She leaned in so only he could hear. “I feel nervous with all of these guys watching.”
He whispered back with a smile, “You should feel nervous. They’re not here to watch me.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll give them a show.” Renna stepped up to fire. The bullet landed low on the target but was well within the second ring. She grinned at the crowd of men applauding behind her.
Trev raised his left arm, releasing his first bullet. Shooting with his opposite arm felt awkward, but he managed to hit the target closer than Renna had. She shot another that landed even closer than her first. The soldiers cheered even louder for her. She looked at him with raised eyebrows, daring him to match her shot. He couldn’t back down from those green eyes. His bullet landed right next to hers.
“It looks like we’re even. Whoever has the best shot on this next one is the winner,” he said. “Don’t mess up.”
She pulled the trigger and was disappointed to see the mark in the upper right corner of the paper, not touching the actual target
It would be easy to finish her off now, and Trev wasn’t going to hold back. He raised his arm, but just as he released the bullet, Renna’s soft fingers tickled the back of his neck behind his ear, burning his skin with her simple touch. The bullet sailed through the air high, missing the paper target completely.
The men laughed and cheered as Renna raised her arms in victory.
Trev couldn’t believe he had lost. He never lost unless it was on purpose.
“Poor Prince Ezra. How embarrassing to lose to a woman, and in front of so many of your comrades!” Renna said, her voice full of sarcasm.
Trev lowered to one knee in front of her. “Renna Degray, I am your humble servant of chocolate.”
She threw her head back as a burst of contagious laughter bubbled out of her throat. Both her arms raised above her head in victory. He smiled, watching her until his stomach squeezed with frustration. She was not his, and she never could be.
As they strode back to the palace, Renna gloated about every detail of her win.
“Even though the gun was light, I worry my arm will be sore tomorrow from shooting so much,” she said.
“I could always rub it for you,” Trev joked, stepping toward her, impeding her way.
Renna’s eyes dropped, and she stepped around, continuing forward. “Instead of chocolate, I should’ve said that you couldn’t flirt with me anymore.”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t flirting with you.”
She dipped her chin, giving him a pointed look.
Was he flirting with her? He hadn’t meant to, but whenever he was around Renna, the line between friends and more than friends blurred.
“Okay, fine. I was flirting with you. But I didn’t mean to.” He matched her pace again.
“Well, stop.” She looked nervous, keeping her focus straight ahead until she abruptly stopped and looked at him. “It’s just . . .” She paused, indecision visible on her face.
He knew what she wasn’t saying. Who she wasn’t mentioning. Seran’s kind face flashed through his mind, reminding him of her honesty, her vulnerability; he closed his eyes and tried to shake away his shame.
“You’re right. I won’t flirt with you anymore.” They continued walking. “But can we still be friends?”
“Of course,” she said too quickly.
Trev turned to face her but continued to walk backward. “Friends with no accidental flirting. I got it.”
He wondered if he really did get it.
He stopped walking, making her nearly bump into him. “I’m glad we’re still friends. I like having you as my friend.”
Her breath stilled at his nearness, making him smile.
“You’re still flirting with me,” she said plainly. “You can’t even go one second.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That was not flirting. That was friendliness. Don’t confuse friendliness for flirting, or my kindness will all go straight to your head.” He shook his head as if he found her impossible.
Renna’s mouth dropped open, letting out a puff of air.
He smiled back at her before leaving. “Have a wonderful day, Miss Degray.”
20
Renna
A fire burned in the palace fireplace, which seemed odd to Renna, considering that it was the beginning of September, and the temperature outside was still warm. Somebody at the palace must have thought it would make the large room where the women gathered after dinner seem cozier. Seran and her friends assembled around a circular table playing cards while Queen Mariele sat at a desk nearby. She had received a letter from King Bryant earlier in the day and now worked a pen furiously over her response. Renna sat, her back pressed against the soft velvet sofa as her eyes scanned the words of a book. Despite her effort, it was hard to concentrate with the mindless chatter of Seran’s followers filling the room around her.
“Seran, I don’t know how you are going to kiss the sweaty guy who wins the tournament. It’s going to be disgusting,” Jenica scoffed.
Lizanne mused, “Too bad Prince Ezra can’t enter the competition. Then you could kiss him instead.”
“Seran doesn’t need a tournament to kiss the prince,” Sheridan snapped at Lizanne, and Renna wondered again why they all talked down to Lizanne so much.
“Maybe they’ve already kissed.” Jenica raised her dark eyebrows questioningly.
All women, including Renna, looked to Seran for the answer.
With a shy smirk, she placed a stack of cards on the table. “A lady never tells.”
The other women laughed.
Renna sucked in all the air around her and tried to focus on her book.
Jenica added to the pile of cards on the table. “I think Albion is treating us all very well. There are so many good-looking men to choose from.”
“Have you met Officer Vestry? He’s so dreamy!” Lizanne said.
Sheridan kept her eyes on her cards as she spoke. “Yes, very handsome!”
