Page 43 of The Promised Prince
Renna leaned her forehead into Dara, and Trev noticed the smile on her face. He had made her happy. Things were definitely looking up from yesterday.
“I feel bad taking Seran’s horse,” Renna said, still staring into Dara’s eyes.
“Don’t. We have plenty more.” Trev admired her as she stroked the horse’s thick mane. It was just another part of her that was attractive—the way she could put anyone or anything at ease.
“She’s great, you know.”
“Dara?”
“No. Seran,” she said, finally looking at him.
Trev swallowed. “Yeah, she seems wonderful.”
“Did you guys talk much at dinner?” After she asked the question, her face colored a bit like she remembered the dinner fiasco all over again.
Trev pretended not to notice. “I didn’t have a lot of time alone with her to talk.”
“Well then I hope you get a chance today.” Renna nodded, her smile tight.
He respected the way she was trying to turn his attention to Seran, but at the same time, it hurt. Somehow her efforts at being a good sister made him feel rejected.
“So do you ride as well as you dance?” he joked, wanting to get back into their usual banter.
Renna straightened her back. “Idodance well, but I am even better at riding.”
“Right,” he teased. Without even thinking, he took a stray lock of her golden hair and tucked it behind her ear. His hand brushed down her ear and then to the side of her neck unnecessarily. Her breath caught beneath his touch.
Behind them, someone cleared their throat, startling them both. They turned, and Trev recognized the guard who had found them at Wellenbreck standing in the stable doorway. It was like an alarm went off in this guy every time Trev touched Renna. Which was good, since he shouldn’t be touching her at all.
“Miss Renna, your mother requests an audience with you.”
“Miss Degray is joining the entourage for a tour of the countryside this morning,” Trev said to the guard with perfect timing.
The guard gave a stiff nod. “Of course, Your Highness. I will let her majesty know to expect her daughter later this afternoon.”
“Thank you, Mangum,” Renna said.
Trev raised his eyebrows in interest. Sothiswas Mangum—the guy Renna had pretended to drown for. This made Trev like her even more. Unfortunately.
“Princess Seran is waiting just outside the stable for you, Your Highness,” Mangum said with a stern, pointed look at them both. Then, with a quick bow, Mangum disappeared out the barn door.
Renna took a step back from Trev, her expression guarded again.
“I guess I’ll see you out there,” she said tonelessly. She pulled Dara’s reins and led her out the back, leaving Trev standing in the stable alone.
* * *
King Carver’s staffhad planned an entire week of activities to allow Trev and Princess Seran time to court, while also showcasing the country of Albion for the New Hope visitors. Today’s horseback tour was just one of these festivities. While New Hope’s and Albion’s chief advisors worked out the details of the marriage treaty, Trev would host a tournament of games, a festival, a picnic with school children, a visit to market day, and a ball in honor of the New Hope royalty.
Trev led his New Hope guests and a group of Albion’s most prominent men and women by horseback north of the ruler’s palace. He pointed out the tallest peak of the Albion mountains, places in Albana City, the acres of farmland under the direction of King Carver, and a few pre-Desolation ruins.
Princess Seran rode next to him, their pace slow enough to allow conversation. Her hair was slicked back into a high ponytail, and she wore a light purple riding outfit that made her pale skin glow.
“Do you like your role as the prince of Albion?” Seran asked as they rode along.
“There’s good and bad as I’m sure you know. I don’t know life any other way, so it’s hard to compare. What about you? Do you like being the princess of New Hope?”
“It comes with a lot of meetings and a rigorous education, but there is also a lot of ease and luxury, so I guess I can’t complain. However, I would have been perfectly happy out of the spotlight in dull and colorless dresses.”
