Page 94 of The Promised Prince
Trev could imagine people rolling their eyes at his pain.
“Yes, he’s right.” He gestured to the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”
The crowd parted, letting the royal couple through to the center of the ballroom. Trev nodded at all the admiring faces as he took Seran in his arms. They were the perfect couple—the ideal future for Albion.
They swirled around the floor in coordinated grace until his eye caught on something he couldn’t look away from.Renna.
One of his officers held her close as they swayed to the music, his face nuzzling into her bare neck. Trev stumbled a bit, stepping on Seran’s toes, making her squeal in pain. Their bodies awkwardly bumped into each other as they tried to get back to their graceful steps again. Everyone’s eyes were on them, and his face heated with embarrassment. Did everyone in the room know he had been tripped up by Renna?
The song ended, prompting him to part from Seran. “Sorry. I’m usually better at this.”
Seran smiled tersely but pulled him to her as another song started. “Let’s just do it better this time. Everyone’s watching.” Her smile widened as she looked at their audience. Trev spun them around, positioning her so that her back was to Renna, giving him the perfect angle to watch her. She was dancing with a new officer now, laughing and leaning her body into the young man’s, making him pull her closer.
Slow song after slow song played. Who were these musicians? They were all fired. Forever.
As Trev held Seran in his arms—Renna in the arms of everyone else—he realized with sickening clarity that none of the other men could ever possibly feel as much for her as he did.
Renna
The line of menwanting to dance was a bit overwhelming. Officer after officer grabbed Renna’s hand and kept her out on the dance floor. Her feet were sore, and she was so hungry, but King Carver was somewhere across the room, so she kept dancing, kept acting like she was having the time of her life, like a corrupt king couldn’t control her.
At the beginning of a new song, Mr. Tybolt grabbed her arm, his sweaty palms sticky against her skin. “I have been waiting for this moment all night.”
Instinctively she leaned away. “Where’s your lovely wife tonight?”
He licked his perpetually chapped lips. “She’s not here.”
Where was all the luck in the world?
Tybolt wrapped his arm around her possessively, turning her to him. She was trapped.
“Tybolt.” A new voice broke in. “You’ll have to excuse me, but I’m going to steal Miss Renna from you.” Renna’s eyes went wide in surprise.
“Officer Doman.” Tybolt coughed nervously, obviously not wanting to let go of his turn. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until we’re done.”
“I’m done with waiting,” Joniss said, pulling Renna free from Tybolt’s grip. He wore a dark purple suit, and his brown hair was slicked back away from his face. “My apologies, sir.”
Tybolt looked stunned, but what could he do? Joniss Doman was intimidating in the most charming, charismatic way.
“I’m surprised you even remember my name,” Renna said sarcastically as they started to dance. “It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”
“That was clearly a mistake on my part.” He scanned her body with his eyes.
Renna had wanted attention tonight. She wouldn’t have worn the dress if she hadn’t wanted to be noticed, but she hadn’t thought about how it would make her feel to have guy after guy drooling over her. Or drooling over her body, at least.Thatwasn’t the kind of attention she wanted. She wanted to prove she had a mind of her own. She wanted to challenge the rules of society.
Joniss led her to the center of the dance floor. The music had already begun playing. Renna dared a glance at Trev, and, as if on cue, Joniss put his arm around her waist.
Trev was definitely paying attention.
“So tell me, why the dress? Obviously, I’m a fan, but it does seem a bit...unlike you.”
Renna’s words were short. “How would you know what is or isn’tlikeme?”
Joniss laughed. “You’re flashing attitude tonight. I like it.” He pulled her closer.
Renna rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was another arrogant man in her life.
“Is he watching?” Joniss asked, nodding his head toward Trev.
