Facing forward, I curtseyed as Prince Rylan approached me. Sir Kynes dropped into a bow behind me. The prince nodded to him before turning his attention to me. He looked different than when he left. The months that he spent in the southern sun had darkened his skin, turning it a golden brown. It made his eyes appear to be glowing, like I was truly looking into the ocean. Or maybe I was imagining it.
"Welcome home, Prince Rylan," I greeted, brushing a strand of my hair out of my eyes. "It has been quite a long time since we last saw each other."
"Yes, allow me to apologize for not sending more letters," he replied, smiling. "I thought it may be a waste of my time to send you letters you might just burn."
I shook my head. "Not at all. Although an unforeseeable incident led to you
