Page 22 of The Promised Prince
“That should be interesting,” Renna muttered under her breath.
“There you are, child,” Nellie said as Renna walked into the kitchen, closing the door softly behind her. “You missed lunch, but I saved some sandwiches for you. I’ll put them in a sack, and you can eat them on the way.”
“You’re always so kind to me, Nellie.”
“I’ll put some carrots in there too. Something healthy for you.”
Trev doesn’t like carrots.
She smiled just thinking about him, his boyish charm, and the way he joked with her. Humor was always Renna’s weakness when it came to men, so Trev and his witty personality were enough to keep her highest hopes about love alive.
Preetis came through the door behind her, carrying a bag of vegetables. He looked older than Renna remembered, with wrinkles curling around his eyes and lips. His hair was gone on the top of his head, and his tan skin looked tougher than before. But he lit up with youthful excitement when he saw Renna.
“There she is!” he exclaimed, kissing Renna on the forehead. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you this visit.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I haven’t been around much.”
“Well, let’s get a good look at you.” He pulled Renna to her feet, holding out her arms. “You’re all grown up and looking just like your dad.”
“Nah, I’m better looking than he was.”
Preetis chuckled. “It’s a good thing he isn’t here to hear you say that.”
The sound of bustling skirts interrupted them, announcing the arrival of Cypress, the queen’s maid. She strode into the room with an air of emergency, like always. Her brown hair was cut short, and her eyebrows arched high into the creases of her forehead, adding to her intensity.
“Renna, the queen requests an audience with you.” She spoke with an edge of anxiousness to her voice. When Renna didn’t immediately jump to her command, she snapped, “Now!”
Renna knew better than to keep Cypress waiting, let alone her mother. She gave Preetis and Nellie a frustrated look and followed Cypress up the stairs to her mother’s room.
Mariele was seated on a large chair near the window. The room was bare and gloomy compared to the queen’s enormous chamber at the Government Center. Two soldiers were carrying the queen’s trunks from the room as they entered. She waved her hand impatiently toward the guards and Cypress. “Leave us.” Cypress gave a knowing nod and closed the door behind her as everybody left.
Renna waited in silence for her mother to make the first move. Was she going to start her lecture with her sneaking out this morning, or would she lead with her being found alone with a man? Renna’s bet was on the man.
“Haven’t I warned you about promiscuous behavior?” her mother said, worry evident in her voice.
“Yes, you have, and that’s why I continue to avoid it.”
“Mangum said he found you in a questionable situation with a man.” Mariele rose and paced the room, her smooth movements accentuating her slender body. “Is he lying?”
“We were just standing there. I don’t think that is considered questionable.”
“Mangum said you were kissing.”
“I wish we’d been kissing,” Renna said under her breath. She looked at her mother. “I’m sorry, but there’s really nothing you need to worry about. It was all very innocent.”
“I’m always worried.”
That was true.
“There is a lot expected of you—of us. If something were to happen—”
“Nothing happened.” And when Renna said nothing, she meant nothing. She was pretty sure the awkward neck kiss hadn’t counted as a real kiss.
“Did anyone else see you?”
“No.”
“Let’s hope not. For your reputation and for mine.”
