Page 36 of The Promised Prince
“Well, you’re exactly what I expected of Prince Ezra.” Her voice was harsh. “Stuck-up and arrogant.”
He shook his head, and defensively shot back, “You seemed to enjoy my arrogance the other day. You practically begged me to kiss you.”
Renna took a step closer, her fiery eyes burning into him. “Your memory fails you, Your Highness.Youwanted to kiss me.”
Hehadwanted to kiss her. His eyes dropped to her lips for a moment.
What was with this complete lack of self-control when it came to Renna? It was just one more thing to feel embarrassed about. Hehadn’tknown she was the princess the first time they’d met. He shouldn’t have flirted with her or returned to Wellenbreck the next day, hoping to see her again. He was getting married...and soon.
“When I did all that, I thought you were the princess,” he argued even though it was a lie.
“Well, I’m not.”
“Thank goodness for that.” His words came out harsher than he meant. Why was he behaving so terribly? He had come to apologize. He wanted her to forgive him.
Renna closed the distance between them. “Yes. Thank goodness for that.”
Heat rose in his chest. Renna was here, in Albion, inches from him, looking more irresistible than ever. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair and get lost in her lips. It was weird how much her anger made him want to kiss her even more. He hadn’t kissed a woman in years, so why was that the only thing he could think about now?
They stood there, staring at each other, nothing between them but the rise and fall of their chests.
A hint of desire flickered across her face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
“I wouldn’t want someone like you anyway.” She pushed past him, bumping his arm with her shoulder on her way out. The door slammed behind him. Trev paced back and forth before slapping his hand against the closed door.
He hadn’t wanted someone like her, either.
Until now.
* * *
The great hallbustled with servants and guests ready for the feast celebrating the arrival of the New Hope royalty. Men from Albion’s ruling class wore tailored suits with colorful ties, while the women on their arms showed off fancy gowns and glittering jewelry. Servants walked through the crowd with trays of drinks, keeping guests happy as they waited. Everyone stood in the center of the room around the bottom of the grand staircase, talking about the princess and the upcoming wedding to Prince Ezra. Across from the stairs, tables were arranged in a semicircle around the royals’ head table. Tall, arched windows lined the walls beyond the tables, but the darkened night sky prevented anyone from seeing the view out of them.
Trev waited on the dais at the head of the room, brooding. He should be mingling with the guests like his father was, but he didn’t feel like it. It wasn’t like he hadn’t doneanything. He had met Seran’s friends and passed them off to some soldiers who were lucky enough to have the night off.
Drake hopped up on the platform next to Trev. “Prince Ezra! Don’t you look dashing tonight in your suit. You almost look as good as me.”
“Let’s get this night over with,” Trev growled.
“That’s no way to act at your wife’s welcome party.”
“She’s not my wife.” He was starting to pace now, but paused to add, “Not yet, at least.”
“And she won’t ever be if you don’t cheer up. You’re very ugly when you’re angry.”
The horns sounded, signaling the entrance of the New Hope royalty. Queen Mariele stood in the center of the balcony overlooking the ballroom in a turquoise gown that bunched together on the sides. Princess Seran and Renna stood on either side of her.
The crowd hushed, and all eyes turned to them as the herald’s voice reached the far corners of the hall. “Her Royal Majesty, Queen Mariele of New Hope. Her Royal Highness, Seran Alyssa Haslett, Princess of New Hope. And Miss Renna Degray.” All three women made their way down the middle of the staircase, perfectly centered between the two marble banisters.
Seran wore a shimmering gold dress that trailed to the floor, and her long black hair was pulled back halfway. She looked stunning, but Trev stopped pacing when he saw Renna. He could see her indignant feelings written all over her face, from her blazing eyes to the way she tightened her lips.
“She’s not making this easy,” Trev muttered to himself. There was an unspoken rule now. She was off-limits. Without turning his head, Trev leaned over to Drake and whispered harshly, “She’s the most infuriating woman I have ever met! Accusing me of lying! And to think, she doesn’t want somebody like me.” Trev let out a rough laugh. “Well, I don’t want someone like her!”
Drake looked confused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you need to escort the princess to dinner.”
“Huh?”
Drake signaled with his head in Seran’s direction. “The princess is waiting for you to escort her to the royal table.”
