Chapter 30: Chapter Nine

ADA

The next thing I knew, it was morning, and sunlight was beginning to creep into the room. Cayden was still asleep next to me.

I lay there knowing that any second, I would begin to feel intense pangs of hunger. It was strange that just a few weeks ago, the thought of food made me ill, and now it was all I could think about.

I got up, deciding to get ready for the day, mainly so we could go to the hall to eat breakfast. There was a clay dish in the other room and a jug of water that I used to freshen up before returning to the bedroom.

“Cayden…” I nudged him. The baby was hungry, and I did not wish to venture to the hall alone. “Cayden, get up.” I could feel myself growing impatient.

He jolted up in bed, holding his knife. “What! What’s wrong?”

“I’m hungry! That is what’s wrong. Now stop dawdling and get dressed!” Minutes later, we entered the hall together. I did not wish to look at or speak to anyone until my stomach was filled.

Muireann and Kyra sat at the table, already eating their meals. They greeted us, and I tried my best to be pleasant.

“Kyra had the great idea of giving Ada a full tour of Dundalk,” Muireann said to us. Cayden, irritated, nodded before finally speaking.

“It would be good to know where everything is and to meet some tenants, especially since this will be your home now.”

We sat in silence for the remainder of the meal. After we finished eating, Cayden led me away from his family to a set of chairs facing the fire.

He guided my body onto his lap, enveloping me with his arms, a comforting position of ours that I had come to love. We sat there by the fire for a few minutes undisturbed, enjoying every second of our time together.

With my eyes closed, I happily envisioned this being our future. Being together, safe, and surrounded by people who cared for us. With both our hands resting on my stomach, my mind finally felt at peace.

“I’ve had a new cape made for you. The old one was soiled and had too many holes to repair. This one will surely keep you and my grandchild warm this winter,” Muireann said, holding it up.

I opened my eyes to see another beautifully made combination of fur and wool. “That is the loveliest cape I’ve ever seen. I can’t thank you enough for all your generosity,” I said, standing up and giving her a hug.

I looked over to find Cayden completely annoyed by our interruption. “I knew she would like it! I picked out the fabric and style,” Kyra exclaimed excitedly.

“Of course, we’ll have some more dresses made for you as well, especially if you’re to marry into this family.” She took my hand and led me toward the back of the hall.

“We will need your exact measurements to make you a few dresses for the rest of the pregnancy.”

I stood in the middle of the room while Kyra and Muireann showed me a few different options, while another woman took a string to measure my waist and length.

I couldn’t help but laugh along with Muireann at how enthusiastic Kyra was about the dresses. It was easy to see this was one of her many passions.

As she talked, I glanced over to where Cayden was sitting. One of the women from last night stood near him. She was tall and attractive.

It was obvious her visit was anything but a coincidence, seeing that her cleavage almost spilled out over the front of her dress.

She had purposely positioned herself in such a way that it was visible to the whole hall. “Ada? Ada…?” Kyra was saying something to me.

She must’ve asked me a question, but all I could feel was jealousy inside me, and my attention stayed fixed on their interaction.

“Oh my…is that not a sight to see,” Kyra said sarcastically.

“It’s called desperation.” Muireann jumped into our conversation. She was watching me ever so closely. “Don’t worry, dear, anyone can see Cayden is in love with you.”

“It’s not him I am worried about,” I said without thinking. I could feel my cheeks growing hot. I had no idea who this woman was; she could have been a past love or even a friend of the family.

“Trust me, marrying into this family means putting up with these types of women,” Muireann said, handing me a glass of water. “I should know. I have had my fair share of challenges with Barra. You just have to stay strong and have faith in your marriage, dear.”

I half-smiled at her, knowing it sounded easier than it was. It was just a few days ago that I had doubts about a future with Cayden, since he had barely spoken to me on the journey here.

What if it only took one of these women to end whatever was between us? “Come on, Ada. Let us venture around town. The change in scenery would be good for you.” Kyra placed my new cape around my shoulders.

As we neared the entrance of the hall, Cayden joined us. It was comforting that he’d left that woman almost as soon as he saw us. As Cayden put his arm around me, I looked over at her grimacing face.

“Where to first, Kyra?” Cayden asked as we stood outside the hall. She looked perplexed for a moment. Kyra started to rattle off several different options, and I could see her brother’s growing agitation.

“Hmm… let’s start by the boats and make our way back here for lunch.”

“The baby definitely likes that idea, especially the lunch part,” I agreed, smiling at her.

We walked down the path to the edge of the sea. People stopped and greeted us along the way, and it was apparent that Cayden’s family was very much liked and admired by the tenants.

One man even spoke about how fair a ruler Barra was and that Sayer and Cayden would follow in his footsteps. In the short time I had been in Dundalk, I began to understand why Cayden was the most reserved out of all the men.

As we reached the dock, we ran into Caxton and Padriac, who were helping unload one of the boats. I almost didn’t recognize Padriac when I first saw him.

Bathed and in new clothes, he was a very good-looking man. He had even trimmed his beard very short. I suspected Kyra had been the reason for his recent change in appearance.

Cayden hurried over to help the men, leaving me alone with my future sister-in-law. “You’ve known Cayden’s friends for a long time?” I asked, watching them.

“Yes, since birth. I cannot think of a childhood memory that they are not included in.”

“Egil is the only one that is married?”

“Yes, hopefully Caxton will be next. He’s been with one of my friends for a very long time now.”

“And then there is Gosta, who we both know will never settle down…,” I added, and we both laughed. I dared not say it, but my heart broke for the friend who hoped she’d marry Caxton.

Though he hid it well, I knew he liked women as much as Gosta. I looked from the men back at Kyra, and she continued to stare at Padriac.

“What about Padriac?”

She looked over at me and smiled. “I don’t believe he is attached to anyone at the moment. Though I’m sure any woman he chooses will be happy to marry him. He and Cayden are very similar in character.”

“And what about you? Would you be happy if he chose you?”

“He would never do so.” Her expression changed almost immediately; her distress was apparent. “I’m the younger sister of Sayer and Cayden… The girl who was raped. No one will ever want me.”

Tears began to run down her face, and I felt horrible for even asking. Not wanting to embarrass her further, I quickly led her toward a more concealed area out of sight from the pier.