The crowd grew restless, now that the seeds of chaos had been sown.Fergus was trying to call out orders, but no one was listening.
Instead, Balor crossed through the crowd as he forged a path towards Fergus.‘You will never be King of Laochre or any king of mine.’His voice was strong and clear, breaking through the noise of the crowd.He unsheathed a sword with his right hand, keeping his shield in his left.
* * *
Balor was buying time, trying to distract Fergus while Liam had gone to Rionallís to gather forces.But it left him alone to defend Patrick’s crown with the remainderof the MacEgan men.And with the Ó Phelans closing in, he didn’t know how much time they had left before reinforcements arrived.
The unrest of the MacEgan crowd was what they needed now, to weaken Fergus and distract the Ó Phelans.
‘You will never wear a crown,’ he told Fergus.‘Not when the rightful king is standing before you.You should leave now while you’re still breathing.’
When he risked a look back at King Patrick, he found Mairead standing beside her father.
Sunlight illuminated her face, and she wore a dark cloak and a rose-colored gown.Her dark hair was braided back, the wind sliding the loose strands against her cheeks.
An ache caught inside him at the sight of her, along with a fierce burst of hope.He could see the worry in her expression, but he wasn’t afraid—he had a reason to fight.She had defied her family for their sake.And that realization was a flame igniting his sense of purpose.
King Patrick stared back at him, as if taking his measure.Then the MacEgan soldiers gathered around their king in silent defence.Balor knew what that meant—they would not intervene in this fight.But he intended to face the chieftain and end Fergus’s reign once and for all.
He kept his sword steady, circling the chieftain.Waiting for the first strike.
Fergus slashed his own blade downward, and their swords rang out in the stillness.Balor blocked the strikes with his shield, just as he slashed with his own blade.
‘Why would you believe you can win this fight, Balor?’Fergus taunted.‘My men will defend me and cut you down.’
Two Ó Phelans charged up the stairs, but Balor’s blade flowed like water, cutting through flesh and bone as hemoved.Bodies slumped to the ground, but it was a familiar dance with death.And one he intended to win.
Fergus had always been a strong fighter, ruthless in his methods.He didn’t seem to care about the fallen men but swung his sword again.As steel clashed against steel, Balor remembered the frightened boy he’d once been, years ago.That boy was gone now, honed by Norman training from the man who was his true father—the man who had once shown pride in Balor’s skills.
‘You’ll never win,’ Fergus taunted.With a glance at the people surrounding them, he added, ‘No one will fight for you.You’re nothing but a bastard no one wanted.’
The words were meant to be another slice at his pride.But the wordbastardno longer stung, as it once had.Lord Beaumont had sent men to find him and bring him back.And now Balor had a possible future to offer Mairead.Even if she was the only person who ever wanted him, it would be enough.
More of the Ó Phelans closed in, their forces locked together with spears while the MacEgans remained to guard Patrick and Mairead.And when he saw the resolution on their faces, he suddenly understood that Fergus intended for him to continue fighting his own kinsmen, killing them while everyone watched.
‘This isn’t your fight,’ he warned the Ó Phelan men.‘Stay back.’Several understood and obeyed.
‘Balor!’
Mairead’s voice was a sharp warning.And before he could react, he felt the iron kiss of a spear against the back of his neck.
Chapter Thirteen
Mairead froze at the fighter who had used the distraction to move into place with his spear.Fergus Ó Phelan held his sword on the other side of Balor’s neck, and the sight of it shattered her.Even if Balor fought back, he was outnumbered.
Her father’s men would never reach him in time.Bile rose up in her throat, and she’d never been so furious—or helpless—in all her life.In that moment, she grew aware of every person within Laochre, every enemy and every ally.
‘You’ve been a problem since the moment you were born,’ Fergus said to Balor.‘Now I’m going to end your life—and she can watch.’
Not again.She had already lost one man she’d cared for, even if it hadn’t truly been love.Her heart completely belonged to Balor Ó Phelan, and if she lost him, it would shatter her.Of every man here, he’d had the courage to stand up for her father.And he didn’t deserve to die for it.
She refused to stand back and do nothing.Mairead unsheathed her own blade, even as three men stepped closer to keep her away from the fight.‘Let me go!’
Balor was staring at her as if he held no regrets.There was resignation in his posture, and yet, his face held peace.‘Mairead, if your face is the last one I see in this world, it’s enough for me.’
‘It’s not enough for me,’ she shot back.
She tried to lunge towards him, but someone else caught her from behind.‘Don’t move, Mairead.’She struggled, only to realize it was her brother, Liam, who was now holding her back.The people murmured among themselves, while her father’s relief was palpable.
