It stood to reason that the chieftain would want Liam to be an Ó Phelan prisoner, to offer leverage against their own claim to the throne.
‘We need to question Fergus,’ Balor said.‘Find out who took thetánaisteand where.King Patrick should know of this.’
‘No,’ Kenneth protested.‘The king would kill my father immediately.I’m begging you…as my brother, don’t tell Patrick.’
Fury stretched the limits of his patience, for Balor didn’t care what happened to Fergus.Hewantedto bring about the man’s downfall.But he also cared about his brother.
But Mairead spoke softly, ‘Thank you for telling us this, Kenneth.’
The young man regarded her for a moment.‘I would…want someone to help me find Balor, if he were missing.I don’t know if anything I’ve said will make a difference.I think my mother knows more.’
She released Balor’s hand and took a step closer to Kenneth.‘I am grateful to you, and I pray that we will find Liam soon.’
Balor reached out and embraced his brother.‘Go now, before anyone sees you.’
Kenneth’s gaze lingered upon Mairead’s, but there wasa sad resignation, as if he realized he had no chance of winning her heart.
Balor understood that feeling well.
The stolen moment between them had caught him unawares.He’d known that Mairead hadn’t come to his bedchamber for that reason—and yet, he’d fallen under the spell of desire, needing to touch her.
For that fleeting moment, this woman had belonged to him.And he’d savoured every touch, especially the way she had responded to him.
He couldn’t deny how badly he wanted her.A good man would stand aside and let her have the life she deserved by wedding a man like the earl.Or a wealthy nobleman.
But the problem was he’d never been a good man.He was starting to question whether letting her go was the right decision.
Honour would give him nothing but loneliness and jealousy.
His fingers brushed against hers, and she took his hand, holding it while they watched to ensure that his brother made it safely outside the gates.
‘Do you think the chieftain hid my brother somewhere near Dunmalus?’Mairead ventured.
He turned back to her.‘I don’t know.But my mother might know more about what Fergus did.I’ll go and talk to her.’He could return to Dunmalus and talk to Orla while Mairead remained here with her family.
‘I want to come with you.’
He tightened his hand upon hers.Aye, he wanted that, too.But it wasn’t wise—especially now that her father was here.
‘You wanted to be safe,’ he reminded her.‘Travelling with me is dangerous, and you know it.’
Before he could stop her, Mairead slid her arms around his waist.‘Don’t you think I see the prison they are making for me?I see the earl, the man they chose as my husband.My father and uncle are here, along with the others.If I stay, I worry they will force me to wed Lord Lowell immediately.And that’s not something I want.’
‘Then tell them no.’He rested his hands at her waist, unable to push her away.‘They cannot force you to make a vow.’
‘I don’t want to stay behind.’She rested her forehead against his.‘Don’t leave me, Balor.Take me with you.’
He didn’t want to be caught in the middle.Especially since it would enrage her family and they might learn nothing at all about her brother.Bringing her with him meant defying orders.
But he also knew he couldn’t stand aside and walk away from her.Not if she needed him.
He cupped her face, stroking his thumb down the edge of her jaw to her throat.
Maybe it was time to truly become the villain everyone believed he was.
* * *
Mairead could feel Balor’s gaze upon her back as she walked towards her father and uncle, leaving him in the shadows.She’d considered her choices, and it would buy them more time if Patrick believed she was being obedient.