“Or what about Officer Doman?” Lizanne paused to speak before picking up a card from the pile.
“Lizanne.” Jenica looked as if she were disgusted. “You’re just naming every man you’ve met.”
“I would stay away from Officer Doman. Ezra said he’s trouble.” Seran placed another card on the table.
Ezra said?
Trev hadn’t told Renna that.
“Officer Doman is challenging him for the crown.” Seran pushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. “I didn’t think much about it, but Ezra said he has a lot of followers. Definitely stay away from him, or else it might look like we’re favoring the competition.”
Jenica snickered. “Maybe we should send him back to New Hope with Renna then.”
The women giggled.
“You’d do that for Seran, wouldn’t you, Renna?” Jenica laughed over her shoulder.
Renna kept her eyes down on her book, pretending she hadn’t heard them.
Seran spoke over her cards. “That’s not necessary. Renna is free to marry whomever she wants.”
Not true at all.
Renna kept her face expressionless as she stared at her book but was grateful for Seran’s defense.
Sheridan turned toward Queen Mariele. “May I ask how the negotiations are going with the marriage treaty?”
The queen looked up from her letter. “There are a few details left to sort out about trade. Once those issues are agreed upon, the document will be drawn up for review by King Carver, myself, and King Bryant’s advisors.”
Renna had heard about these negotiations for years. The vital New Hope military, access to New Hope ports, trade considerations in Albion, and the exchange of votes at the Council of Essentials, promises that if someone voted for this, someone else would vote for that.
Whatever happened to voting for something not because you were in an alliance, but because it was the right thing to do?
Her mother continued, “I imagine we’re only a few days away from sign
ing.”
Sheridan nodded in an official way as if she understood all the ins and outs of the agreement. “It’s good to have those things taken care of before the ceremony.”
“Seran, let’s talk about your wedding,” Lizanne said with excitement. “I want to hear every detail of the plans so far.”
Renna definitely didn’t want to hear every detail. She stood to leave.
“Leaving so early, Renna?” Jenica smiled wide and Renna’s stomach soured.
“It looks like it.” She wanted to say something catty but managed to suppress the urge.
Renna left the ladies behind, taking the side stairs up to her room. She was finally getting the layout of this enormous place. She pushed the door open to her room to see Nora’s small frame standing there all giddy.
“Miss Renna, a secret admirer came to visit.” She walked over to the bed and pointed at a small box on top of her pillow.
“A secret admirer?” Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Who?”
“I don’t know. I was getting fresh towels. I’m sure it says on the note.”
Renna reached for the paper and unfolded it.
Renna,
Normally, I would compliment you on how beautiful you looked tonight at dinner. I would tell you how I wished you were sitting next to me, conjuring up one of your pretend stories, or how I wish I could spend time with you again just to see what crazy thing you’ll do or say next. Normally, I would say those things to you, but I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to flirt with you—I promised I wouldn’t.
Tybolt
Renna laughed as she reached for the box and opened it. Inside were four individually wrapped squares of chocolate.
21
Trev
Trev waited at the large circular table in the high ruler’s room for his weekly meeting to start. The meeting consisted of the king and the six high rulers from each province in Albion, and the commander of the army, Fenton Pryer. Trev and Drake attended whenever possible, preparing for their future roles if the upcoming election went according to plan.
Alba Folly and Levi Karda, the two longest-ruling high rulers, sat across the table from Trev, whispering. Their heads bent together like they were talking about something serious, but whatever it was, they clearly didn’t feel inclined to include Trev.
Trev studied the dark stain of the table in front of him. He thought about getting himself a cup of water, but the pitcher was on a side table across the room, closer to the two men. He didn’t want it to look like he was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Tell me it isn’t true,” Drake said in a hushed voice, lowering his body down in the seat next to Trev.
“I’m assuming you heard about the shooting competition between Renna and me,” Trev responded coolly.
“Yes!” Drake snarled. “And I can’t believe it.”
“Which part?” Trev asked. “The part where she beat me or—”
“All of it!” Drake eyed the two men across from them, whispering so only Trev could hear. “You’re supposed to spend time with Seran, your fiancée. Not her sister.” Drake rubbed his forehead in disgust. “It doesn’t make Renna look good either.”
Trev leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “I disagree. She looked very good.”
Renna had a way of looking good no matter what she was doing.
“But that’s exactly my point. You can’t have everyone see you alone with Renna. You’re terrible at hiding your feelings for her.”
Maxwell Doman entered, followed by the king and Fenton Pryer, forcing Drake to pause their conversation. “Never mind,” he hissed. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Our men still haven’t located the missing girls from Axville, and my patience is growing thin. King Adler must be stopped!” King Carver barked, opening the meeting.
“With all due respect, sir, we are unsure if King Adler had any knowledge of the Axville attack,” Commander Pryer said.
“His hands are in everything!” his father yelled as he stood abruptly and paced back and forth. Everyone watched in silence as he picked up the pitcher of water and slammed it against the wall.
