‘But you are close to your brother?’she ventured.
He inclined his head.‘Kenneth is a good lad and eager to please.He’ll make a good chieftain one day.’
Even so, she already knew it was unlikely that she would marry someone like Kenneth.Not when her father had already arranged potential alliances with Norman noblemen, like Lord Lowell.
But she had no intention of revealing that.‘I will consider your brother, just as I will all the others,’ she said.‘There will be a banquet tonight and dancing.’A mischievous thought caught her, and she asked, ‘Will you be there?’
‘I don’t dance unless it’s with a weapon.’His voice held a warning, but Mairead ignored it.
‘You eat, don’t you?’She took a step back and said, ‘It’s the least I can do for you after you saved my life.’
He didn’t argue, and she moved towards the edge of the tower, staring out at the people below.She ought to rejoin her family inside—and yet, she wanted to spend more time here, with Balor.Part of her wished she hadn’t drawn a blade on him—otherwise, he might have kissed her again.Her skin tightened at the thought.
A few moments later, he asked, ‘After the attack…did your cousin live?’
She turned back and realized that he didn’t know.‘Yes.My cousin has always been an exceptional fighter, thanks to her training.’Then she added, ‘Velaria married Brian of Penrith, shortly afterward.’
He took a step closer and admitted, ‘I’m glad she survived.’
She nodded and started to leave when he suddenly caught her hand in his.Before she could pull away, he pointed towards a group of soldiers.‘I know you are going to choose a suitor in the next few days.But before you do, consider how many Normans are here and why.’
‘I know why they are here,’ she answered.‘Many accompanied King John when he traveled north a few weeks ago.’
She kept her voice calm but couldn’t suppress the chill that rose over her skin as she remembered the Normans who had attacked her and Velaria.One of the men had spoken about the king’s arrival.And although those men had only been scouts, preparing the way for King John, she knew the monarch hadn’t come to Ireland simply to visit.
Balor seemed to predict her next words when he continued, ‘King John came to secure his power among the Irish kings.And a marriage between you and one of his noblemen would only strengthen it.’
‘Maybe.’She didn’t understand what he was implying.‘But if I choose a Norman husband, I’ll return home with him to England.’
Balor’s expression turned thoughtful.‘Your father is getting old.He won’t be king for much longer.’
‘And my brother, Liam, will take his place,’ she finished.‘He was chosen as thetánaiste, and he’s been ready to take the throne all his life.What of it?’
‘Kings are chosen,’ he said.‘Had you considered that some of your suitors might be here because they intend to depose both your father and brother?’
She shook her head.‘That’s not possible.The MacEgan people would never choose aLochlannachas king.They can elect anyone related to our family.’
‘But what better way for a Norman to secure power than to wed the king’s daughter?He would be family then, and able to take the throne.’
‘They would never do such a thing,’ she argued.‘I have plenty of family members who are Normans, including my mother.If there was anything to be concerned about, they would tell me.My father introduced me to a Norman earl today and—’ Her words broke off as she suddenly wondered whether it had been her father’s choice—or King John’s command.
‘How many Irishmen, besides my brother, are here?’Balor asked quietly.‘Among those who want to wed you.’
‘There are several,’ she started to say, but truthfully she didn’t know.‘I still don’t see why it matters whether they are Irish or Norman.’
His hand tightened on hers, making her aware that she hadn’t pulled away the way she should have.
‘Just ask yourself if they are here for you…or for your father’s kingdom.’Then he released her hand and walked away.
Chapter Three
Balor was careful to remain in the shadows at Laochre Castle.He’d been here on several occasions, ever since he’d returned from England and mostly when he was trying to avoid his own tribe.
A few months ago, he’d competed among the others on the night of Bealtaine to become the Horned One, even though he’d known he wouldn’t win the honour.It had simply been a moment to fight and pit himself against some of the strongest warriors in Éireann.
Fighting gave him a purpose, a way of releasing the years of resentment and hatred.It closed off his emotions in a way that drowned out any feelings of emptiness.
In the next few days, Mairead would choose a husband.It was the purpose of thisaenach, and he’d wanted to bring Kenneth—even knowing that his brother was an unlikely match.
