The plea was quiet—and yet, it held the force of an invisible army, destroying his defences.She already knew he would never let her go alone.
It was a terrible idea to get involved with any of this.He didn’t mind helping the MacEgans find Liam, but taking Mairead away from Laochre wasn’t wise.
‘There are dozens of others who would gladly help you,’ he answered.‘Including my brother.’
‘But you’re the only one who doesn’t want to marry me,’ she said.‘It’s safer with you.’
Her words struck a blow he hadn’t anticipated, and hefelt compelled to respond.‘Why would you ever believe I’m safe?’
To underscore his words, he drew her close and grasped her hips.‘I may not be able to wed you…but it doesn’t mean I don’t crave your hands on me, Mairead.’He moved one hand up to her hair, threading it within the strands.
She appeared startled at his words and bit her lower lip as she considered it.‘Oh.’
Indeed.Mairead needed to fully understand exactly how bad this idea was.
‘Will you at least escort me while I go and speak with my father?’She rested her hand on top of his and took it.
‘For now,’ he responded.Balor followed her into the hall but then placed her behind him for protection as they continued.If someone had taken her brother, then the culprit was likely still here.
He had no desire to be tangled up in any of this.Mairead was far safer remaining here, and he could never escort a king’s daughter alone.Her father had over a hundred men, all better suited to protecting her.King Patrick’s brothers and the MacEgan armies were enough to rival King John’s.
But then Balor started to wonder if maybe that was why she wanted him to escort her.If she disappeared without choosing a suitor, Mairead was right—it disrupted any plans the Normans might have to claim the throne through her.
It was a quiet rebellion, one that would not implicate her father.He was starting to understand her reasoning—and it did make sense.But he still wasn’t certain he would play any part in it.
‘We’ll go down this passageway and to the left,’ she said.‘My family will likely be in the solar right now.’
She started to move ahead of him, but Balor kept herguarded and opened the door for her.A serving maid had just delivered food and a flagon of wine before she retreated to stand against the wall, her head lowered in deference.
Inside the solar, Balor saw King Patrick, Queen Isabel, and a dark-haired woman he recognized as Liam’s wife, Adriana.The woman’s eyes were reddened from weeping, and Mairead rushed forward to embrace her.
‘Marcas told us about Liam.’She drew back from Adriana and turned to her father.‘We need to delay choosing a new king until he’s found.’
‘I agree.’But King Patrick’s voice was weary as he leaned back in his chair.The others stared at Balor in a silent reminder that he didn’t belong.It was nothing new, and he strongly considered leaving, but Mairead’s silent plea made him stay.Instead, he backed against the door and waited.
The king turned in his direction.‘Why is this man here, Mairead?’
She stood and walked to Balor’s side.‘Because he has agreed to be my protector and escort.’
Agreedwas a strong word.More like manipulated or coerced, Balor thought.But neither did he deny it.He couldn’t argue that he wouldn’t mind spending more time alone with Mairead—especially after she’d kissed him again.Yet, he hadn’t made a decision on what to do.
‘Your escortwhere?’Queen Isabel sent them both a pointed look.
Mairead folded her hands and regarded each of them.‘It’s not safe for me here at Laochre anymore.I thought I could travel west to stay with one of my uncles until Liam is found and crowned king.’She squared her shoulders and added, ‘Until then, I will delay choosing a suitor.’
Balor could see them considering her words.Her fatherlikely wanted to argue that Laochre Castle was the safest place for her…and yet, his own son had been taken.
He decided to stop being invisible and start asking questions.‘When did your husband go missing?’he asked Adriana.
The dark-haired woman glanced at the others.‘Last night.Liam went to pray at chapel, and he didn’t come back to our chamber.’She stood and held her arms.‘When I awoke this morn, I was alone.I spent all day searching, and no one has seen him.’
King Patrick sobered.‘Why didn’t you tell me this sooner, Adriana?’
Adriana’s face turned crimson.‘We—we argued last night.I thought he wanted some time alone.’
The king turned to his wife and took her hand.‘I’ve already begun sending groups of men to search.We won’t stop until he’s found.I swear it.’
But Balor had his doubts.Someone must have seen thetánaistebeing captured.Liam wasn’t helpless or unable to fight.He had a reputation as a warrior, just like his father.Balor glanced over at the serving girl, who had not moved from her position by the wall.It made him wonder whether the other servants had seen anything.
