‘Could we—walk outside for a little while?’she asked.‘I don’t want to go back to my chamber just yet.’
Balor gave a nod, and they walked together in silence down the narrow stairs that led to the Great Chamber.Then he guided her through the doors and outside to the inner bailey.Night had descended over the castle, and the walls were illuminated every few paces by flaming torches set into iron sconces on the stone walls.
On the far side, Mairead saw a gathering of Norman soldiers talking in low voices.She exchanged a glance with Balor, who seemed to read her thoughts, and escorted her towards a staircase that led up to the parapets.
She was grateful for the dark cloak and hood that hid her features.
‘Do you think they know anything about my brother?’she asked.
He took her hand in his.‘Let’s find out what we can.’
They walked up the steps to the parapets, keeping their movements slow as they drew closer to the soldiers.Mairead brought him inside the first tower where he’d nearly stolen a kiss the last time.Balor pressed her back while he studied the soldiers.Then he guided her back out to the parapets, near the second tower.Just as they reached it, a smaller group of men broke away from the larger group.
They froze in place, not saying a word.
‘We need to bring him to England,’ one of the men was saying.
Were they talking about Liam?Mairead gripped Balor’s hand in the darkness as she tried to listen to the men.Hishand covered hers, his thumb rubbing her knuckle lightly.She tried not to think of how he was making her feel right now.Safe.Comforted.And she didn’t know what to make of those feelings.
‘I know,’ the other Norman answered, ‘but he won’t go willingly.His home is here.’
‘No, but he won’t have a choice,’ the first continued.‘You know our orders.’
A cold chill spiraled through her at their words.Who were they talking about?Was it King John’s orders?
Their voices faded away as they continued walking.Balor led her inside the closest tower, and she leaned against the wall.
‘What do you want to do?’he asked.‘Should I escort you back to your chamber?’
She thought about it, turning it over in her mind.‘The threat is already here, inside our walls.’
‘It is, yes.’He paused, letting her make the decision.
She already knew her father would send men after her if she went too far.But her uncle Bevan’s lands were not far away.They could spend the night there, and she could claim that she’d gone to visit her cousin Alanna.If she sent word to her father in the morning, he wouldn’t be quite so angry.
‘I want to leave,’ she said at last.‘My uncle lives at Rionallís, and I know he and his men will protect us.It’s a smaller castle, and Uncle Bevan knows every man.’She took a breath and added, ‘I…would like you to escort me there tonight, if you’re willing.’
Balor turned to face her.In his eyes, she saw a sudden flare of interest.But he ventured, ‘Against your father’s wishes?’
Her expression turned troubled.‘It might be against myfather’s wishes, yes,’ she admitted.‘But even if I told him what we just overheard, he probably wouldn’t believe me.’
‘And you’re not afraid to travel alone with me?’he pressed again.‘Because I’m not a man you would ever marry?’
‘N-no.You’re not,’ she blurted out.But the moment she said the words, she regretted it.‘It’s not that I don’t think you’re handsome or the sort of man any woman would want—’
His expression turned wry.‘I know my place, Lady Mairead.And it’s not at your side.’Balor lifted her hand to his mouth in a mocking kiss.And yet, the slightest touch of his lips made her skin burn with the desire for more.
She wanted to taste his wickedness, to cast aside all the reasons why it was wrong.Because a man like Balor Ó Phelan would know how to give a woman pleasure in the dark.Even being so near to him made her crave his touch.
‘Will you come with me?’she whispered.
He hesitated for a moment, his blue eyes shadowed in the torchlight.She understood that she was using him, and it wasn’t fair.But everyone else within these gates would tell her no.
‘I will find a way to reward you,’ she offered.‘I have jewels or gold, or—’
‘I don’t want your coins.’He lifted her hand to his face, and beneath her palm, she felt his bristled cheek.She saw a faint scar by his temple and stroked it with her thumb.
He closed his eyes, drinking in her touch.She wondered if anyone had ever touched him with affection, for he seemed hungry for it.Yet, when her fingers slid into his hair, Balor pulled back.
