Page 30 of The Promised Prince
“Relax!” whispered Drake. “The whole city can hear you breathing.”
Trev tried to slow his heavy breaths.
The guard opened the transporter door, extending his arm to help its occupants down the narrow steps. The first to emerge was undoubtedly the queen. Trev could tell even from where he stood that she was beautiful, but in a different way than Renna. She had brown hair that was swept up on the top of her head, and she wore a crimson dress made out of the finest silk. Her movements were poised and regal as she stepped down from the transporter and moved to the side to make way for the princess behind her.
The guard reached into the transporter to help the princess out next. Each movement seemed slow and drawn out. Sweat gathered on Trev’s forehead. Never in his life had he been this nervous to see a woman, especially one he had already met. But Renna was going to be his princess,his queen. How could he remain calm when his entire world was about to change?
But instead of seeing Renna’s familiar golden waves of hair, another girl stepped out of the transporter—a girl with black hair and creamy skin in a richly adorned purple dress. The mysterious woman raised her chin proudly and took her place to the right of the queen, indicating her role as princess.
Thiswasn’t the princess he expected. Where was Renna?
Then he saw her. The guard helped her out of the transporter last, and she moved to stand on her mother’s left. She wore her hair up in loose braids around her head with a few stray pieces framing her face. She looked more timid than the others, her shoulders slightly hunched as though the hundreds of eyes on her weighed them down. But then she took a breath and threw her shoulders back as if a wave of confidence had washed over her. She stood in her pink dress—elegant in her own way—though not like the queen and the other girl.
Renna seemed distracted as she glanced down the row of soldiers lining the path. She turned her head to the side like she was looking for something.
Or someone.
Trev’s heart sank. She was looking forhim.
None of it made sense. He turned to his father’s chief advisor. “Gaines, who is the girl on the queen’s left?” His voice sounded harsh.
Gaines stepped forward, ready with information. “Yes, that is the daughter of the queen. Renna, I believe.”
“So she’s Seran’s sister? Also a princess?”
Please.
“No, sire. Miss Renna is the product of the queen’s first marriage. She has no birthright within the royal family.”
Gaines’s words hurt like a punch to the gut.
Drake put a steadying hand on Trev’s shoulder as the three women started to walk toward them.
Renna
Renna sensedhundreds of eyes on the three of them as they began their procession toward the palace. There were so many people watching them, but everyone was really looking at Seran. This was a big moment for her.
She eyed Seran from the side, marveling at how calm and collected she seemed. She clearly knew her own importance, moving forward with poise and confidence.
Then Renna glanced straight ahead. A colorful group of people waited at the end of the path. Albion royalty, she assumed, mixed with advisors and political figures. She wanted to get a glimpse of Seran’s prince, but it was difficult to make out who was who from this distance.
The soldiers on each side of her were much easier to see. Was Trev among them? He said that she wouldn’t be able to miss him. She could picture him watching her now, ready to smirk at her surprise when she finally spotted him. As each step brought them closer to the courtyard, Renna discreetly searched the soldiers’ faces for Trev’s laughing blue eyes and dark curls. Instead, unfamiliar eyes stared back with serious, unblinking expressions. As far as she could see, Trev was not there.
Renna’s mother slowed her pace and then stopped several feet from the king. The king stood before them in a navy suit with a pin of the blue and white Albion flag on his lapel. His features seemed hard and menacing as he waited for introductions.
The herald’s voice boomed behind the king from the palace steps. “Introducing Her Royal Majesty, Queen Mariele Haslett of New Hope.” The queen bowed gracefully.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Seran Alyssa Haslett of New Hope.”
Renna glanced in Seran’s direction, a bit in awe as she curtseyed smoothly. How was she so good at that?
Renna hated this next part—the part where she was introduced like an afterthought.
“And Miss Renna Degray.”
She did her best to curtsey the way Seran had, but she doubted it looked even close to the same.
King Carver stepped forward and took her mother’s hand. “Queen Mariele, welcome to Albion. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Carver Trevenna, King of Albion. I hope your travels weren’t too tiresome.”
