Page 59 of The Promised Prince
Trev
Trev waited at the large circular table in the high ruler’s room for his weekly meeting to start. The meeting consisted of the king and the six high rulers from each province in Albion, and the commander of the army, Fenton Pryer. Trev and Drake attended whenever possible, preparing for their future roles if the upcoming election went according to plan.
Alba Folly and Levi Karda, the two longest-ruling high rulers, sat across the table from Trev, whispering. Their heads bent together like they were talking about something serious, but whatever it was, they clearly didn’t feel inclined to include Trev.
Trev studied the dark stain of the table in front of him. He thought about getting himself a cup of water, but the pitcher was on a side table across the room, closer to the two men. He didn’t want it to look like he was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Tell me it isn’t true,” Drake said in a hushed voice, lowering his body down in the seat next to Trev.
“I’m assuming you heard about the shooting competition between Renna and me,” Trev responded coolly.
“Yes!” Drake snarled. “And I can’t believe it.”
“Which part?” Trev asked. “The part where she beat me or—”
“All of it!” Drake eyed the two men across from them, whispering so only Trev could hear. “You’re supposed to spend time with Seran,your fiancée.Not her sister.” Drake rubbed his forehead in disgust. “It doesn’t make Renna look good either.”
Trev leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “I disagree. She looked very good.”
Renna had a way of looking good no matter what she was doing.
“But that’s exactly my point. You can’t have everyone see you alone with Renna. You’re terrible at hiding your feelings for her.”
Maxwell Doman entered, followed by the king and Fenton Pryer, forcing Drake to pause their conversation. “Never mind,” he hissed. “We’ll talk about this later.”
* * *
“Our men stillhaven’t located the missing girls from Axville, and my patience is growing thin. King Adler must be stopped!” King Carver barked, opening the meeting.
“With all due respect, sir, we are unsure if King Adler had any knowledge of the Axville attack,” Commander Pryer said.
“His hands are in everything!” his father yelled as he stood abruptly and paced back and forth. Everyone watched in silence as he picked up the pitcher of water and slammed it against the wall.
“Let’s strike back,” Levi Karda interjected. He was the high ruler over Axville and had an additional reason to be upset by the attack. “When word gets out all over Albion about what happened, the people will want justice for the taken daughters of Axville.”
“I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that,” the commander said. “During the election tour, Prince Ezra and Officer Vestry sent two men undercover to Tolsten to gather intel specifically on weapons. Those two men returned yesterday.”
Trev sat up. “Why wasn’t I told? This was my mission.”
His father waved him off. “You have more important things to worry about with the princess. Your men gave Fenton and me a full report.”
Trev exchanged an irritated look with Drake. He should have known his father would take over.
“Were they successful?” Drake pressed.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Commander Pryer gave the king a sharp look before continuing. “It’s exactly as we feared. Tolsten has been manufacturing sophisticated weapons. Our spies aren’t exactly sure what the weapons are designed to do. They appear to be some sort of air missile.”
“What is King Adler thinking? Did he really think all the other countries wouldn’t find out? Wouldn’t try to stop him? He’s directly violating the Essentials treaty,” Levi Karda said.
“I don’t think any other country could stop Adler at this point. His missiles give him the upper hand,” Niles Ticking added. He was a newer high ruler, only ten or so years older than Trev.
Maxwell Doman lowered his voice, adding, “Maybe it’s time we take more drastic measures.”
“What do you have in mind?” King Carver asked.
Maxwell looked at the other men around the table. “We should attack when they least expect. Like during the wedding.”
Trev laughed incredulously. “You can’t be serious. We haven’t even signed the marriage treaty yet, and you want to pull New Hope into an armed conflict on the wedding day? Usetheirmilitary without even bothering to ask for their consent?”
