Page 57 of The Promised Prince
“Okay, fine. I was flirting with you. But I didn’t mean to.” He matched her pace again.
“Well, stop.” She looked nervous, keeping her focus straight ahead until she abruptly stopped and looked at him. “It’s just...” She paused, indecision visible on her face.
He knew what she wasn’t saying.Whoshe wasn’t mentioning. Seran’s kind face flashed through his mind, reminding him of her honesty, her vulnerability; he closed his eyes and tried to shake away his shame.
“You’re right. I won’t flirt with you anymore.” They continued walking. “But can we still be friends?”
“Of course,” she said too quickly.
Trev turned to face her but continued to walk backward. “Friends with no accidental flirting. I got it.”
He wondered if he really didget it.
He stopped walking, making her nearly bump into him. “I’m glad we’re still friends. I like having you as my friend.”
Her breath stilled at his nearness, making him smile.
“You’re still flirting with me,” she said plainly. “You can’t even go one second.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That was not flirting.Thatwas friendliness. Don’t confuse friendliness for flirting, or my kindness will all go straight to your head.” He shook his head as if he found her impossible.
Renna’s mouth dropped open, letting out a puff of air.
He smiled back at her before leaving. “Have a wonderful day, Miss Degray.”
20
Renna
Afire burned in the palace fireplace, which seemed odd to Renna, considering that it was the beginning of September, and the temperature outside was still warm. Somebody at the palace must have thought it would make the large room where the women gathered after dinner seem cozier. Seran and her friends assembled around a circular table playing cards while Queen Mariele sat at a desk nearby. She had received a letter from King Bryant earlier in the day and now worked a pen furiously over her response. Renna sat, her back pressed against the soft velvet sofa as her eyes scanned the words of a book. Despite her effort, it was hard to concentrate with the mindless chatter of Seran’s followers filling the room around her.
“Seran, I don’t know how you are going to kiss the sweaty guy who wins the tournament. It’s going to be disgusting,” Jenica scoffed.
Lizanne mused, “Too bad Prince Ezra can’t enter the competition. Then you could kiss him instead.”
“Seran doesn’t need a tournament to kiss the prince,” Sheridan snapped at Lizanne, and Renna wondered again why they all talked down to Lizanne so much.
“Maybe they’ve already kissed.” Jenica raised her dark eyebrows questioningly.
All women, including Renna, looked to Seran for the answer.
With a shy smirk, she placed a stack of cards on the table. “A lady never tells.”
The other women laughed.
Renna sucked in all the air around her and tried to focus on her book.
Jenica added to the pile of cards on the table. “I think Albion is treating us all very well. There are so many good-looking men to choose from.”
“Have you met Officer Vestry? He’s so dreamy!” Lizanne said.
Sheridan kept her eyes on her cards as she spoke. “Yes, very handsome!”
“Or what about Officer Doman?”Lizanne paused to speak before picking up a card from the pile.
“Lizanne.” Jenica looked as if she were disgusted. “You’re just naming every man you’ve met.”
“I would stay away from Officer Doman. Ezra said he’s trouble.” Seran placed another card on the table.
