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CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Before leaving, Ronin waited until Edna fell asleep in his arms. He didn't want to startle her to sleep, so he carefully placed her head on a pillow and stared at her sleeping form for a few seconds. He couldn't believe he was marrying her. As he stared at her, he knew all his fantasieswould come true. He kissed her on the cheek before tiptoeing to the open window.
He sat quickly atop the horse and rode through the silent night with only one thought. He knew that marrying in secret would be difficult because he was the heir to the lairdship, but he couldn't risk his mother finding out until he was ready to tell her. He needed someone else on his side, and there was only one person who could help him: Lachlan.
He told her today that Lachlan was his best friend as a child, but he knew he was more than that — he was a brother. He knew no one else would support him in this difficult task. He rode quickly to the castle, knowing that his friend was in the room next to him. He hadn't been able to meet him today due to his hectic schedule.
Ronin entered the castle quietly and climbed the stairs to his bedchamber. He knocked softly ashe noticed a faint light under the door of the adjoining bedchamber. Soon after, Lachlan opened the door and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Where have ye been, Ronin?” he sounded troubled.
“The investigation had me knee deep in mud,” Ronin answered; walking inside the bedchamber and crashing on his bed.
“Mara has been asking about ye,” Lachlan told him.
“What was mother saying?”
“She was worried about where ye were spending yer time. I told her ye were busy with the investigation so she calmed down a little. I ken ye could have been spending yer time elsewhere as well,” Lachlan said with an accusatory tone. Ronin kept his face neutral, not wanting his guilt to be betrayed through his expression. He couldn’t let him know so soon.
“Ah, my own friend does not trust me! The pain of loneliness,” Ronin said dramatically and Lachlan rolled his eyes before coming to sit beside him on the bed.
“I am serious here, Ronin. The situation in the clan isnae going well with a killer on the loose. Ye cannae just go anywhere all alone. Yer life could be in danger now that everyone kens ye have returned,” he warned.
"I wish that killer had confronted me. The entire investigation would havebeenunnecessary thenbecause I would have killed the bastard," Ronin said in amenacingly cold tone.
“Don’t be absurd, Ronin. I do nae ken why ye are so intent on attracting trouble since the moment ye came back. Ye fought with Bryce and now ye are getting yerself involved in this investigation for nae reason at all.”
At the mention of Bryce’s name, his mind went back to Edna and the more important matter at hand. He knew that Lachlan was vehemently opposed to this match and would require mounds of persuasion to agree to it. Ronin, on the other hand, was well aware that he was his only hope. To carry out his plan, he needed his friend by his side.
“Ronin, what are ye thinking?” Lachlan questioned; loudly clicking his fingers in front of Ronin’s face to bring him out of his reverie.
“Oh, nothing,” he said casually; brushing aside the matter. He couldn't think of a way to mention the subject. His friend would be shocked to learn that hehad decided to marry a girl he had just met, and that the girl also belonged to the enemy family. The situation seemed surreal to him toobut he knew what he felt for herwas truthful and came from the heart.
It wasn't a fleeting romance driven solely by attraction. True, he loved her, but he also respected her. He had found his soul mate in her. Even though he had only known her for a short time, he had no doubt that they were meant for each other. Ronin believed in fate and that some matches were made in heaven. Edna had already been created and chosen for his heart.
“Are ye even listening to me, Ronin?” Lachlan sounded annoyed.
“I am. I am sorry, I am just exhausted,” Ronin said; laying down on the bed once again and releasing a loud sigh.
“I ken, mate, but there is another thing that I want ye tae ken,” Lachlan said hesitantly. Ronin immediately turned towards him.
“What is it?” Ronin asked at once. He didn’t know if he had the emotional capacity to tackle yet another problem but he seemed to have no choice.
“It is about Mara.”
“I am listening.”
"Well, when I came home a few hours ago, I saw a cloaked man. He moved through the corridor like a shadow, exiting Mara's bedchamber. I haveseen him before. I never asked herabout it because it was not my place but you are her son and have the authority to look into the matter."
Ronin had no idea what to make of the information. He knew his friend wasn't lying to him, and he would never lie about such a sensitive subject. He was aware that the situation was serious and that it needed to be handled with caution. He couldn't risk giving herthe impression that he distrusted her and ruining their relationship after he had only recently returned home.
“I think I will have to talk to mother about this then,” Ronin said. He knew he needed to settle a lot of things but the most important thing right now was Edna. He stood up from his position on the bed and began pacing around as Lachlan looked on.
“Now tell me what ye came to talk about in the first place,” Lachlan said; settling into a more relaxed position.
“I need your help with something,” Ronin started.
“Anything for ye.”
