Page 41 of The Promised Prince
Her future lands.
She started up a few steps and then turned toward Drake. “Thank you for everything tonight. I think you were the best part of my day.”
His smile was genuine as he turned to walk away. “Consider me part of your personal welcoming committee.”
Renna’s room was dark and empty as she entered. Nora wasn’t there, but that was no surprise; Nora wouldn’t have expected her back so soon. Renna dressed for bed and climbed under the covers, knowing sleep wouldn’t come easily. She was consumed by what Drake had told her.
Trev was crushed.Crushed.
Drake had no reason to lie to her. Which meant it really had been a big misunderstanding. Trev had thought she was the princess. Renna’s anger had blinded her when he’d first claimed as much, preventing her from seeing Trev’s side of the story. Still, he should have known that Princess Seran wasn’t the daughter of the queen. Questioned her when she said her name was anything but Seran. He should have realized.
She didn’t want to be angry anymore. It was exhausting fighting Trev, and right now, she needed all her strength to fight her feelings for him. But her anger made her heart feel safe, like if she stayed mad, she couldn’t get hurt again.
Tomorrow was a new day—a new chance to forgive and forget the prince.
Maybe she would have better luck then.
15
Trev
Trev woke late and headed down to breakfast. He meant to talk to Renna and apologize for the way he had acted the night before. Last evening had made Trev uncomfortable. He never treated people like that, and now he regretted it. He had been the worst kind of host. He had been the worst kind of everything since he’d found out Renna wasn’t the princess.
By the time he made it down to breakfast, everyone had finished eating, and the servants were cleaning up. He grabbed a croissant, hoping he would get a chance to talk to Renna before the entourage went out riding.
Trev walked to the stables. He could hear people talking outside, already gathered for the ride, waiting for horses to be brought out by the servants, but he didn’t feel like mingling with anyone in the entourage, at least not yet. Instead, he ducked inside the stable before anyone saw him, stopping short when he heard a familiar sound. Renna’s laughter echoed through the stalls as though it were bouncing from one barrel of hay to the next. He rounded the corner to see her talking cheerfully with a stocky young stable boy.
When the boy recognized him, he immediately bowed. “Your Highness.”
Renna turned to Trev, and her smile faded. Her hair was weaved into a single braid that was flipped over one shoulder. She wore a long, burnt orange skirt with a fitted matching top. She curtsied slightly. “Prince Ezra.”
Trev hated the formality of it all. He wanted to go back to when things were easy between the two of them.
“Good morning, Miss Degray.”
She barely acknowledged his address, instead turning to the horse in the stall beside her.
“What brings you to the stables?” He tried to make his voice sound normal, cheerful even.
Her voice was decidedly not cheerful. “I had some extra time before the excursion. I thought I would see what kind of horses you keep here.” She looked up at him pointedly. “Is there anything wrong with that,Your Highness?”
“You’re free to do whatever you want during your visit,” he said sincerely. She turned her attention back to the horse in front of her, but Trev pressed on. “Do you ride?”
She squared her shoulders. “Of course.”
“Boy, fetch the lady—”
“His name is Jamison,” Renna inserted, and Trev winced at the judgment in her tone. Apparently, she wasn’t impressed with the fact that he didn’t know his own stable hand’s name.
The boy visibly beamed with appreciation. That, or he was smitten with Renna too.
“Jamison,” Trev tried again. “Will you please fetch Dara for Miss Degray to ride this morning?”
Jamison’s eyes went wide with surprise. “Dara? Your Highness, I thought she was promised for—”
“It’s all right.” Trev kept his eyes locked on her. “She’s perfect for Renna.”
The boy bowed and scurried off. Renna turned her attention back to the horse in front of her, stroking the mane and whispering into his ear. For a brief moment, Trev wished he was the horse. It was a laughable thought.
