*Kent*

I mull over the conversation that Alexia abruptly ended. She was rude.

But she was also honest.

And if I am being honest with myself, the two of us never really got along. Moreover, after what happened between her and Ricky, taken from what I heard from her father, this was kind of inevitable.

It's just another curveball. First Ethan, and now this.

I thought I had a handle on my life. I thought I knew what comes next. Now I have no idea what comes next.

I know I must talk to my father. I feel like he will be more understanding than Alexia's father.

But first, the right thing to do is to smooth things out with Alexia, because right now I'm upset, and so is she.

***

*Eva*

"So you're the friend," the guy Alexia left behind says.

"What?"

"Alexia mentioned you."

"Oh."

"I'm Tanner."

"Eva."

Neither of us seems to know what to say after that, and I'm saved when a small brown puppy comes bounding toward me. I bend down and study its sweet brown eyes. I reach out to touch its soft fur but realize I should ask the owner first.

"Marcus?"

"Hey, Eva."

"May I...?" I point to the dog.

"Of course."

I put my hand out so the dog can sniff me, and it licks me with its little pink tongue. My heart melts.

"His name is Biscuit."

As I pet Biscuit, Marcus and Tanner get acquainted.

"Do you want to hang out?" Tanner asks him. "You seem like a cool guy."

"Sure." Marcus shrugs. "Works for me."

"Thanks. To be honest I'm pretty bored."

They both laugh.

Marcus bends down and hooks a leash through Biscuits' collar.

"Do you want to come with us?" Marcus says.

"I appreciate it. But it's best if I stay here."

"See you around."

I give Biscuit one last scratch behind the ear. "See you."

***

*Alexia*

I try to walk as fast as I can back to where we left Eva and Tanner. My hands clenching and unclenching, fire-heated in my veins. I'm trying so hard not to release an inferno right now.

"Alexia, wait!"

Now I'm running, trying to get away. But he grabs ahold of my arm, freezing me in place.

I glare at him. "What now Kent?"

His eyes meet mine, somewhat sad. "I wanted to apologize."

"For what?"

"For hurting you." Like duh. "As a prince, I know exactly how you feel. Always trying to keep up your reputation. Showing everyone that you can — that you will make a good king. Believe me, it's not easy."

I keep his gaze. "Then if you understand so well, why are you here trying to drag me back to that kind of life?" I gesture to the vast ocean and the sandy beach around us. "Here, I'm free."

"A betrothal is a betrothal," he says. "Our marriage is still set in stone."

Pushing off his hand which is still holding onto my arm, I tell him, "Then let's end it. Let's destroy that stone."

"It's not that simple."

"All we have to do is talk to our fathers, set things straight. We're both on the same page here, right? We don't want this marriage to happen."

"You're father is quite a difficult person to negotiate with. No offense."

I smile at him. "None taken. I'm well aware that my father is tough."

"So then, how do you plan on persuading him?"

"I'm not."

Kent raises his eyebrows in surprise and I quickly continue, "You're going to talk to your father and then your father is going to do the persuading for us."

"Ok, I was actually planning on speaking to my father."

"Good." I put out my hand and he shakes it. "Then it is settled."

"Yes, I believe so."

We both smile and side by side head back to where Eva awaits.