"Lots of people take gap years," he informed her.
"Between high school and university, to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Your future is already set."
He was well aware. Tor's future had been set before his birth. So, he wanted one year where he could travel and experience life as a man and not a prince, at least not in every aspect. That did not make him irresponsible.
He'd hoped to spend a good part of that year traveling with Blythe.
What a fool he was. Maybe he was the callow youth she seemed to think, because looking at those plans now, he realized he'd been daydreaming.
She might be sexually attracted to him, but just like the rest of the world, she only saw who she thought he was. And that person wasn't worth risking anything for.
His pride smarting, Tor pulled all emotion behind the armor he'd erected long ago to deal with loss he had no control over.
Straightening his shoulders, he said, "We are not friends."
Blythe bit her lip, but then her own expression hardened. "No, we are not. I am Janice's friend, not yours."
Tor nodded. "Then, in future, I would prefer you address me as Your Highness, or Prince Tor."
He sounded like an arrogant prig, but Tor did not care. Blythe had misjudged him because she had not cared to get to know him or learn about him at all.
She did not see him as a man, but only as a prince; so, she could address him as such.
He had misjudged her attraction to him as the potential for something more. He would never make that same mistake again.
Lesson learned.
"If that's the way you want it, Your Highness."
"Miss Whitney-Jones." He inclined his head in dismissal.