so completely beneath you, and yet, you aren’t even mentioned by the minstrels when they talk of Bela and Gaule winning the war against Dracon. How important could you really be?”
Tears formed in Camille’s eyes and Helena instantly regretted her brash words.
“I’m sorry,” Camille whispered. “I just don’t know how…” She wiped her eyes. “I don’t know how to do this again.”
“Do what?”
“Marry a man I don’t know. My kingdom needs this alliance. My mother’s wish is to create a world where each kingdom is tied to the others to prevent the kind of war that happened before. I’m her tie to Madra.”
“You’re the kingdom’s tool.”
Camille nodded. “Again. This is the second time I’ve had to marry for the good of the kingdom.”
Helena stood and crossed the room before dropping onto the couch beside Camille. “I know how you feel. I get to choose my husband as long as he’s Madran… that’s the official law… but my father will be the real decision maker at the ball.”
“We hear stories in Gaule as well.” Camille’s eyes scanned the mask covering Helena’s face. “Of the hidden princess. Must you always shield your face? That’s a terrible burden.”
She had no idea, Helena thought. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep. Not a burden, a duty.
Before Helena could utter another word, Edmund appeared in the doorway. “Princesses.”
“Edmund.” Helena raised a brow at his hesitancy.
“Stev has asked me to take Camille into the city. He’d like her to see more of Madra than this palace.”
More than anyone had ever wanted for her, Helena thought. Edmund’s eyes bore into her. How could he always read her thoughts?
“Just go,” she snapped.
When they were gone, she pulled her feet up under her and untied the laces of her mask. It fell to the ground as if it held all the weight of the world.
Maybe not the world, but every bit of weight she carried with her rested in the curves of that fabric.
Chapter Seven
“Be loyal to me, Dell,” Dell grumbled as he jammed the shovel into another pile of horse crap. “I’ll give you something to fight for.” He dumped the manure in the bucket and went for another. “Load of bollocks.”
The horse in the neighboring stall kicked at the wall separating them and Dell shook his head. “Relax, Ian.” He’d named the horse after his eldest brother. Maybe it was the long, ugly face or the arrogant disposition that reminded him of his brother.
Each of his family members had a namesake in the barn. Reed was the pig in the end stall that failed to thrive on his own.
And Dell’s stepmother? Well, she was the single cow they owned.
These weren’t their actual names, of course, but it gave Dell some small pleasure.
He leaned his shovel against the wall, his mind going to Edmund once more. He’d told him the king would be overthrown, and then he left.
Dell wasn’t even sure which side he was on.
Because the only thing he was sure of, was that Edmund had his loyalty before even asking for it. He wasn’t even Madran, but he looked out for Dell.
Dell had few people who cared if he survived each night. He had to hold on to the ones who were there.
But, what the hell? Edmund couldn’t just tell him Madra would change forever and not give him any details.
Did Dell want the king overthrown? He knew what most of the common people thought. King Rhodipus’ wars drained the
kingdom of everything. Man-power… food. Most had family members off with the army or the mercenaries. Sometimes it was the only way to keep a family fed.
Unless you were the bastard son of a dead merchant who left his family with wealth and power. Then the way to keep fed was cleaning decks and shoveling dung.
Dell wiped his sweaty face on his tunic as he watched Ian continue to kick the stall door.
“You aren’t getting out, you bastard.” He reached into a bag hanging on the stall and procured an apple. Ian snapped at it, and Dell pulled it back. “Someone’s in a bad mood. Now Ian, do I have to teach you some manners?”
He grinned at the thought of his brother having manners of any kind. At least there was still hope for horse-Ian.
“Get your brains scrambled in another fight, lad?” Edmund chuckled from the doorway.
Dell tossed the apple to Ian. The horse caught it in his mouth, and it crunched as he ate it whole.
Dell turned. “Why Edmund, what a nice surprise. I didn’t know you remembered little old me.”
Edmund crossed his arms and didn’t respond.
Dell scanned the woman holding the ambassador’s arm. She wore a hood, concealing her face in shadow, but as she stepped forward, Edmund moved in sync with her as if holding her up, and it gave away her identity.
“Princess.” Dell swept his arm out in an elaborate bow. “Who did you piss off at the palace to get stuck with Edmund for company?”
A muffled laugh came out of the small woman. “I like this boy, Edmund. Can I take him back to Gaule with me?”
“Sorry, Princess. His stepmother might miss the free labor.” Edmund threw the words out as if they were a joke, but Dell winced. It was true. His family wouldn’t allow him to leave because he served them, not because they cared for him.
Princess Camille pushed back her hood, revealing long raven hair and piercing blue eyes. “Your mother owns this manor?” She threw a look at the great house behind her, its columned splendor rising above the squalor of the city at its gates. The Tenyson’s lived outside the merchant sector. Lord Tenyson’s grandfather hadn’t trusted the scheming of merchant families desperate to climb to the top of the spiral.