Page 122 of The Stolen Princess
“I was trying to be nice.”
“Youwerenice.” Renna’s eyes softened. “Do you remember what you told me?”
Drake shook his head.
“I remember,” Renna said. “You said that if Trev were to me, you didn’t think he would ever be truly happy again. I think if you lose Myka, you won’t be happy again.”
“That’s not true.” Drake huffed. “I have my job as commander that I can focus on.”
That wasnotwhat he wanted to focus on anymore. He didn’t want to end up like Portlend Ricks. He wanted to mess up all of his plans just to be with her.
“You can’t build your entire life on that,” Renna said. “Do you love her?”
Drake rubbed his eyes, letting out a drawn-out sigh. Did he love Myka? He hadn’t known her that long, but he felt like he knew every part of her.
“Look at that face,” Trev said. “He definitely loves her.”
“You know,” Drake said, turning to them, “I don’t feel like I was this annoying when I was giving you two relationship advice.”
She shook her head, completely ignoring him. “If you love Myka, go after her. Don’t be like Trev.” Renna turned to her husband and scowled. “It doesn’t go over well.”
“I told him to write to you—to not wait,” Drake said.
Renna smiled. “Right! Now follow your own advice and go after Myka.”
Drake rubbed the back of his neck. He did love Myka, but he was scared she would push him away. Her letters implied that she didn’t think he was a jerk anymore, but this was Mykaleen Adler he was dealing with. She could change her mind for no reason whatsoever. He might show up in Tolsten and be greeted with a slap on the face. Then what? He’d have to come back to Albion heartbroken.
“Really, you don’t have a choice,” Trev said. “I’m sending you to Tolsten in my place whether you like it or not.”
“Why can’t you go?”
Trev looked at Renna.
“I’m three months pregnant,” she announced.
Drake smiled. “What? That’s great news. You should have led with that, not with my boring love life.”
“We’ve been having the worst cravings,” Trev said.
Renna’s eyes narrowed. “I...I’vebeen having the worst cravings. Not you.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?”
“We don’t know yet,” Renna said.
Drake smiled. “This is the best news.”
“It is,” Trev said. “And that is why we can’t go to Tolsten.”
Drake looked at them both. “Pregnant people can still travel.”
“Nope!” Trev said, standing. He reached his hand out to Renna, pulling her up. “So pack your bags. Your king is sending you to Tolsten.”
Drake stepped forward, looking at his best friend. “Trev, if I go to Tolsten, I might not come back.”
The two of them had been together since they were boys. They had trained together, fought together, and had planned an entire future together as king and commander. How could Drake turn his back on that?
“I know.” Trev nodded. “I hate it, but I understand.” He looked back at Renna. “I want you to be happy.” His eyes met Drake’s. “You should go get your girl.”
