When the second wave of release broke over her, her body erupted against his.He seemed insatiable, his mouth everywhere, while his hands brought her such pleasure.
‘Your turn,’ she commanded.‘Take me.’
And heaven help her, he obeyed.He lifted one of her legs, pressing it back to gain deeper access.Mairead watched him enter her body, and she could only hold him as he thrust hard, marking her as his own as he invaded and withdrew.
‘I’m going to marry you,’ she told him.‘And you won’t ever be free of me.’
‘I don’t want to be,’ he admitted.He thrust within her, claiming her body as his own as she gave him everything she had.At last, his own release took him under, and he flooded her deep inside.Against her damp skin, she could feel his heartbeat pounding.
The aftershocks of their lovemaking still made her clench around him, and he rested above her with a sleepy smile, tracing slow circles over her spine.
‘Do you know, Alanna was right?She told me I would meet my future husband if I gazed through my May crown at dawn.And I did.’
‘I wasn’t the sort of husband you expected, was I?’he said against her throat.
‘No,’ she agreed.‘You were far more than I ever dreamed of.’
* * *
The morning of his wedding, Balor awoke at dawn, feeling restless.Although he’d spent each day at Mairead’s side, it felt as if, at any moment, this gift would be taken from him.He could hardly believe that he’d won her heart and that she would become his wife this day.
During the past few weeks, Patrick had begun passing on his duties until Liam was crowned the new King of Laochre, only a day ago.The former king had also begun teaching Balor how to govern a large household.
The idea of looking after so many people intimidated him.It seemed impossible that he’d gone from a bastard son, unwanted by anyone, to becoming the heir of Beaumont.
Balor dressed in his wedding finery, the silk tunic trimmed with silver thread, and he wore darker trews.Hiscloak was woven of the finest wool, fastened with a golden brooch Mairead had given him.
A quiet knock sounded at the door, and he went to open it.His mother stood there, and she offered a nervous smile.‘You look very handsome, Balor.’
‘You look beautiful as well,’ he answered.It was true.She wore a gown the color of the sea, and the blue brought out the colour of her eyes.Orla had woven yellow gorse into her hair, and she ventured a smile at him as she murmured her thanks.
Their relationship had been strained, and he was trying to forgive her.She came to visit often, though she was helping Kenneth assume his duties as the new chieftain of Dunmalus.
‘There is…someone I’ve been wanting to introduce to you.’She stepped aside, and then an older man stepped through the doorway.
Balor found himself staring at the man who had watched over him during all the years he’d trained—Lord Beaumont.
‘This is your father,’ she said softly.‘William Fleming de Beaumont.’
The earl offered a hesitant smile.His hair held hints of silver amid the dark color, and Balor found himself studying the man’s features.They shared the same nose and mouth and were the same height.
Balor hadn’t truly noticed their resemblance in the past, since the earl had only watched his foster sons from a distance.But now there was no denying that Lord Beaumont was his true father.
‘I am…humbled to be here for your wedding,’ William said.‘I wish I could have been there for all the years I missed.’He extended his hand, and Balor gripped it.Even when he relaxed his hand, his father didn’t let go.
‘You were there as my foster father,’ Balor said.‘Those years mattered a great deal.’He glanced at his mother, who was smiling through her tears.He only wished Orla had sent him there far sooner.
‘You were always the strongest fighter of all the boys,’ William said.‘And my favourite to watch.I wonder if a part of me guessed that you were my son.’At last, he released Balor’s arm and he asked, ‘Will you bring your royal bride home to Beaumont?’
‘I will.But she will want to visit her family at Éireann often.’
‘Of course.’William reached for his wife’s hand.‘Just as I know Orla will want to visit Kenneth.’There was affection and forgiveness in his eyes, as if he’d set aside the lost years and was focused on rebuilding their future together.
Balor walked with his parents down the stairs, as they continued outside to where the horses waited.He mounted the stallion that had been a gift from King Patrick.Orla and William followed as he rode towards the coast.The crowd of guests lined a pathway to the sea, and each person carried a sprig of yellow gorse, Mairead’s favourite flower.
When he reached the shore, Balor dismounted and waited beside the priest.Isabel was already seated, and King Liam and Queen Adriana waited beside her, along with their children.
Balor smiled at the sight of Marcas.The boy beamed at him, and he proudly wore the leather bracers Balor had given him, to protect his arms while practicing archery.Liam had agreed to let them foster Marcas at Beaumont, and they would travel back to England together.
