Page 42 of The Promised Prince
With each passing second of silence, his nerves grew worse.
“Are you going to talk to me?” he asked.
“That depends on whether you are going to act like a complete jerk again.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that. To apologize for how I behaved last night.” His voice lacked his normal confident tone.
“Which time?” She turned to face him, anger burning in her eyes. “There are so many bad moments to choose from.”
“For it all. For the things I said. I don’t know what came over me.” He could see by her flashing eyes that he wasn’t getting very far with her. “There is a lot of pressure surrounding this marriage alliance. But when I thought you were the princess, I was excited for my future. Then you weren’t actually the princess, and I didn’t know how to handle my frustrations, so I acted like—”
“An ass.” She cut him off before he could finish, her eyes searing into him.
“Yes, an ass,” he said quietly.
Her expression was still stern as her focus went back to the horse, stroking his snout evenly.
He wished she would look at him so she could see how sorry he felt. “I really did enjoy our time together.”
Her hand paused its gentle movements as a new emotion swept across her face, but she quickly wiped it away. She cleared her throat and turned back to Trev. “I told myself last night that I didn’t want to be angry anymore, so...I forgive you. I can see how it was all just a silly misunderstanding,” she said, extending her hand for him to shake. “And I’m sorry for the assumptions I made about you.”
Her forgiveness was guarded and judging by the formal handshake she extended to him, things weren’t quite back to normal. But then, their normal had been so charged with attraction. They would have to find a new normal. Was that even possible?
He took her hand and immediately chills formed on the back of his neck, which made his heart start racing faster. He didn’t let go of her hand—just kept it there—the current spreading like fire between them.
“Friends?” he managed to get out.
“What else would we be?” Her words came out in a whisper.
What elsecouldthey be?
Nothing.
“That is, if you can handle being friends with me.” Her playful banter was coming back. That was a good sign.
He smiled with relief. “I’m sure I can handle it.”
Hearing sounds of Jamison’s returning, they both dropped their hands and shuffled apart from each other. The boy entered the stable with a stunning mare in tow, her coat sleek and black.
“So this is Dara?” Renna asked, admiring the beautiful dark horse.
Jamison led the black mare to where they stood. The horse seemed uneasy with her surroundings, pulling her head back against the reins.
“Hey girl,” Renna calmly whispered to the horse as she leaned in closer. “I’d like to be friends with you. I just became friends with the prince.” She eyed him with a whimsical gleam. “So maybe we can be friends too.”
Being friends is better than nothing,Trev told himself as he watched her.
The mare settled with each of Renna’s soothing words. “I think she likes me,” Renna said, her smile big and animated.
It’s impossible not to like you.
“My Lord, which horse should I prepare for Princess Seran now?” Jamison asked.
“This horse was meant for Seran?” Renna asked with guilt.
“Yes.” Trev nodded. “But I think she prefers you. Jamison, find Princess Seran a different mount. It looks like Dara and Miss Renna are friends.”
Jamison nodded and left.
