Page 33 of The Promised Prince
Drake ducked out of the way, calmly adding between breaths, “What do you think we are doing?”
“Fight me! That’s an order!”
Drake lunged for his waist, his arms wrapping around Trev’s body as they both toppled to the ground. Drake grunted as he used the weight of his body to pin Trev and lowered his voice so only the two could hear. “I know you’re frustrated about Renna, but I’m not going to fight you.”
Trev pushed Drake off of him roughly and sat up, breathing hard. How did everything with Renna get so messed up? He shook his head, trying to figure it out.
Seeing that Trev appeared less likely to hit him now, Drake looked up at the crowd of onlooking soldiers. “As you were, gentlemen. Back to your drills.”
The men dispersed, but not without casting a few curious looks over their shoulders.
Trev combed his hand through his hair. “She’s not the princess.”
Drake nodded but didn’t say anything.
“I don’t know what to do now.”
“Yes, you do. You’re going to forget about Renna and give all your attention to Princess Seran.”
Trev looked away. He didn’t like that solution.
“You’re going to do this because you love Albion and because you’re going to be the next king.”
He sighed. Drake knew him well. Since he was a young boy, he had been motivated to become the next king of Albion. There was so much good he could do for his kingdom, for his people. He would be a good ruler—at least better than his father.
But up until a few days ago, he had always pictured himself ruling alone. His betrothed princess from New Hope had seemed almost imaginary. But then Renna came into his life, and he started to imagine a different future, one where his queen would rule by his side.
Partners.
To find out now that he had imagined the wrong girl was a blow.
“I gave in to her, Drake,” he said quietly, avoiding his friend’s eyes. “I let myself...feelfor her. I thought she was going to be my...” Trev didn’t allow himself to finish. What was the point? He had been wrong.
“You’re going to make the best of it, Trev. Besides,” Drake rested a hand on his shoulder and gave a light shove, “there are worse fates than yours. Princess Seran is...stunning. A ten out of ten.”
He was right. Seranwasgorgeous, polished, and confident. But none of that seemed to matter right now. She wasn’t Renna.
Where was Renna now? What was she doing? Was she as upset about their situation as he was?
Heneededto forget about Renna and move forward with Seran. But no matter how hard he tried, his head couldn’t convince his heart to let her go.
12
Renna
Renna awoke to her maid’s gentle voice. “M’lady?”
Her tears had eventually given way to a deep nap, but as consciousness returned, the ache inside her throbbed to life again. Sleep hadn’t smothered it away for good.
She had been careless with her heart. It wouldn’t happen again.
“I’m sorry to wake you,” Nora tried again, “but it’s time to get you ready for the welcome feast.”
A feast? Renna cracked an eye open. Now that was something she could get excited about. She hadn’t had a decent meal since she’d left Wellenbreck Farm, and her stomach ached for the finer food dinner would offer.
She rolled over, sitting up at the edge of her bed. She watched as Nora shuffled around the room. Her tiny little body rushed back and forth, gathering from Renna’s bags the things she needed to do Renna’s hair and makeup.
“You must be tired, miss! All that traveling really takes it out of you.”