“Let’s strike back,” Levi Karda interjected. He was the high ruler over Axville and had an additional reason to be upset by the attack. “When word gets out all over Albion about what happened, the people will want justice for the taken daughters of Axville.”
“I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that,” the commander said. “During the election tour, Prince Ezra and Officer Vestry sent two men undercover to Tolsten to gather intel specifically on weapons. Those two men returned yesterday.”
Trev sat up. “Why wasn’t I told? This was my mission.”
His father waved him off. “You have more important things to worry about with the princess. Your men gave Fenton and me a full report.”
Trev exchanged an irritated look with Drake. He should have known his father would take over.
“Were they successful?” Drake pressed.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Commander Pryer gave the king a sharp look before continuing. “It’s exactly as we feared. Tolsten has been manufacturing sophisticated weapons. Our spies aren’t exactly sure what the weapons are designed to do. They appear to be some sort of air missile.”
“What is King Adler thinking? Did he really think all the other countries wouldn’t find out? Wouldn’t try to stop him? He’s directly violating the Essentials treaty,” Levi Karda said.
“I don’t think any other country could stop Adler at this point. His missiles give him the upper hand,” Niles Ticking added. He was a newer high ruler, only ten or so years older than Trev.
Maxwell Doman lowered his voice, adding, “Maybe it’s time we take more drastic measures.”
“What do you have in mind?” King Carver asked.
Maxwell looked at the other men around the table. “We should attack when they least expect. Like during the wedding.”
Trev laughed incredulously. “You can’t be serious. We haven’t even signed the marriage treaty yet, and you want to pull New Hope into an armed conflict on the wedding day? Use their military without even bothering to ask for their consent?”
“Besides,” Alba Folly added, “according to the marriage treaty, New Hope has pledged their military backing for defense purposes only. Taking this step makes us the aggressors.”
“This is defense,” Levi Karda insisted. “It’s a justified reaction to Tolsten’s aggression. They crossed our borders and took our people hostage. Hitting them back now will deter future harassment.”
“A full-on military engagement is not deterrence, Levi,” Alba said, his face red. “That’s called war, and we need New Hope’s consent to even think of declaring it. Without their support, Tolsten will crush us.”
“And, if our spies are correct, Tolsten could simply use their cache of illegal weapons to blow us off the map,” another high ruler, Joss Oviatt, inserted. “Even with New Hope’s support, declaring outright war would be suicide.”
King Carver gave a short, frustrated sigh and glanced around the table. “Do we have any better ideas?”
Suddenly, a voice said simply, “Kill King Adler.”
The room went silent as each high ruler turned to stare at Maxwell Doman, who stared back with serene calmness.
Trev broke the stunned silence first, enunciating slowly. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Assassination!” Alba choked. “And just how do you expect us to do that?”
“Impossible!” Niles huffed across the room.
“Do you want to start another Desolation?” Sebban Challis spoke up. He was the one high ruler that usually kept to himself.
Maxwell answered plainly. “We can stage it to look like an assassination from agitators within Tolsten—an inside job that can’t be traced back to Albion.”
The hungry gleam in his father’s eyes knotted Trev’s stomach.
King Carver sat back down in his chair and gestu
red to the commander. “Fenton? What do you think? Could we pull this off?”
Trev had to shut this down immediately. “We can’t just kill the leader of another kingdom. It doesn’t reflect what our country believes in. What we believe in.”
“Albion believes what I tell them to believe,” the king snapped back.
Trev shook his head. It wasn’t the first time he doubted whether his father had the people of Albion’s best interests at heart. Increasingly, it seemed like winning this twisted game against the king of Tolsten was all his father cared about. Trev tried again. “Father, this could set a terrifying precedent. If we assassinate a world leader, what’s to stop others from doing the same thing to us?”
“To Maxwell’s point, though,” Commander Pryer interrupted, his eyes thoughtful, “no one will see our hand in it if we can frame local insurgents. Albion will be safe.”
Trev’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Commander, are you honestly suggesting that we commit a murder and then allow innocent men and women to take the fall for it?”
“They’re hardly innocent if they’re rebelling against their king.” Pryer sniffed. He turned to King Carver and continued. “To answer your question, Your Majesty, I believe it could be done with careful planning.”
“You’re wrong if you believe no one will ever find out,” Niles Ticking scoffed.
“Father, this is madness.” Trev looked around the table at the other high rulers, hoping to find other allies. “Do you all agree with this?”
“No,” Alba said firmly, taking off his glasses and setting them on the papers in front of him. “Prince Ezra is right. This is not a can of worms we want to open. Even if we assassinate Adler, it solves nothing concerning the illegal weapons. There is still the possibility that the assassination starts a war.”
“You act like we’re the ones starting a war. Have you forgotten Tolsten’s attacks on us year after year?” The king’s anger was starting to rise again. “Tolsten’s attack on Axville! I will no longer stand by and watch Adler have his way with our country. This war between us has been ongoing, and we will finish it.”
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