Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty

ADA

We lay on the blanket entwined for a while afterward, not ready to pull away just yet. Cayden held me in his arms, kissing my head and stroking my hair every so often.

My body was nestled into his with my head near his chest. I loved how his arms felt wrapped around me, and for the first time in my life, I felt completely safe.

“Are you too cold? Should we go back to the house?” he asked, feeling how cold my nose was with his lips.

“Not yet. I am enjoying this position,” I said, tightening my embrace. “Tell me what it was like growing up as a Viking.”

“Probably not much different than your childhood.”

“I wish to know.”

“Well, I spent most of my days helping with chores and getting into trouble with the same group of men as I do now.”

“Was it hard to be the son of the chief? Did he expect a lot from you?”

“In some ways, yes. Just as you have trained most of the day fighting, I spent most of my days learning the craft.”

“Were all of you expected to learn to fight?”

“Yes. Well, the boys. Sayer was the strongest of us all. He still is, or still ~thinks~ he is…,” he said, trailing off.

“Is it hard to think about your other brother?”

“When I think about him, all I feel is anger. Even though I may not agree with my father’s relentless search to find the men responsible, I do wish to seek revenge against them.”

“I wish I could have known him.”

“I think he would have liked you. My sister would. She is around your age…Kyra. She is as fiery as they come. She would pit us brothers against one another, knowing we were all equally defensive of her.”

“And what was Murrow like?”

“He was much like myself but gentler. He did not care too much for fighting.”

“Can I ask you what you have found out about the attackers? I wonder if I may have heard something.”

“Kyra said there were four men altogether, but only two truly harmed her. She knew they were noblemen by the way they talked and dressed. One had a scar shaped like a shepherd’s hook on his chest.”

He adjusted himself, and it was evident he seemed uncomfortable about the subject. I leaned up and kissed him, letting him know I would not ask any more questions.

We traveled back to the house to find it still empty. Cayden was hungry and made a small plate of food for us to share.

I was freezing from being outside so long and sat by the fire wrapped in a blanket, waiting until he was ready to go to bed. Staring into the flames, I wondered how my mother would have felt about Cayden.

Would she have been disappointed in my choice? That I had given myself so freely to the first man I fancied? Was I?

My thoughts were interrupted by Cayden throwing another log onto the flames, causing sparks to float toward me. He took my hand to bring me upstairs and was all too willing to help me out of my dress.

Kneeling on the bed, his hands often stopped to caress me, and he grabbed me by my backside to bring me closer. In one swift motion, he flung me over him and onto the bed to kiss me.

He stared at me for a moment before letting go. I was intimidated by the intensity of his gaze. For so long, I was ashamed of my appearance, and now he was examining every inch of my face.

The scruff of his facial hair tickled my neck as his lips touched my skin. We moved under the covers, finding a comfortable position to sleep.

I closed my eyes and felt myself drift off to the sound of his breathing.

The next morning, I awoke with Cayden sleeping soundly next to me. I leaned over, giving him a kiss. It was hard to believe that the man next to me, who appeared so peaceful, was in reality a brutal warrior.

That is, until I traced my fingers over the muscular ridges in his back, which reminded me of how strong he actually was. He stirred a little, the corner of his mouth moving upward.

“Good morning,” I whispered.

“Good morning, Ada,” he returned, mirroring my playful tone. With his eyes still closed, his hand began to feel my body under the blanket.

“A good morning to you, Caxton.”

“And to you, Egil,” we heard from the other loft. I felt Cayden’s body shake with laughter, and he rolled onto his back.

“This is why I did not bring you back to the house last night. Privacy does not exist with these men,” he said quietly to me.

“Oh good, that makes up for almost having me freeze to death,” I said back to him sarcastically. His hand slipped between my thighs, ready to discipline me for my mockery.

My heart started to race as I felt him yank up my nightdress.

“You should be thanking us for our efforts last night,” Egil haughtily continued. Cayden’s hand stopped moving at his friend’s voice.

He placed it on top of the blanket, exhaling dramatically as he did so. Our moment was over before it began.

“Thanking you? I plan to beat all of your asses for the clever show you put on last night.”

“Would you all shut up? It is too early for all this talking, and I am still too drunk,” Padriac grunted from the main floor.

“You’d best go wash up and dress in the barn. It will be the only place where you will find some privacy,” Cayden said, lifting his head high enough to kiss my shoulder.

“And bring your pants and shirt. Your training continues once these lazy men get up.”

Cayden was right; it was either wash myself in a house full of horny men or do so with the animals. So, I brought my things with me to the barn to get ready for the day.

I could feel the coldness of winter settling in. My fighting clothes would not keep me warm for much longer, and I would need to find something heavier to wear in the next couple of weeks if I was to continue staying outside all day.

I braced myself for the chill as I pulled my nightdress over my head. As I wiped my body with the damp cloth, I remembered Cayden’s hands caressing the same curves.

My heart began beating faster, thinking of his touch, his warm breath on my neck, his body on top of mine. I wondered when we would be together next, with the hope that it would be very soon.

I did my best to compose myself, distracting my thoughts with a happier song this morning. I finished getting dressed and headed outside.

I opened the door to find the men were already seated, some passed out, on the ground. Cayden watched me cross the grass toward them, also seeming a little more at ease.

I knew by his look that we shared the same thoughts.

“All right, Ada. Let us begin.”