Dread gripped Mairead’s stomach as Patrick approached the chieftain alone.Everything within her tensed, and she scanned the soldiers, searching for Balor.What if…he and Liam hadn’t escaped?What if something had happened to them?
The environment within Laochre was charged with fear, and she didn’t know who was truly in command.Why weren’t her father’s men attacking Fergus?
Mairead discreetly dismounted her horse and slipped back towards the stone inner wall while everyone else was distracted.Her heart thundered in her chest, and right now she didn’t trust anyone.She kept her back to the wall, moving slowly to the first guard tower.The MacEgan soldiers rested their hands on their swords, as if to protect her, when she passed by them.
But as she drew close to the second tower entrance, her back pressed against the wall and a strong arm pulled her inside.Before she could make a sound, she saw Balor’s face in the darkness.He wore chainmail armour and was alive and whole.
Mairead threw herself into his arms and gripped him hard, a sob escaping her.‘You’re here.’Her heart floodedwith relief and love as he returned the embrace.She hadn’t known how much she’d needed to see him until now.
There was tension in his bearing, even as he stroked her hair back.‘I’m here.’He slowly released her from the embrace and asked quietly, ‘Where is your…husband?’
So that was the reason for his hesitancy.She reached out to touch his cheek as she faced him.‘I didn’t marry the earl.Alanna did.’Her voice broke, but there was not time to tell him all the words caught inside her.
In the darkness, he covered her hand with his own.Against her mouth, he murmured, ‘Thank God.’Then he kissed her, and his mouth was a healing balm, soothing the pain of the past two days.She yielded to him, holding his body close to hers.
‘I’m glad you didn’t wed him,’ Balor said.‘Because I want you to marry me when this is over.’
‘Yes,’ she whispered.‘No matter what happens.’
His mouth descended on hers again, claiming another reckless kiss as she held him in the darkness.Balor’s tongue slid against hers, and the familiar aching need stole her breath and weakened her knees.She wanted this man, craved his touch on her bare skin.
With reluctance, he broke off the kiss, his arms still around her waist.‘Stay here, where it’s safe,’ he warned.‘This isn’t finished yet.’
‘My brother—’ she started to ask.
‘Liam took Adriana and your mother to Rionallís, along with his children.He’s gathering forces with his uncle and will bring back more soldiers.’
A tremulous smile broke over her with relief.But then he stepped back and raised his hood.‘Stay alive, Mairead.’
Her emotions brimmed over with thankfulness, even as she feared what would happen now.Though she understoodhe needed to confront Fergus to set aside the shadows of his past, she didn’t know what dangers lay ahead.
She stepped to the edge of the tower entrance to listen.The chieftain was still speaking to her father, but her attention was fully focused on Balor.
‘I have been chosen as the new King of Laochre,’ Fergus continued.‘Thebrehonshave spoken.’
There was an icy rage upon her father’s face.‘I have not surrendered my crown,’ Patrick argued.‘And you are not the king, Fergus.’To his men, he ordered, ‘Escort him outside the castle gates.’
The captain of the MacEgan soldiers unsheathed his sword and strode forward to obey the order, determination lining his face.But before he reached the stairs, an arrow struck him in the back.
The captain crumpled to the ground, and several women screamed, huddling against the rest of the crowd.
Mairead bit back her own cry and sank back against the wall, her pulse pounding with terror.Enemies surrounded them everywhere, and now she understood why the soldiers were hesitant to intervene.If Ó Phelan archers had taken command of the parapets, more would die if they dared defend the MacEgans.
‘Do you see what happens to those who defy me?’Fergus said.He began walking down the stairs, towards the stone chair.
She pressed her knuckles to her mouth, her gaze searching for Balor.But instead of moving within the crowd towards Fergus, he disappeared into one of the towers.She knew, then, what he was doing—removing the threat of the archers.
Fergus was speaking again, but she paid him no heed, instead watching the cloaked figure as Balor moved acrossthe parapets.Just as another archer took aim to release another arrow, Balor shoved him over the edge.The man’s body hit the ground, bleeding out.
Cries of shock broke out in the crowd before they realized the dead man was the archer who had shot the captain.A second archer crumpled upon the parapets in silence, his bow falling.The third dropped his weapons and fled.
Balor’s swift vengeance had had made its mark, unsettling the Ó Phelans.He’d earned his reputation as the Demon of Éireann.
But she didn’t fear him.This was the man who had travelled with her for days, across land and sea, to keep her safe.The same man she’d held in her arms while he’d stared at her as if she was the reason his heart kept beating.
And the man she had welcomed into her body, joining with him until her pleasure took her under, drowning her in the feeling of his skin against hers.
She loved Balor more than she’d ever thought possible.Mairead unsheathed her own blade and emerged from the shadows.She would fight to be with him, no matter the cost.And she began walking towards her father.
