Mairead caught her Aunt Genevieve by the arm and murmured in her ear, ‘Will you please make sure that Balor also has a place of his own to sleep?After all he did to bring me here safely, I would like him to be comfortable.’
Her aunt kept her voice low and whispered back, ‘He means something to you.Doesn’t he?’
Mairead gave a slight nod.‘I just…want to give something back.For tonight, at least.’Her cheeks burned, but she added, ‘Do not worry.I know my duty.’
Her aunt’s eyes softened.‘He could take Cavan’s chamber for the night, since he no longer dwells with us.’
‘Take us there,’ she said.With a slight smile, Mairead added, ‘He won’t agree unless we bring him there first.’
Genevieve walked down to the end of the hall and opened the door.‘Here we are.’Then she leaned in and whispered to Mairead, ‘Your chamber is next to his.’With a conspiratorial smile, she walked away and left them alone.
Which made her wonder if her aunt had guessed her wayward feelings.
Mairead ignored her burning cheeks and gestured for Balor to enter.‘You’ll stay here tonight.’
His expression turned confused.‘I’ve no need of my own chamber.I can sleep on the floor with the rest of the guards.’
She ignored him and took him by the hand, bringing him inside.The brazier wasn’t lit yet, and she turned to him.‘Will you light this, please?’
Before he could argue again, she closed the door.‘You helped me escape my father’s castle and protected me last night.At least allow me to repay you with a bed of your own.’
He stared at her as if he couldn’t imagine why she would offer this to him.But he said nothing and found flint and his dagger, lining up the tinder and peat, before striking a spark and coaxing a flame to light.
Once the brazier was lit, he turned back to her.‘Why are you doing this, Mairead?’
His demand made her question the decision.‘I…only wanted you to be comfortable while you are here.’
He kept his distance, his blue eyes piercing.‘Is that the truth?Or are you trying to imagine I’m like the earl or your other suitors?’He folded his arms across his chest.‘I don’t need your pity, Mairead.’
But that wasn’t it at all.Being here with this man evoked such long-forgotten feelings.He had defended her more than once, and she was starting to rely on him.Part of her didn’t want him to leave—and she didn’t understand what that meant.
‘I don’t pity you,’ she said softly, taking a step towards him.‘It was never that.’
He stood his ground.‘I didn’t come to Laochre to compete for your hand,’ he said.‘I know you’re going to marry a nobleman like Lowell, not someone like me.I know my place.’
‘No, you don’t.’Her own words surprised her, but they were true.‘A man who knows his place never would have come with me here.If anything, I think you don’t know what you’re capable of.’She moved in closer.‘Who you could become if you dared to reach for it.’
His face hardened, and he stood before her, framing her face with his hands.‘You’re very fortunate, you know.That I haven’t dared to reach for what I want.’
Her skin tightened, imagining what it would be to feel his hands upon her skin.‘And why haven’t you?’The breathless tone in her own voice startled her.
‘Because if I do, I won’t let it go.’
Chapter Six
All her life, Alanna MacEgan had believed in fate.She’d learned, at a young age, that her instincts were strong.The people around her felt their emotions deeply, yearning for love or happiness.
And she truly did want to help them.As a girl, she’d believed in love charms and magic spells.As a grown woman, she believed in watching others—reading beyond their words and interpreting their actions.
Sometimes, a love charm gave a young woman courage to talk with a man she cared for.And sometimes when Alanna saw a dangerous infatuation, she could protect someone from a terrible fate by telling her that the match was not meant to be.
She’d always known Mairead needed a lover outside the MacEgan tribe.Her cousin was far too impulsive, despite her large heart.
But now, seeing the Earl of Lowell left behind in the solar, she felt unsettled.Her father had already left, knowing there was no harm in leaving the two of them alone.And although it was reckless on her own part, she felt the urge to nudge fate in the right direction.
‘How are you, Lord Lowell?’she asked him quietly.‘Are you all right?’
The earl turned to look at her, and she noticed the weariness in his brown eyes.His blond hair was tousled as if he’d raked his hand through it in frustration.
