The Runaway Groom

Once Irene opened the door, she found Zachary tiptoeing back to her room.

She called out to him, "Where have you been?"

Zachary turned around and smiled. "Nowhere."

“Did anyone tell you that I called you?" Irene asked him.

An unnatural reaction appeared on Zachary's face, and he somehow looked awkward. "You called me?"

"Yes I did," Irene told him with no uncertainty, "and it was a woman who answered, saying you were taking a shower. I told her to tell you to call me back when you're done. She didn't tell you, did she?"

Zachary chuckled. "Nope, she didn't.”

"Are you serious about her?" Irene asked her.

Zachary walked over and sat on the couch. "What do you mean?" "The woman who answered my call," Irene said.

Zachary appeared nonchalant. "She's just a woman. What's with the seriousness? Just need to satisfy my physical needs."

Irene frowned, speechless. "Giving up on yourself, are you?"

“No, but I'm no saint who's above worldly needs," Zachary said seriously. "Is it really so terrible, sleeping with one?"

sleeping around?! Irene certainly found

all men like

less!" Zachary shrugged, before adding, "Isaac doesn't because he's not like

snorted. "You're either covering up for him or covering

been with him,” Zachary said. "Don’t you know

do what you will!" She got up, ready to

late, and she

her. "Why did

forgotten? Turning back toward Zachary, she said, "We're moving back to the castle.

it safe there?" he

called me, saying that the

I'll make the

next day, Zachary worked on helping Irene and the others move. They did not bring much over when they came and therefore did not have much to carry back, aside from personal

easier there since Pierre would help with everything. Once they returned, Tommy was running around happily in the courtyard, since he really preferred

Eagle teach him how to shoot, since he had seen Eagle

black eyes on him—things had certainly been cordial between them after

Tommy nodded.

to get some

pebble?" Tommy asked, rearing his little head. "No—you're