She was starting to understand how passive she’d become.She’d let Diarmud go off into battle, even knowing how inexperienced he was.And she’d cloaked herself in blame for his death.She couldn’t stand aside and wait for someone else to make decisions for her.
‘There is…another way,’ Mairead said slowly.‘But we must speak with the earl first.He might be able to help us.’
Her cousin ventured a slight smile.‘What did you have in mind?’
* * *
The soldiers escorted Balor below ground, leaving Gerald and Sir Edward to stand guard.After they were alone, Sir Edward leaned in and spoke quietly.‘You’ll stay here until nightfall when we make our move.’
Balor inclined his head, veiling his own frustration.He recoiled against the idea of leaving Mairead behind while he saved her brother—especially when they were trying to force her to marry the earl.He wanted to take Mairead away and damn the consequences—even taking her against her will.He couldn’t imagine standing aside and doing nothing.
Butshehad to be the one to decide her fate, not him.
If he tried to steal her away from her wedding, it meant certain death.There were too many guards.Too many kings.He could do nothing without an army to back him up.
She didn’t choose you, his mind warned.You always knew she wouldn’t.
He’d nearly told her about his true father, Lord Beaumont, but something had stopped him.He didn’t want this to be about status or nobility.Mairead had claimed it didn’t matter whether he was a prince or a serf, but he needed to know if she’d meant it.
A darkness settled in his gut as he forced himself to face the inevitable.There was still the chance that he wasn’t enough—that she didn’t want to marry him and leave her family.And he might have to accept that.
Their last embrace haunted him still.She’d said she loved him as she’d wept.The words had resonated inside, filling up the hollow spaces of the lonely years.If she’d truly meant it, how could he walk away from her?
His mind settled upon the undeniable truth.Mairead still had the choice of whether to wed for duty or love.And if he took away that choice, then there was nothing left for them.
He would escape this place with her brother and undermine the kings’ control over her.And when they could not force her to marry, Balor would know the truth of whether she truly wanted to be with him.
‘Don’t do anything reckless,’ Gerald warned.‘I can see that you’re considering it.’
The soldier wasn’t wrong.But no matter how Balor considered a way to save Mairead, it came down to trust.
A fierce emptiness gripped him, for he had to walk away and hope that she loved him enough to stand firm and refuse the match.It was the greatest risk he’d ever imagined taking.Because he would likely lose her.
‘There are two horses tethered in the woods outside the gate,’ Sir Edward continued.
‘Ride south towards the coast and hire a boat.’The knight gave him a handful of silver and paused.‘Unlessyou’d rather return with us now to Beaumont?You don’t owe the MacEgans your loyalty.’
He’d considered it.But another part of him wanted to hold on to the barest hint of hope, that Mairead might choose to defy her family, unlikely though it might be.‘No.I’ll bring thetánaisteback to Laochre first.’
The way Balor saw it, there was no other way to gain King Patrick’s favour.If he helped Liam return, then there was the barest hope that he could win Mairead’s hand in marriage.A thin thread, yes, but it was still a chance.
‘I am grateful for your help,’ Balor admitted to the Norman soldiers.‘Were it not for both of you, I would be dead already.’Somehow, he would ensure that these men were rewarded.
It seemed strange, leaving Éireann to become the bastard son of a man he hardly knew.He didn’t think Beaumont had any other sons, so likely he could make a place for himself in the earl’s household.It wasn’t the life he’d anticipated, but it was all he had to offer Mairead if she refused Lord Lowell.
‘We’ll come for you at nightfall,’ Edward said.‘I’ll help you get outside the gates with Liam.’
Balor straightened, flexing his wrists against the ropes.‘Leave it to me.’
* * *
‘Do you think this will work?’Liam asked quietly.
Balor pulled the chainmail shirt over his head.‘I do.’
Sir Edward and Gerald had removed the manacles and chains earlier.Then they’d brought armour so Balor and Liam could disguise themselves among the guards.During the next rotation, the pair of them would stand guard at the castle entrance.As long as they behaved like the othersoldiers and kept their features hidden in the darkness, no one would notice.
The armour was heavy, and Balor grimaced at the weight of it against his wounds.It was the cowl and helm that hurt the most, though he bore the pain.
