Chapter 27: Chapter Six

CAYDEN

That evening, Cayden brought Ada back to the house. He was angry at his cousin for what he’d done, angry at Ada for going outside alone, but most of all, angry at himself for not being there to keep her safe.

Bringing her home to Dundalk was best for both of them. Every town had its dangers, but at least he would not have to worry about Weylin or his uncle with Ada in Dundalk.

His mother and sister would keep a close eye on her when he returned to Kilcoran in the spring.

Cayden brought a bucket of water back into the house for washing. He did not worry about the blood and mud covering his body; all he cared about was Ada.

He walked into the main room to find her sitting by the fire, blankly staring into it. She had tied her hair up on the top of her head, a few wispy strands around her face.

Crouching down in front of her, Cayden dipped a cloth into the bucket, wringing it out before touching her with it. Her gaze did not break away from the fire.

“Ada…,” Cayden said softly, pained by her despair. His insides turned at the thought that she was equally disappointed in him. What if this had been the final straw that would drive her away from him?

Would she still leave with him tomorrow? He raised the cloth up to her face and began to gently wipe away the dirt. He did this a few times until tears began to fall down her face.

She was sobbing before him and Cayden was unsure of what to do. His usual methods of comforting her were useless. She needed more from him than just his affection.

He was about to say something to her when the men barged into the house.

They still seemed upset about the situation, some more than others. The men had known Weylin since childhood and were fully aware that he was the same snake now as he was back then.

Even they could not believe the line he had crossed, discussing it loudly, oblivious to Ada’s state. Cayden was growing infuriated by their insensitive disregard.

He looked at them to find the point of their rambling so he could send them away. He rose to his feet, placing his hand on the back of Ada’s chair.

“You know Caxton has had the most issues with him; he kept pushing Weylin when we returned to the hall. Your father finally dismissed all of us, telling us all that we were to go with you back home.

“Of course, his speech was not as delicate as that,” Padriac reported.

“Yes, but we received his message loud and clear,” Gosta added. Padriac realized Ada was crying, though he could not see the front of her. She had leaned over, burying her face in her hands.

He silently motioned his head for Cayden to look, which he did. Cayden immediately knelt down next to her, discerning the best way to comfort her.

“We will be outside,” Padriac said, signaling all the men. Gosta and Egil had just sat down to eat something; they looked at him as if unwilling to move.

Padriac grabbed the dish of food and walked outside. His friends reluctantly followed.

With Cayden’s attention returned to Ada, he reached up to pull her hands away. She gave him the most piteous look, and he regretted ever disturbing her.

“I don’t understand why this happened again. Why does your cousin focus on me?” she asked. He knelt there, trying to think of the words to answer her question.

She had asked him why this had happened again, but all he heard was, “Why did ~you~ let this happen?” After a few seconds of staring at each other, Ada got out of her seat and headed up to the loft.

Cayden walked over to the door to let the men know they could come back in from the cold and took Ada’s seat by the fire for the rest of the night.

Cayden was the last one to get into bed that night. He had purposely avoided it as long as he could, wondering if Ada would even let him in.

After undressing, he slowly lay down, doing his best not to make any noise. Cayden watched Ada’s chest rise and fall, feeling the warmth of her body underneath the blanket.

As he lay there, he tried to fight the desire to touch her, to be with her. He wanted, ~needed~, to know everything was all right between them. To him, physically being with her was the only way to ensure that.

He moved his body closer to her, causing her to stir a little. Her breathing pattern changed, and she rolled over to face him. He was scared to move any part of his body, doubted her wish to make love.

As if sharing his hesitation, Ada lay still, wishing for the same comfort as Cayden. At some point, the two of them drifted off to sleep, worried about what the other was thinking.

ADA

The journey to Dundalk took about three days’ time. We left before the sun had even risen, following Barra’s orders. I wasn’t even given time to properly bathe.

With my changing body, my mother’s dress was almost uncomfortably tight, making me feel unusually nauseous that morning.

Cayden insisted I ride in the wagon, where he’d made a comfortable spot for me to rest throughout the journey. It ended up being the best area for me to sit, seeing as we only stopped to rest the horses.

Neither Cayden nor the other men wished to linger on the road. This part of Ireland was dangerous for travelers.

***

“There it is, Dundalk,” Cayden said, pausing at the top of the hill. It was the most he had said to me the entire journey.

I hoped this would spark a conversation between us, but before I could respond, he called to his horse to continue moving.

Cayden’s town sat at the edge of the sea. It was the most incredible sight. There were several houses encapsulated by a great fortress. I held my stomach as I felt a rush of nerves cascade through my body.

Would I be accepted here? I was about to meet his mother, sister, and other relatives. Would they like me? My position as Cayden’s wife would never be as important as whoever married Sayer.

I knew this, but I feared I would always remain an outsider, never completely welcomed. I feared there would be women in the town that would despise my presence.

Much to my comfort, we were received by many friendly people from the town, many of whom I assumed were slaves as they took over the horses and began emptying our wagon.

Cayden guided me through the paths of the town to the largest establishment. A woman with long black hair with similar features to his suddenly appeared.

She was beaming with excitement and ran down the steps toward us. “My son! You’ve come home at last,” she said, embracing him.

She looked around and greeted the rest of our group, finally laying her eyes on me. I could feel her examining every inch of my body, stopping at my stomach. Cayden cleared his throat and grabbed my hand.

“Mother, this is Ada.” He extended both of our arms toward her. I could barely look her in the eyes. She paused before finally taking my hand, and Cayden seemed equally nervous. “She is to be my wife.”

“And just in time, I suspect,” she said, gazing at my stomach. “I knew this day would come...and before Sayer, rolling stone that he is. She’s with child, is she not?”

“Yes, she carries ~my~ child.”

“Well then, let us fetch my grandchild some food. I am sure all of you must be tired and hungry after that long trip.”

The hall we entered was warm and smelled of spices. The sight of food made me realize just how hungry I was then, and I felt as though I would faint if I did not immediately eat something.

Cayden’s mother ordered one of the slaves to serve me. “Thank you,” I said, sitting down at the table with the rest of the men. I was not sure what to call her.

“Muireann. You may call me Muireann.”

I realized she was native to Ireland. I had not heard her accent when we first arrived, but now it was clear. That explained why her hair was so dark and why Cayden’s was as well.

The rest of his features seemed to have come from his Danish side, though. I had often wondered why Cayden spoke fluently in both languages, why his mannerisms did not seem so foreign to me.

I was surprised Barra had married an Irish woman. In my village, many believed mixing with the Danish would only invite them to stay, and Barra had been so adamant about Cayden marrying a Danish woman.

It all seemed so bizarre to me.