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?"

Irene certainly

like you?"

or less!" Zachary shrugged, before adding, "Isaac doesn't because he's not like most men. He has

snorted. "You're either covering up for him or covering up for yourself with the last

a while since you've been with

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

and

stopped her. "Why did you call

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

it safe there?" he

saying that the crisis

make the

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 items and clothing. Since there was no furniture at all, they just

even easier there since Pierre would help with everything. Once they returned, Tommy was running around happily in the courtyard, since he really preferred it here—it was so huge, and he had plenty of places to

shoot, since he had seen Eagle hit a leaf with a pebble before and

asked, leveling his black eyes on him—things had certainly been cordial between them after they pranked Zachary

Tommy nodded.

to

Tommy asked, rearing his little