Page 83 of Her Forbidden Irish Warrior

The sun rose above them, the light glittering upon the sea in waves of gold.Balor waited for Mairead, and at last,she arrived on her own white horse, escorted by King John of England on one side and her father on the other.

The sight of his bride made Balor’s heart ache, and she wore her elder wood May crown woven with heather, gorse, and yellow roses.

Her smile mirrored his own, and King John led her to him, a bemused expression on his face.It had taken weeks of negotiation to heal the bruised relations, but the new alliances among the MacEgans, Lord Lowell, and Lord Beaumont had softened the king’s resentment.

Balor took Mairead’s hands in his as the priest gave the opening blessing.It was unusual to speak vows here, beside the sea, but he’d wanted to give her a gift upon her wedding day.It was also a reminder of the journeys they’d shared and the journeys yet to come.

They spoke their vows, and then the priest offered up the Mass for all the guests.Balor held his wife’s hands in his during the celebration as he stared into her green eyes.As a boy, he’d never imagined that he would one day marry a king’s daughter.Or that she would love him as fiercely as he loved her.

When the Mass was over, he kissed her in front of everyone.Then he lifted her on his horse and swung up behind her.As they rode past hundreds of cheering guests, he leaned in.‘I know this is our wedding, but I’m tempted to steal you away right now.’

She leaned back against him, happiness lighting up her face.‘Do you promise?’

As they rode back to Laochre, he leaned to kiss her cheek, overwhelmed by all the precious gifts he’d been given.

And of all those yet to come.

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