Chapter 97

Mara's POV

The outer door stayed open long enough for snow to gather along the threshold. Ronan looked at it three times while we brought fresh water to the bound prisoners in the storeroom, but he didn't shut it until I told him I was cold.

“That was a request,” I said as he crossed the hall.

“I recognized it.” He set his shoulder against the warped wood and pushed. “I even considered refusing.”

“You would have been unbearable.”

“I’m told it’s one of my most reliable qualities.”

The door settled against its frame. Its iron bolts lay on the floor where the attackers had wrenched them free, and our brief ease went with them. At the river, one fingertip against my palm had carried stay into my body. He took his hand away as soon as he felt it, but I reme