Page 61 of The Promised Prince
“Ezra.” Joniss always purposefully left out theprincepart.
“What do you want?” Trev said, unable to hide his dislike for the man.
“We missed you at the tournament events today.”
“I had meetings.”
“That’s a shame.” Joniss faked sadness. “I spent the day with Renna. She’s such a lovely girl, don’t you think?”
Trev’s face turned to stone despite his best efforts.
“How are things going with Seran?” Joniss asked.
“Excellent.” Trev responded too quickly for it to be believable. “What’s not to like about the princess?”
“She’s a little too uptight for my taste, but as far as arranged marriages go, I guess it’s an okay choice for you. I myself like my women a little wilder. Renna, for example.” Joniss smirked. “She’s exactly my type.”
Great. Joniss suspected something between him and Renna.
“Who knows, maybe we’ll end up being brothers-in-law.” Joniss’s expression was smug.
“I doubt Miss Degray would agree to marry you.”
“Perhaps not.” Joniss laughed. “But at least she has a choice in who she marries, as do I.”
22
Trev
The next morning, Trev leaned against the arena fence, watching crowds of people file into the stands. Conversation and laughter filled the yard while spectators waited for the final day of the Tournament of Games to begin.
Trev looked up and his heart stumbled. Renna walked toward him, her arms swinging casually at her sides. Her hair was spun around the top of her head in a bun, and she wore a pale pink day dress that complimented her golden complexion. Was there any color that didn’t look good on her?
He glanced at Drake and Joniss across the arena from him, talking with a group of soldiers. They both watched Trev as if somehow they knew how much his heart raced because of her.
Trev wanted nothing more than to smile back at her—to comment on her wispy gracefulness, but Drake’s words still hung in the back of his mind.You are terrible at hiding your feelings for her.
“Good morning, Prince Ezra,” Renna said as she stopped in front of him.
His eyes stayed focused on the crowd of people in front of him. If he didn’t look at Renna, maybe his heart rate would go back to normal. And maybe he could hide—correction—get overhis feelings for her.
“I wanted to thank you for the chocolates you left the other night, but I couldn’t find you yesterday.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and he let his eyes meet hers. “You don’t have to thank me. You won them fair enough.”
“Yes, I guess I did.” She rested her hands on the fence post that lined the arena and leaned in closer. Trev could smell the citrus scent of her hair, but he tried to ignore it. “I also received a note with the chocolates. Something very flirtatious from a man who promised not to flirt.”
From the corner of his eye, he could see Joniss walking toward them. “I don’t believe the note was from me.”
“Right.” The side of her mouth raised into a slight smile. “How foolish of me.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Joniss obnoxiously slung his arm around Renna’s shoulder.
“Not at all.” Renna shifted under his weight. “I was just telling Prince Ezra that I can’t believe the tournament is almost over. He missed some exciting competitions yesterday. Don’t you think, Officer Doman?”
“Yes, Ezra missed out on a lot yesterday,” Joniss said, pulling Renna into him.
Trev narrowed his gaze. The man was such a snake. He resisted the urge to punch him in the gut right then and there and watch him topple over to the ground. He could almost imagine how good it would feel.
