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

like you?"

"Isaac doesn't because he's

either covering up for him or covering

been a while since you've been with

Irene had faith in Isaac. "Just do what you will!" She got up, ready

and

stopped her. "Why did you call

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

safe there?"

called me, saying that

I'll make

and therefore did not have much to carry back, aside

in the courtyard, since he really preferred it here—it was so

had seen Eagle hit a leaf with a pebble before and was

his black eyes on him—things had certainly been cordial between

Tommy nodded.

said, "We'll need to get some training

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