Liam struggled with his own armour and then glanced at him.‘We’re a pair, aren’t we?I feel a thousand years old.’
So did Balor, but his weariness was more about his regret for what he’d said to Mairead.He’d let his pride get in the way, and he’d lashed out without meaning to.But the thought of losing her was worse than he could ever have imagined.
Even now, he remembered the softness of her hair, the scent of her skin.He remembered what it was to love her, to hear her soft sighs as he’d touched her.It was killing him to imagine her wedding someone else.
‘Can you ride?’he asked Liam.
Thetánaistegave a nod.‘I’ll do whatever I must to get home again.’He leaned back against the wall.‘I need to see my wife and the children.’After a pause, he said, ‘I owe you my life, Ó Phelan.I would have been dead if you hadn’t found me that night.’
‘It’s lucky I did,’ Balor admitted.
After a slight pause, thetánaisteasked, ‘Whydidyou travel all this way to help me?’
‘Because your sister asked me to,’ he answered honestly.The truth was he would have done anything Mairead wanted.There didn’t need to be any other reason.
‘You care for her, don’t you?’
He nodded.‘I do, aye.But it doesn’t matter.Your father would never allow us to marry.’His words exposed the bitterness he felt, and he didn’t care.For it didn’t matter.Oneway or the other, Mairead would make her choice.And so would he, by bringing her brother home to claim his throne.
Liam seemed to consider the answer.Then he asked, ‘What reward do you want for saving my life?’
There was only one thing he wanted, but Balor said, ‘What I want is something you cannot give.’
He wanted Mairead as his wife.He wanted to give her children, to hear their laughter in their home.And he wanted to love her.
‘I am sorry,’ Liam said solemnly.‘If it means anything at all, I will ensure that my father knows all that you’ve done for me and my family.’
Balor thought about it again and said, ‘There is something else.If it’s within your power to grant this, I want Fergus removed as chieftain.Especially after what he did to you.’
‘Oh, he will be removed, rest assured.’Liam’s voice held a quiet threat.‘Were you hoping to take his place?’
Balor shook his head.‘My half brother should replace him.If Kenneth becomes chieftain, it’s enough for me.’
‘What about you?’Liam asked.‘Where will you go?’
‘I am going back to England.’
There had been a time when he never would have considered returning to Beaumont, even though he’d learned how to fight there.But he no longer belonged in Éireann.The thought of staying here, where every familiar place evoked memories of Mairead, wasn’t possible anymore.Better to begin anew somewhere else.
Liam cast a sidelong look at him.‘Why England?’
Balor hesitated, wondering whether to tell him the truth.In the end, he admitted, ‘Because I am the bastard son of a Norman lord.He sent two of his men to bring me back—they are the soldiers helping us tonight.I’ve been offered a home there.’
‘What of your family here?’
Balor shrugged.‘No one will miss the Demon of Éireann.’
Thetánaisteregarded him with a long look.‘I am grateful for your help, Ó Phelan.And I will do what I can.Whether that means helping your brother or helping you.’After a pause, he asked, ‘Who is your father?’
‘William Fleming de Beaumont.’
Liam’s expression turned interested.‘You’reBeaumont’sbastard son?Our family is on good terms with him.’
Before he could say anything further, Sir Edward and Gerald arrived.Both wore chainmail armour with conical helms and swords at their waist.The older knight said quietly, ‘It’s time.Walk to the main gate and take your positions.Hurry.’
‘Won’t they ask questions about who we are?’Liam asked.
‘I told them King John’s men would guard the gate, so they don’t need to recognize you.You’ll stay for a time, and when Gerald and I approach, you’ll go through the gates while we take your places.No one will question it.’
