“You are quickly becoming my favorite person.” He spoke quietly, his words somewhere between a normal voice and a whisper.
Renna swallowed back the butterflies rising in her stomach. “You must not know that many people.”
Trev smiled—the full smile that Renna was beginning to love. He stepped closer. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?”
Her heart tripled in speed as her eyes met his. “I would probably wonder if I’m doing it right.”
Oh, why do I always say the first thing that comes to my mind?
Trev laughed, the sound soft and deep. “I’ll let you know if I have any complaints.”
Renna’s stomach turned over itself, and her breathing became heavy. Slowly, he leaned down and touched the tip of his nose to hers. She closed her eyes, anticipating his lips’ soft touch when the unexpected drone of an engine interrupted them.
Renna jumped, and her sudden movement left Trev’s lips to clumsily brush against her lower cheek. Or maybe it was her neck—she wasn’t even sure. Flames of red embarrassment crept up her face at the awkward almost-kiss, but they flamed even hotter when she turned to see Mangum emerge from the trees on a PT and skid to a stop behind them. He jumped off the motorized bike and came toward them angrily.
How much had Mangum seen?
He stopped a few paces away, his brows pulled together in a stern frown. “Renna, your mother sent me to find you. The caravan is leaving within the hour.”
“It’s my fault,” Trev said, stepping forward confidently. “We lost track of time.”
Mangum’s eyes narrowed on Trev. “I could’ve guessed who was to blame.”
Renna cringed. Did Mangum have to play the role of father right this very second?
“Glad we’re on the same page.” Trev smiled, and she marveled at his ability to remain calm under Mangum’s glare.
“We’re leaving,” Mangum said to Renna in a clipped tone, his eyes never wavering from Trev.
Renna was all too happy to oblige, unable to bear her mortification for another second. “Will I see you at the palace?” She nervously looked between Mangum and Trev. She hated that they had to have their goodbyes in front of him.
Trev winked at her. “You won’t be able to miss me.”
And with that, Trev climbed on his PT, started the engine, and drove off into the trees.
6
Renna
Renna sat on the PT behind Mangum; his stiff posture was proof enough that he was upset with her. She thought about keeping her mouth shut for the entire ride, but she couldn’t. She needed to ask Mangum a favor before it was too late.
“Mangum?” Renna spoke into the side of his helmet. “Can we stop at my father’s grave real quick?” Mangum was usually so serious that Renna wasn’t entirely sure what he thought about her. She guessed that he liked her, at least a little bit. Why else would he have put up with her pranks for so long? She hoped that he would do her this one favor today.
“Your mother will be upset,” he said against the wind.
“Please, Mangum.” Her hands pulled tightly at the sides of his shirt. “It’s on the way.”
His body relaxed. “Fine. But just for a moment.”
Renna smiled, hugging him to her chest.
The meadow came into view around the corner, and Renna could hardly wait for the PT to slow to a stop before she jumped off. She ran across the secluded glade to her father’s graveside.
“We’re leaving,” she whispered under her breath, not wanting Mangum to hear. “I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye, but I promise I’ll come back. I’ll find a way to come back.” Renna bent down, grazing her fingers over the headstone. “I love you, Dad. I’ll always be your little girl.”
She hesitated for a moment before running back to the waiting PT.
“Okay, we can go now,” Renna said, wrapping her arms around Mangum. As they drove along, she studied Mangum’s hair coming out the back of his helmet. The brown strands were heavily streaked with gray.
As they came down the hill, guards folded up tents and carried them to the waiting transporters. Everyone’s heads flipped to Renna when they heard the personal transporter. Mangum parked and helped her to the ground. Her hair was still damp, and so was her dress where her undergarments had soaked through, plus all the dried mud remained. Renna sighed as Mangum escorted her past the men, knowing she was giving the guards quite the show.
“I must notify the queen of your activities.” Mangum’s voice was solemn as he opened the back door for her.
Renna was careful to avoid eye contact; she couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his kind eyes. “It’s really not necessary,” she said, hoping he would reconsider.
“I wish it wasn’t, but I work for your mother.” Mangum nodded then left to go report to the queen.
“That should be interesting,” Renna muttered under her breath.
“There you are, child,” Nellie said as Renna walked into the kitchen, closing the door softly behind her. “You missed lunch, but I saved some sandwiches for you. I’ll put them in a sack, and you can eat them on the way.”
“You’re always so kind to me, Nellie.”
“I’ll put some carrots in there too. Something healthy for you.”
Trev doesn’t like carrots.
She smiled just thinking about him, his boyish charm, and the way he joked with her. Humor was always Renna’s weakness when it came to men, so Trev and his witty personality were enough to keep her highest hopes about love alive.
Preetis came through the door behind her, carrying a bag of vegetables. He looked older than Renna remembered, with wrinkles curling around his eyes and lips. His hair was gone on the top of his head, and his tan skin looked tougher than before. But he lit up with youthful excitement when he saw Renna.
“There she is!” he exclaimed, kissing Renna on the forehead. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you this visit.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I haven’t been around much.”
“Well, let’s get a good look at you.” He pulled Renna to her feet, holding out her arms. “You’re all grown up and looking just like your dad.”
“Nah, I’m better looking than he was.”
Preetis chuckled. “It’s a good thing he isn’t here to hear you say that.”
The sound of bustling skirts interrupted them, announcing the arrival of Cypress, the queen’s maid. She strode into the room with an air of emergency, like always. Her brown hair was cut short, and her eyebrows arched high into the creases of her forehead, adding to her intensity.
“Renna, the queen requests an audience with you.” She spoke with an edge of anxiousness to her voice. When Renna didn’t immediately jump to her command, she snapped, “Now!”
Renna knew better than to keep Cypress waiting, let alone her mother. She gave Preetis and Nellie a frustrated look and followed Cypress up the stairs to her mother’s room.
Mariele was seated on a large chair near the window. The room was bare and gloomy compared to the queen’s enormous chamber at the Government Center. Two soldiers were carrying the queen’s trunks from the room as they entered. She waved her hand impatiently toward the guards and Cypress. “Leave us.” Cypress gave a knowing nod and closed the door behind her as everybody left.