“I can see why you like it here so much. There’s so much open space. It’s refreshing.” Her voice caught as she spoke.
Renna hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, doubting Seran would tell her even if something was wrong. They didn’t have a bad relationship, but they weren’t close. Their conversation topics usually covered meaningless gossip, the latest fashion trends, events held at the Government Center, the king and queen, and the weather.
Seran was silent, staring out at the fields with an unmistakably sad expression. Renna pressed gently, “Are you nervous about going to Albion?”
Seran smiled lightly. “Am I nervous about going to a new kingdom, a new home, and living with a new family? Probably no more nervous than you were when you had to leave this place.”
Renna hadn’t thought about it that way, but it made her see her stepsister differently. Seran was the perfect princess, but for a brief moment, Renna just saw a girl carted away from her home in a negotiation.
Renna eased onto the edge of the bench next to Seran. “I was nervous about moving to the Government Center, but I still had my mom. And you have your friends.”
“I’m sure they’ll be a great comfort to me.” Seran sighed. Renna couldn’t tell if she meant the comment sarcastically or not.
“And you’ll have Prince Ezra.” Renna smiled with encouragement.
“Yes, I’ll have Prince Ezra.” Seran turned her head the other direction, discreetly wiping an errant tear. “My father’s advisors tell me he’s handsome, charming, and kind.”
“Then it sounds like your father made a good match for you.”
“Yes, I’m very fortunate.” There was an edge of bitterness in her voice, but Seran quickly moved on, straightening her back and smoothing her dress as she stood. “I better go see if they’re ready to go. I hope you find your friend,” she said, swishing past Renna.
Renna sat on the bench a moment longer, surprised. She couldn’t believe the honest moment she had just shared with Seran. It had only taken four years for her stepsister to open up to her. Now that they were finally getting closer, Seran was leaving.
Renna followed Seran around to the front of the house where maids and guards busily loaded the last few items into the transporters. The queen and Seran’s friends stood around the vehicles, watching the guards load the backs with luggage.
Jenica walked to Seran, calling to Renna over her shoulder. “Where did you run off to today?”
“I had a secret rendezvous in the woods with a handsome man.” As she said it, she could feel her mother’s eyes cutting into her.
Jenica laughed flippantly. “Oh, Renna! At least you have a sense of humor.”
“Yes. Thank goodness for that,” Renna said sarcastically.
Mangum bowed before the queen. “We’re ready to go, my lady.” He held the door open for them.
Renna met Preetis behind the vehicle. “I’ll see you in a few weeks on our way back through.” She hugged him, stretching to the tips of her toes to reach around his shoulders.
“You save more time for me when you come back. I’ll put you to work in those fields.”
Renna laughed. “Plan on it.”
She climbed into the transporter and watched as Wellenbreck faded from her view.
7
Trev
Trev skidded his PT to a stop in front of the Vassel Inn. Drake sat a few feet away at a metal table under the shade of the inn’s canopy. Other than him, the patio was empty. A finished plate and cup were laid out in front of him.
“You went back to see the girl, didn’t you?” Drake asked.
Trev smiled and shrugged at his friend.
“What are you thinking? You’re getting married in four weeks!” There was an edge of irritation to Drake’s tone. “I mean, I understand that you’re being forced into a marriage with a woman you don’t know, but this isn’t like you. It’s a little late to behave this way.”
“It’s never too late to go after a pretty woman.” Trev’s eyebrow raised up.
Drake closed his eyes and pressed his fingertips together in front of him as if praying for patience. “When the king expects you home tomorrow to meet the woman you’re engaged to, then yes, it is too late. Nothing can happen with this girl. Nothing.”
“Relax,” Trev said with an easy smile.
“I’m not going to relax. You are engaged.” Drake shook his head as he rubbed the stubble on his chin, clearly frustrated.
“She’s the princess of New Hope.”
Drake snapped his head up. “Who?”
“Renna.” His voice deepened.
“Who’s Renna?”
“The girl I met at the pond. She’s the princess of New Hope.”
Drake’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought the princess was named Seran.”
It hadn’t occurred to Trev that she had changed her name, but Drake was right. The princess of New Hope was named Seran. She must have changed her name so he wouldn’t know who she was.
That’s why she didn’t want to tell him her name when they first met.
It all made sense now.
It wasn’t like Trev went around calling himself Ezra.
“How did you find out?” Drake asked.
“She told me.”
“She told you?” Drake repeated. “Does she know who you are?”
“Not yet.” Trev looked forward to her reaction when she found out.
“Why haven’t you told her?”
“It didn’t come up.”
“It didn’t come up?” Drake asked with exasperation.
“Why do you keep repeating everything I say?”
“Because I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Drake was speechless for a moment, then let out a harsh breath. “I feel like the fact that she is the princess of New Hope, and you are the prince of Albion—who she is about to marry—is an important piece of information that you should have mentioned.”
“What’s she going to do? Go find another prince to marry?”
“You never know. If she doesn’t like you, maybe she’ll call off the marriage treaty. Albion needs the alliance to work more than New Hope does.”
“Why wouldn’t she like me?” Trev feigned offense. “I’m a catch!”
“Do you like her?” Drake asked.
For years now, the best he had hoped for out of the New Hope princess was someone he could tolerate, maybe even respect. But Renna was more than that. She was unexpected, and so were his rapidly developing feelings.
Trev shrugged. “We get along.”
Drake’s jaw dropped a little. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Like what?”
“You know.” Drake flipped his hand over and over as he searched for the right explanation. “All crazy over a girl.”
A puff of air vibrated through Trev’s lips. “I’m not crazy over a girl.”
“Yes, you are.” Drake’s eyebrows raised in amusement. “Big time.”