"It's not meant to be an insult." That much he would say was true of Niall. He didn't mean it to be an insult. "I'm difficult. Get into trouble. You shouldn't take it as an insult. If anyone should, it's me. What father has to pay for his son to have friends. I have money and influence a seat of power in a royal family and he has to pay for friendship."

Ronan is positive that Declan had encouraged it, pushed the idea on his parents.

"I don't want you to spend time with me unless it's what you want. I don't want friends that are paid for. I still think you should take what he offered because you deserve it. You passed all of his tests and entertained the idea of being paid to be my friend."

They were walking back through the woods they way they had come on the horse. He glanced at Adam.

"Can I walk you home?"