Page 139 of The Promised Prince
“He’s fine.” Trev looked at his friend. “He’ll see her back at the palace.”
Renna nodded, and everybody stepped in closer as if they all knew it was time. Her heart thumped against her chest, not because she was nervous, but because she was so happy. For the first time in her life, everything was just as she always hoped it could be. She looked at the faces of the people she loved most, each of them important to her in a different way. Each of them having shaped her into who she was at that moment.
The sun broke through the clouds, lighting her features, warming her face. Renna closed her eyes, and for one peaceful moment, her father was there with her, giving his blessing. Giving his love.
“Are you ready?” Trev’s hands squeezed hers.
She bobbed her head up and down and studied his striking blue eyes.
Trev was everything she had hoped she would find someday. Every dream that she had ever had about love was coming true because of him.
King Bryant stepped between them. “I am honored to marry you both, and I know Seran would be happy about it too.”
Renna was astonished at King Bryant’s kindness and support. Trev had shared with her that Bryant was the reason he finally felt okay about being with her. There was something beautiful about Bryant wanting them to be happy despite Seran’s death; hearing that Bryant thought Seran would be happy for them too was a big relief. In the last few months, Renna had thought about Seran and felt guilty. Guilty that she was marrying Trev. Guilty that she was alive, and Seran wasn’t. Trev felt it too. It was a sadness they both carried with them. But it many ways, it had brought them closer together because it was something only the two of them understood. There would always be a part of Renna’s heart that wondered about Seran, but in this moment, she felt peace.
Bryant was right. Seran was happy wherever she was.
Trev gave her a knowing look.
Such a big moment came with so many big emotions. Renna wrapped her fingers tighter around Trev’s as Bryant began the simple words to the ceremony. Her breathing picked up intensity, keeping pace with the swirling excitement in her chest. She wanted to cry. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to break out into a little dance or start singing a ridiculous song from the top of her lungs.
This was what happiness felt like.
* * *
The next morning,Trev and Renna lay in bed at the Trevenna family cabin, surrounded by the mountains of Albion. A fluffy gold comforter was draped over them, their bodies meshed together, curving into each other.
“I can’t believe you kicked your dad out of his home for an entire week.” Renna turned her cheek toward him as she spoke.
“Would you have preferred he stay here with us on our honeymoon?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Well, then, you’re welcome.” He pulled her closer, snuggling against her body.
“He’s just going to hate me even more.” Renna was a little scared of how her relationship with Carver would work out the rest of her life.
“I guess you have a lifetime to figure it out,” he mused.
“And what are you going to spend your lifetime figuring out while I’m doing that?”
Trev sighed. “I’ll probably spend a lifetime trying to figure out how to keep Albion safe from Tolsten.”
“Oh.”
Trev leaned his head up, noticing the disappointment in her voice. “What? You didn’t like that answer?”
Renna stumbled over her words. “No...I did. I just...thought you were going to say something cheesy and cute like,I’ll spend a lifetime trying to make you happy.”
“Ah, yes. Cheesy honeymoon talk,” he said, letting his head fall back onto his pillow.
“Cheesy honeymoon talk? Is that a thing?”
“It is now.” He switched to his baby voice. “My sweet tender muffin.”
Renna let out a harsh laugh. “On second thought, I don’t think I’m the type of girl that likes cheesy honeymoon talk.”
“Whatever you want.” He nuzzled his face into her neck. For a moment, the only sound was the rhythm of their breaths.
