Page 69 of The Promised Prince
“Is that what your relationship feels like to you? A job?” Renna tried to mask her hurt. Being with Trev wasn’t a job or hard work. Everything between them felt easy and natural to her.
Seran met Renna’s eyes and sighed. “It’s difficult to feel otherwise when every moment I have with him is a public relations stunt. We’ve hardly had time alone together.”
Renna nodded, hating the rush of relief she felt. Much as she hated to admit it, she needed things to go well between them. She needed Trev to fall madly in love with Seran, and she with him. It hurt, of course, but how else could Renna move on?
“I suppose things are going well,” Seran continued. “Ezra has a lot of wonderful qualities that make us a fine match. But in other ways, I wonder if we are too different.”
“How so?”
“Oh, he’s silly when I’m serious, that sort of thing. But maybe that doesn’t matter. Maybe our differences are a good thing.” Seran shrugged. “Perhaps we will complement each other.”
“Is that how it was with your parents?” Renna didn’t have much experience with arranged marriages.
Seran laughed half-heartedly. “I could pretend that my parents loved each other, but that would be a lie. They respectfully tolerated each other. I see that now that my father is with your mother. He loves Queen Mariele very much.”
“I see it too,” Renna admitted. “I don’t think my mother loved my father the way she loves Bryant.” A familiar pang of heartache pulsed inside her heart as she thought back to her father, desperately trying to win her mother’s love.
“And your father?” Seran asked suddenly. “Do you think he ever loved your mother?”
“I think he did. He was kind to my mother. And patient.” Renna swallowed her emotion. “I think he loved her as much as she allowed him to.”
Seran smiled ruefully. “Then I suppose we should feel grateful that our parents finally found love with each other.”
Grateful?Renna had never thought of it that way.
They lapsed into silence, watching a few servants in the field below battle a breeze as they set up a shade tent.
Seran was quiet for a moment, then said matter-of-factly, “I know my marriage isn’t about love, but I still worry that I’ll end up like your father and my mother—married to someone who will never love me back.” Then, with detached emotion, she added, “The prince might even love someone else.”
Renna’s chest constricted. Did Seran suspect something? “I’m sure Prince Ezra isn’t like that.”
Seran shrugged. “I wouldn’t know if he is or isn’t. I barely know anything about him. But I hope you’re right.”
The palace door opened behind them and they both turned. Trev emerged, wearing fitted, black athletic pants and a blue t-shirt that made his eyes pop more than usual.
Seran greeted him with a full smile.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said, glancing briefly at Renna before kissing Seran’s cheek. Then he turned his attention on everywhere else but Renna. He was obviously trying to avoid her after the way they had left things last night.
The gates down the driveway opened up in front of them, letting six palace transporters in. Little heads popped out the open windows as the children tried to get a better view of the palace. Against her better judgment, Renna stole a glance at Trev. He waved at the vehicles, showing his charming, boyish grin.
He was cute—obnoxiously and excruciatingly cute.
Trev
Bringing schoolchildren to the palace was another brilliant idea from somebody on his father’s staff. Let the public see how excellent Princess Seran and Prince Ezra are with children. Real life at the palace wasn’t really like this. Inside, men were brainstorming ways to attack the world’s most threatening kingdom, while Trev was outside playing kickball. He hated missing those meetings. His father was pushing for revenge on Tolsten. Trev needed to be there to talk some sense into him, but he didn’t have a choice. He was the host for the children’s field trip.
Somehow Trev found himself in the middle of a game of tag. The kids loved trying to get him as he darted in and out, dodging little hands. Seran stood timidly on the sidelines, smiling and laughing at his antics. He was keenly aware of Renna across the lawn watching him as well, but he avoided her. Was she still mad at him for warning her about Joniss? He hated the way they had left things, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Now, his duty was to Seran.
“When I say go,” he told a group of kids huddled around him, “I want everyone to run to Princess Seran and tickle her.”
They nodded in excitement.
“Ready? Go!”
The children shrieked and burst toward her.
Seran squealed with wide eyes. She tried to jog away, but Trev was faster and quickly caught her around the waist.
