Kieron felt a smile spreading across his face. It was good to smile again. And it was good to know that Alys
was. . safe.
"Highness…"
"Don't 'Highness' me!"
"Alys, then. Forgive me. I could not have known you. After all it has been eight years.. "
"And there have been a hundred wenches. ." mimicked the girl angrily.
Kieron grinned. "There really haven't been that many. I boasted."
"Any would be too many!"
"You haven't changed, Alys, except that you…"
"Have grown so? Spare me that!" She glared at him, eyes flaming in the shadows. Then suddenly she was laughing again, a silvery laugh that hung like a bright thread in the soft tapestry of night sounds. "Oh, Kieron, It ts good to see you again!"