Page 52 of The Promised Prince
“Actually, it wouldn’t be fair to the other competitors. I’d most likely win every event.”
Her mother laughed and Trev grinned, but Renna raised her eyebrows at his cockiness.
“Miss Degray, do you doubt it?” His smug smile challenged her.
She had hoped she wouldn’t have to speak, especially not in front of her mother. But how could she ignore a direct question? She breathed in. “I doubt anyone who brags about their own talents.”
Her mother’s mouth dropped open.
“Even when they have the right to brag?” Trev didn’t seem angry. Just amused.
She smiled coyly. “Unfortunately, we’ll never know if you have that right.”
“I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“And we will,” Queen Mariele desperately added.
Trev nodded to the queen before turning his smug smile back on her. “Miss Degray, I hope you won’t mind, but I took the liberty of inviting my dear friend, Mr. Tybolt, to sit with you today.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Thank you, Your Highness, but that’s not necessary.” The last thing she wanted was to be stuck with Mr. Tybolt all day.
“Ah! Here he comes now. Tybolt!” Trev gestured to the large man. “I was just telling Miss Degray what a dear friend you are to our family and how I would like you two to be better acquainted.”
Renna could not believe what was happening. The sweaty man actually sat down and, in doing so, took up half of her seat. She looked to Trev to save her, but he seemed all too pleased with himself and the situation.
“The games are about to begin.” Trev backed up a few steps. “I trust you two will get along great.”
“Indeed!” Mr. Tybolt yelled, deafening Renna’s left ear in the process. This was going to be a long morning.
With an impish grin, Trev retreated to his seat, leaving Renna to glare at his back as he walked away. Clearly, she had underestimated how far he would go to carry out a joke.
She tried to focus on the tournament, doing her best to ignore the enormous, sweating man beside her. Archery was the first event. There were fifteen contestants in total. As each man was announced, Tybolt found something critical to say about him. They were either too poor, their clothes too gray, or they were somehow beneath him—even if they came from a respectable family. He insisted he was a far better bowman than any of the participants. Renna couldn’t even imagine Tybolt having enough muscles under all his layers to hold a bow, let alone standing still long enough to hit a target.
Renna was careful not to do or say anything that encouraged more conversation, but Tybolt hardly needed encouragement. He continued to lean in closer and closer until her neck began to hurt from straining away. At one point, Tybolt became so animated that saliva flew from his sweaty mouth and landed all over her neck. She silently cursed Trev as she wiped the liquid with the sleeve of her dress.
Her eyes continued to scan the arena until they found Joniss. He stood casually against a wooden post, feet crossed, and arms folded across his broad chest. He raised his eyes toward the large man next to her, and Renna subtly shook her head, eyes wide in feigned panic. Joniss mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”
“Did you also know I am skilled in other types of weapons?” Mr. Tybolt was still talking. Would he ever stop?
Not waiting for her answer, he continued to tell her specifically what weapons he liked to use and who he had challenged. With each word, his stale breath burned her nostrils. Turning her head away, she dared to look down the row in Trev’s direction. He was smiling as Seran talked. Unbelievable! He had stuck Mr. Tybolt on her while he was enjoying Seran and the archery competition.
He was officially the worst.
Then the worst’s beautiful blue eyes glanced at her. She gave Trev her most irritated glare as payback for the unpleasant situation he had placed her in. Trev held his fingers up to his chin, opening and closing them like pretend scissors to a beard.
19
Trev
“Ihave something planned for us after the competition,” Trev said to Seran over the cheers of the crowd. “Somewhere I wanted to take you.”
“That’s thoughtful of you, but I’m meeting with the dressmaker to discuss plans for my wedding dress.” Seran said, excitement edging her voice.
Trev forced a smile. “That sounds important.” The wedding still didn’t seem real to him, but this was a clear reminder that things between him and Seran were definitely real.
“Perhaps we can spend some time together later?” Seran reached out, squeezing his arm.
“Of course.”
