Chapter 95

Ronan's POV

By morning, the three men who had attacked the refuge were still alive, the kitchen window was boarded over, and my order had left a bruise on a stranger's knees. I had spent the night thinking about the man dropping when I wanted him away from Mara. He had been carrying a knife. I could tell myself the order saved her. The relief I felt when his body obeyed was harder to account for.

Mara came downstairs wearing the coat I had lent her. She had slept poorly. She set a basin of warm water and a small packet of Maeve's salve on the table, then looked toward the storeroom.

“The one with the bad knee is awake,” she said. “He asked whether you meant to make him kneel again.”

“I didn't know he was awake.”

“That's not an answer I can take him.”

S