Then he followed thetánaisteinto the castle, neither knowing what lay ahead.
* * *
Mairead sat within the boat, her back rigid as they approached Laochre.Inside, she felt numb to everything that had happened.It was as if she were living another woman’s life, and she could feel the shadow of uneasiness.Her father sat beside her while their men rowed behind them.In the king’s bearing, she perceived his own unrest.
She and Alanna had upended King John’s plans—but it was her cousin who had taken the greatest risk and had married Lord Lowell in her place.
Mairead had been startled that the earl had agreed to their proposition the night before the wedding.But Lord Lowell and Alanna were closer in age, and it seemed that therewasthe foundation of a friendship between them.She hadn’t realized that they had talked together on several occasions.She suspected that Alannadidcare for Lord Lowell.And maybe both would find joy in their union.
Alanna had wanted to wed the earl, unlike herself.
After the two had married the next morn, her cousin’s happiness had been undeniable.The earl, too, seemed satisfied with the match.
King John had been furious at their wedding switch, but he could not deny that a MacEgan alliance had takenplace, just as he’d wanted.The only trace of acceptance amid the king’s rage was the fact that he had let them go.She’d learned from her father that Liam and Balor had left the castle the night before, so both were free.
But even so, Mairead knew she had weakened her father’s position.And she didn’t know what that meant for them now.
When she glanced at Patrick, she saw the weariness in his eyes as they approached the coast.His face held the lines of so many years, and from the way he stared towards Laochre, she could tell that he was missing Isabel.
Mairead had always admired her parents’ union.No, she hadn’t obeyed King John’s command.But how could she, when her own parents knew what love was?She wanted that kind of marriage for herself.And no matter that the earl had been kind, it hadn’t been fair to him, either.
‘You didn’t sleep last night, did you?’her father said at last, breaking the silence.
She shook her head.‘No.’How could she when she didn’t know whether Balor had arrived safely?Until she saw him with her own eyes, the worry would remain.
Although Patrick hadn’t blamed her for refusing Lord Lowell, she didn’t truly know what would happen now.It didn’t matter if she had to give up the life of a king’s daughter.She was willing to live in poverty if it meant being with the man she loved.But did Balor love her in return?He’d never said the words.
Perhaps it was time to simply be honest with her father.‘Balor asked me to marry him, the night before he left.’
She didn’t miss her father’s tension, but Patrick ventured, ‘And did you agree?’
Her feelings were held together by the barest thread.‘If he’s still alive, I do want that.If he’ll still have me.’
Her father chose his words carefully.‘I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you, Mairead.I want you to be happy.’
‘So do I,’ she managed.But at least he hadn’t said anything about Balor or disapproving of him.It gave her a trace of hope.
When they reached the pier, her father helped her out of the boat while one of their men tied up the vessel.They walked along the path leading up the hillside, and it wasn’t long before they were greeted by a few men with horses.
‘King Patrick, you must hurry,’ one of the men said as he dismounted.‘Thebrehonsand chiefs held a gathering, and they have brought out the stone chair to choose a new king.’
‘What of Liam?’Patrick asked.‘Is he here?’
The soldier’s face turned grim.‘We have not seen him.But Fergus Ó Phelan is attempting to claim the throne for himself.’
‘I won’t allow that.Not while I am still the king.’Patrick mounted his horse before he turned to them.‘No one will take my throne before I willingly give it up.’He squared his shoulders and leaned in to urge his horse faster.
Mairead followed behind, but worry rooted within her.Where were Liam and Balor?They had left earlier, so they should already be here.But if no one had seen her brother, what did that mean?The knot of worry tightened inside, threatening to choke her.
As they approached Laochre, the sun rose higher in the sky, but the air held a bitter coldness.The moment her father reached the gates, the soldiers raised a knee as a gesture of respect.They stepped aside to let him ride through, and Mairead followed.She held back from her father and saw that the stone chair had indeed been brought to the center of the inner bailey.
A crowd of MacEgans had gathered in the inner bailey, but she did not see her family among them, which only intensified her fear.
Fergus Ó Phelan stood at the top of the stairs, and when the chieftain spied them, his mouth curved in a smile.Orla stood behind her husband.She wore a grim expression on her face, revealing the hatred she felt towards Fergus.
‘Patrick,’ the chieftain greeted him.‘We didn’t expect to see you so soon.’
‘That much is clear, Fergus,’ her father answered.‘I believe it’s time you returned to Dunmalus.’
