Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen

ADA

The next morning, Cayden found me in the stable feeding the horses. Without hesitation, he put his arm around my waist to bring me closer to him.

We were in the view of the other men, and I did not wish for them to see anything between us when I did not even know if we were an ~us~.

I had worked so hard to gain their respect—would getting involved with Cayden discredit all my hard work? I did not want to be just another woman he whored around with.

Why should I throw away all my mother’s efforts to protect me on this man? My hand stopped him from moving me any closer. I could see the confusion on his face.

“What are you doing, Cayden?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” His hand stroked my face, and I looked away from him.

“Is there something the matter, Ada?”

“No. Just trying to finish my chores.”

“I thought you would be happy to have me here. You do not need to worry about the men.” He tried one more time to take my hand, but I pulled it back.

“I just wish to complete my chores so I’m able to rest before we go into town,” I said, then walked away from him.

It was evident I had bruised his pride by turning him away. I did not completely understand why I had done so, but walked swiftly to the fields to contemplate it.

Later that afternoon, we mounted our horses to ride into town. I was back in one of my mother’s dresses with my hair worn down.

Cayden had avoided me the rest of the day, and it was apparent to the rest of the group that there was tension between us. I led my horse away from the stable to make room for the others.

Coll, the same worker who had come to warn me about Weylin, approached my horse. He was fidgety and nervous.

“Ada, it is great to see you look so well,” he said. I knew he was here to ask for a piece of silver, and I rummaged through my pouch.

“You are too bold to approach us,” Cayden said as he rode up next to me.

“It’s okay, he is an old friend of mine.”

“I will say if it is okay. Now let us leave.”

I took the coin out anyway and handed it to Coll. Cayden’s anger was more about me than Coll. He was about to say something when Coll offered his thanks by kissing my hand.

“Your mother would be proud. Your beauty shines from within.”

“Thank you, Coll.”

“You are too kind to the slaves. Maybe you would prefer to go work alongside them,” Cayden said to me.

“If given a choice between your pride or working the fields, I would choose them over you any day,” I remarked to him, steering my horse toward Caxton and Egil, who were already a distance away.

I met Padriac’s amused look as I passed, and I knew Cayden must have confided in his closest friend about us.

After our ride, we entered the hall, where many men were already seated. It was full of conversation, laughter, and music. The last time I had been in this place, I was a part of the entertainment.

I followed behind Caxton, who was the last of the men to enter. I knew Cayden would be seated at the table with his father and brother, but I was unsure where I would be allowed to sit.

Cayden whispered something to Padriac and then left us to greet his family. Padriac turned around and said the rest of us would sit at the table next to Cayden.

“Even you, Ada.”

“I’ll be honest with you, I am nervous. I thought that there would be at least a few women.”

“There will be women after the meal portion of tonight,” Caxton said.

“I hope lots of women,” Gosta added, patting his friend on the back. He put his arm around me in a playful manner and led me to the table. “Tonight, you will feast and drink like a Viking.”

Chief Barra sat down at his table and made a short welcome speech to Cayden. The food was served moments later. I had never witnessed so much food being eaten.

It was as if the end of time was upon us; it was almost sickening to watch. I sat between Padriac and Gosta on the bench closest to Barra, with Caxton and Egil across from us.

A booming voice interrupted our conversation, and Padriac whispered that Barra was speaking to me.

“Ada, my son tells me you have been learning how to fight,” he said. I turned around and respectfully nodded. I met Cayden’s eyes, and he seemed wary.

“That is correct, my lord. Your son is a great teacher.”

“I am sure he is,” Sayer said, nudging his brother. Cayden only flashed him an annoyed look.

“I am glad for you. You did not put up much of a fight last time you were here,” a familiar voice said. The man turned toward me, and I saw it was Weylin speaking.

Padriac must have felt my body tense, because he rested his hand on my leg.

“How would you like to show these men what you have learned? I would be willing to fight you,” he went on.

“As much as I would enjoy that, I will spare you the embarrassment of losing to a woman,” I could hear myself saying.

Padriac’s hand tightened on my leg, and the four men around me protectively turned to Weylin. He angrily stood up, which caused Cayden to follow.

“All right, woman, rise up and we shall have our fight,” Weylin said with a derisive look on his face.

“That is enough, Weylin.” Barra motioned for him to sit down. “Ada, you will learn to watch your tongue. Next time, I will not interfere.”

“My lord,” I said apologetically and turned back to my plate. I raised my eyes to see Cayden’s men were trying their best to contain their smirks.