Page 46 of The Promised Prince
“That is definitely a shame.” Renna looked serious. “I suppose I’m destined to a life of loneliness, pining after Mr. Tybolt and all his charms.”
“You’ll probably love him your whole life and refuse to marry another,” Trev added.
“You’re right.” She smiled. “I’ll take up a job as a beard trimmer, hoping to see him every few months.”
“You’ll save clippings from his beard in a treasure box and smell them every night.”
Renna gasped. “Gross!”
“Did I take the story too far?” Trev’s face remained serious.
A puff of laughter escaped her nose. “A little.”
“I thought I was really onto something with the beard clippings.”
Renna’s laughter faded when she caught a glimpse of Seran across the grass. Her dark eyes watched them, but then she nodded politely and turned toward the young women she was getting to know.
“How are things going with Seran?” Renna asked, hoping to remind Trev of her. She didn’treallywant to talk about how things were going between the two of them, but that seemed like the kind of thing a friend would ask. And they were friends now.
Trev watched Seran from the side for a moment, then spoke. “She told me a little about her childhood, growing up betrothed to me. She said she used to play with dolls, and thatIwas the prince in her happily-ever-after make-believe games.”
“That’s actually quite adorable,” Renna said. She looked at Seran again, wishing it didn’t hurt her heart so much to hear that.
“Yes, it is. It’s also a lot of pressure—to live up to a figment of her imagination.”
Renna’s voice was light. “As if you need more pressure in your life.”
Trev chuckled. “I guess I have an entire lifetime to figure out how to be the man she hoped for.” His lips dropped down and his shoulders slumped, contradicting his laugh. He looked at Renna. The carefree twinkle in his eyes was gone, replaced by sadness. He smiled, but Renna saw through his mask to how unhappy he was. He bowed. “Miss Degray, I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” And with that, he turned and walked away.
Renna’s heart tightened uncomfortably, and she let out a deep breath. Just being friends was going to be harder than she thought.
She found a table on the opposite side of the tent from Trev and Seran, hoping to sit as far away as possible, but somehow still ended up with a perfect view of them through lunch. Renna tried not to watch their interactions, but she was keenly aware of every lean, touch, and whisper the two shared. It was torture.
She had to stop this. She didn’t want to be a front-row spectator to their courtship.
“Miss Degray?”
Renna turned to see a young man towering over her, a little like he’d been sent from heaven to save her from her misery. But this guy made her worry. He was attractive, and he knew it. He was tall and muscular, his hair light brown, streaked with golden highlights from the sun. His eyes were dark with flecks of yellow, and they were mischievous like he was about to do something he shouldn’t. His smile came easy and was warm, inviting, and full—a real heartbreaker.
He gestured to himself. “I’m Joniss Doman.”
“Renna Degray.” Renna inclined her head respectfully. “But you already knew that.”
His answering grin was mildly suggestive. “I have to confess, I’ve been waiting patiently for a chance to meet you.”
“And why is that?” She couldn’t think of a single reason someone would want to meet her when Seran was nearby.
“Because you are by far the most beautiful woman here.”
A skeptical laugh escaped her. He couldn’t be serious, but the compliment was nice all the same. “Well, I hate waiting for anything, so that sounds awful.”
“I think you are worth the wait.” He took the empty chair beside her.
Recent experience had taught Renna she should be wary of men, but she was grateful for the distraction. She glanced once more toward Trev and Seran to see their heads bent together in whispered conversation.
“People like us should stick together.” Joniss rested his elbow on the table casually, bringing her attention back to him.
“People like us?”
