Balor set aside his chains, but he couldn’t stop the wariness or the sense of danger that kept his gaze fixed upon the spiral stairs in the distance.Liam, too, shadowed the wall as they joined the Norman soldiers.
Abruptly, torches flared at the end of the hall, and they froze in place as soldiers emerged in the darkness.Balor couldn’t tell how many men were descending the stairs—possibly four.He recognized one of them as a guard who had kept watch over them yestereve and today.The manimmediately unsheathed his weapon and regarded them.‘Trying to escape, are you?’
Sir Edward and Gerald unsheathed their weapons, stepping forward.Balor inwardly cursed that he had only the small blade Mairead had given him.It would have to be enough until he could disarm one of them.
Balor lunged forward and slashed his blade, drawing blood.The fighting blurred around him, but he released his frustration and rage.Every emotion brimming within him descended into this fight.He wasn’t going to let these be his last moments.Not while he was still breathing.
He charged forward, dodging a blow while Gerald blocked a strike meant for him.
Balor seized his assailant’s shield, barely in time to defend another slice towards his head.But he used the wooden shield as its own weapon, swinging it hard until the soldier crashed to the ground.Sir Edward was struggling, and Balor ignored the protests of his body, reaching for a sword.
This was more than a fight to live—it was a fight against those who despised him, against those who would keep him from the future he wanted with Mairead at his side.
He unleashed himself, guarding Liam and Sir Edward while Gerald fought alongside him.And when the soldiers lay wounded or dead on the ground, Balor kept his weapon drawn, blood spilling over the blade.
‘Put the survivors in chains,’ Liam advised.
‘We’ll take care of it,’ Sir Edward vowed.‘You need to go now before anyone else arrives.’
Footsteps approached, and Balor led Liam up the ladder, keeping his hand upon his stolen sword.Darkness cloaked the keep with only a few torches set in iron sconces.Liam stumbled slightly, and ahead of them, Balor spied King Patrick.The man’s eyes widened as he recognized his son.Buta heartbeat later, Patrick took a step towards them, drawing the dagger at his waist.
The world seemed to shift slightly, and Balor sensed the subtle threat.Time stilled, and he seized Liam, pulling him out of the way just as the king threw his blade.
The weapon struck its mark—in the heart of the soldier who had slipped behind them, his own weapon raised to cut them down.The man fell backwards towards the shadowed tower where he had stood poised to strike.
Gods above, the king had just saved their lives.
Balor raised a knee in silent deference, and Patrick met their gaze for a moment, giving his own nod as they approached the gates.
But as he took his place to guard the castle, Balor glanced towards the battlements.And there, he saw Mairead speaking softly to Lord Lowell.Behind her stood her cousin, Alanna.
Jealousy settled in Balor’s gut as he watched over the woman who had captured his own heart and claimed it for her own.From her intent conversation and bearing, he watched as she took the earl’s hand.
She didn’t at all look like a woman who intended to walk away from a marriage of duty.He pushed aside the angry hurt and told himself it was only what he deserved.It didn’t matter what choice she’d made.
That choice wasn’t him.And he simply had to live with it.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, a cold dullness seemed to encircle Mairead, distancing her from those around her.The wedding was prepared, and the guests were gathered outside the small chapel.She waited beside her cousin Alanna, who was clad in her own finery.
‘Are you certain about this?’Although Mairead tried to keep her courage up, her nerves tangled up inside her.
Her cousin’s hands were as cold as her own.‘I am.And though this path is a troubled one for you, it is the right one.I believe that.’
Mairead embraced her cousin.‘We’ve always been there for each other from the moment I was a small child.And…although this is a risk, maybe you’ll find love, too, one day.’
‘It’s unlikely.’Alanna’s voice held a hint of sadness.‘I know what they say about me.Everyone believes I am mad.’
‘Not everyone,’ Mairead reassured her.‘You were always one of my favourite cousins.’
Alanna gave a slight nod, though her expression grew strained.She took a deep breath and ventured, ‘Are you ready for what lies ahead?’
‘No,’ she answered honestly.‘I’m more afraid of what will happen this day than anything else I’ve ever done.’
‘You needn’t be,’ Alanna said.‘All the wedding arrangementsare in place.But in the end, you still have a choice.If you don’t want to do this—’
‘No matter what I decide, it’s the wrong choice.’And the slightest defiance could mean Balor’s death.She couldn’t bear for that to happen, regardless of his wishes.
