King Carver’s staff had planned an entire week of activities to allow Trev and Princess Seran time to court, while also showcasing the country of Albion for the New Hope visitors. Today’s horseback tour was just one of these festivities. While New Hope’s and Albion’s chief advisors worked out the details of the marriage treaty, Trev would host a tournament of games, a festival, a picnic with school children, a visit to market day, and a ball in honor of the New Hope royalty.
Trev led his New Hope guests and a group of Albion’s most prominent men and women by horseback north of the ruler’s palace. He pointed out the tallest peak of the Albion mountains, places in Albana City, the acres of farmland under the direction of King Carver, and a few pre-Desolation ruins.
Princess Seran rode next to him, their pace slow enough to allow conversation. Her hair was slicked back into a high ponytail, and she wore a light purple riding outfit that made her pale skin glow.
“Do you like your role as the prince of Albion?” Seran asked as they rode along.
“There’s good and bad as I’m sure you know. I don’t know life any other way, so it’s hard to compare. What about you? Do you like being the princess of New Hope?”
“It comes with a lot of meetings and a rigorous education, but there is also a lot of ease and luxury, so I guess I can’t complain. However, I would have been perfectly happy out of the spotlight in dull and colorless dresses.”
He wasn’t expecting that answer. “You don’t like the spotlight?”
“It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s part of my job—my role as princess—and I take that seriously. But if my life were different, if I had a different role that wasn’t so public, I’d be fine with that too.”
“Are you scared to marry me?” he asked, trying to face the awkwardness of their situation head-on.
She smirked, her dark eyes gleaming. “That’s a very forward question.”
Trev shook his head. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer.”
“I want you to ask me questions like that. To approach this marriage with honesty. I’ve been engaged to you since I was ten years old. Every time I played dolls or house, you were the prince. You were the happily-ever-after.” Her dark eyes glanced away. “You ask if I am scared to marry you. My answer is yes.”
It was a relief that her answer matched his own anguish. He was scared too.
She continued to speak with poise. “I’m scared for the little girl that pretended to know you, that she’ll be disappointed in who you are. And, I’m scared for the woman I am today, that I won’t be what you want.”
“I’m scared of disappointing you too,” Trev admitted. “Not that I’m a bad guy or anything. I plan on being a good husband and partner. I just don’t know if I’m what you want.”
“If it matters, each moment I spend with you, I get less scared.” She half-smiled, barely showing her straight, white teeth. “So, you must be doing something right.”
“I don’t know about that,” Trev argued.
They rode in companionable silence for a moment until Seran’s expression turned grave. She lowered her voice. “I heard about the attack on Axville. Is it certain that Tolsten was involved?”
“Almost certain.” Trev sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “There have been skirmishes with Tolsten soldiers on our side of the border.”
Her smile was grim. “It looks like you may need my military after all.”
Trev shifted in his saddle. It felt odd discussing his country’s political maneuvers with Seran. But she was going to be his queen in a few weeks. He needed to get used to sharing things with her.
“I hope it won’t come to that. I’d like to keep New Hope away from battle, if I can.”
“But that is the point of our marriage, isn’t it?” Seran met his eyes. “If you need our men, they’re yours.”
“Thank you,” was all Trev could mutter in response. A marriage for a military. The thought made him sick. How could two things so starkly different from each other be tied together?
Their conversation bounced from one topic to another. Trev found that they had a lot in common. Her mother had passed away. She had no siblings and felt the pressure of being an heir to the throne. She was knowledgeable in the workings of her government and her people and seemed to have good intentions when it came to governing. His father had been right; marrying Princess Seran was a good choice for Albion.
But was she a good choice for him? Under different circumstances, Trev might have welcomed the arrangement wholeheartedly. But all he could think about now was Renna at the side of the group and the men on their horses surrounding her. They were all harmless, really. A few young, eager soldiers and young men from the city, and then Mr. Tybolt, a large, balding, married man who frequently had his last meal stuck in his hairy beard.
Trev was confident none of those men could impress Renna.
At least he hoped not.
16
Renna
The horses slowed to a stop as the company came upon white tents and buffet tables of food laid out for them by servants.
A servant helped Renna down from Dara’s back and took the reins from her hands. “I’ll take your horse, my lady,” he said, pulling her horse over to be tied up, leaving Renna alone.
There were so many men from prominent families on the outing. Her mother would call them “potential marriage matches” and would be thrilled with the attention they were showing Renna. None of the men seemed to view her as the afterthought stepsister like the men in New Hope. Instead, they clamored to talk to her. In New Hope, she was an unfortunate reminder of the queen’s former life. But here in Albion, she was part of the royal caravan and an honored guest. It was a nice change, even if it meant she had to be around Trev.
She turned and nearly bumped into him and Seran.
“Renna, I’m so glad to see you,” Seran said with a genuine smile. “You seemed upset at dinner last night, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Renna glanced awkwardly at Trev, then back at Seran. “I wasn’t upset.”
“Are you sure?” Seran pressed. “It seemed like something was bothering you.”
Seran! Stop! Please!
Renna shook her head. “Nope. I’m fine.”
“Have you had a chance to meet Prince Ezra?” Seran asked, switching to another equally awkward topic.
Renna cleared her throat. “Only briefly.”
“Miss Degray, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Trev stiffly bowed in front of her, kissing Renna’s hand, sending a shot of tingles down her spine—tingles that needed to stop immediately.
Renna gave Seran a playful look. “You’re right, Seran. You are much better looking than Prince Ezra.”
Trev nodded dramatically. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Seran shook her head, smiling. “I never said that. Renna is known for pranking people.”
Trev raised his eyebrows. “Is that so?”
Renna’s eyes dropped to the ground as her face flushed.