Page 53 of The Promised Prince
Trev tried to turn his focus back to the end of the competition, but every once in a while, his eyes drifted to Renna a few seats down. He’d hoped Tybolt’s placement would come across as a joke, though after watching Renna shrink away from the man all morning, he began to wonder if it had been a little too much for him to put Renna through. The one upside was that no other man could get anywhere near her while Tybolt was there—his immense body acting as a barricade between her and any other suitor.
But that wasn’t fair of him, and he knew it.
“So I’ll see you later?” Seran asked when the competition was over, pulling his attention back to her.
“Sure.” Trev stood.
“What are you going to do?”
Renna stood, trying to escape Tybolt. Maybe Trev should rescue her. He smiled back at Seran. “Oh, I’m sure I have some policies on my desk that need to be reviewed.”
He waited until Seran had walked away and then he made his move, arriving on the scene just as Tybolt stood and asked Renna and her mother to accompany him to the lunch buffet.
“I think—” Renna began to say until Trev interrupted her.
“I think Miss Degray already has plans for lunch.”
Tybolt shrunk a little in Trev’s presence. Sweat trickled from his forehead down into his beard. “I see.”
“My mother, however, would be thrilled to accompany you.” Renna smiled warmly at the queen, who didn’t know quite how to respond.
Recovering quickly, Queen Mariele said with a polite smile, “Certainly.”
Tybolt shuffled his massive body around several chairs, trying to exit. The queen took his offered arm. “Well then, thank you for a most agreeable morning,” he sputtered to Renna.
“Agreeable doesn’t even begin to describe it.” Renna smiled sweetly, and Trev laughed under his breath at her seemingly innocent remark.
Tybolt paused, looking confused, and then escorted the queen away.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Trev asked.
“Where’s Seran?” Renna said, glancing over his shoulder for the princess. “Don’t you need to spend time with her?”
Yes, he should be with Seran, but she was busy. “I asked her if she wanted to come with me, and she turned me down. She has a meeting with the dressmaker.” He shrugged. “Instead of canceling my plans, I thought I could take you.”
“Don’t you have more important things to do?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I had more important things to do. Do you want to come or not?”
She looked around them, likely checking to see who was watching or noticing them together.
“I guess it would be all right,” she finally answered.
“Trev! There you are.” The pair turned to see Drake coming their way. “Should we all walk to lunch together?” he asked, desperation infusing his tone. Undoubtedly, he thought it was a bad idea for Trev to be alone with Renna.
Probably because itwasa bad idea.
But there was no harm in being around Renna, not out in public. Besides, Seran had said no. She’d probably be happy he’d taken Renna instead.
“Renna and I have other plans,” Trev replied.
“Other plans besides lunch?” Drake asked, not even trying to hide his irritation.
“Yes.” Before Drake could respond, Trev pulled Renna away. They walked side by side, though Trev kept his hands clasped behind his back in case he had a spontaneous urge to touch her. That seemed to keep happening.
“I hope you don’t feel like you have to plan something to keep me entertained. I know you were just trying to be nice by saving me from Tybolt, even if you were the one who stuck me with him in the first place. If you want, we can turn back to lunch.”
“Who says I was just being nice? I meant what I said. I have other plans for you.” He pointed to the training field lined with men. “Have you been over here yet?”
