Chapter 37: Chapter Sixteen

ADA

We spent the next few minutes greeting all our guests. I met the families of my friends, each one passing along their blessings and guidance in marriage.

Music began to play in the background, and Muireann called for everyone to be seated for the wedding meal. Muireann had prepared a meal fit for royalty.

We spent the next few hours feasting on the most delicious of meat pies, cheeses, and fruits. Everyone seemed to be in the best of moods as we toasted and shared stories.

The men retold the story of me and Cayden in Kilcoran from their perspective, divulging that our secret rafter was not so secret after all.

Their families roared with laughter, hearing about the trick we had played on Cayden that night with Gosta, while Cayden pretended to be less than enthused about this story until he could no longer contain his smile.

When the majority of us were satisfied, many couples took up dancing. Cayden helped me up from the table, leaving only Padriac and Kyra behind. I looked at her and winked.

“Padriac,” I called over, “how about you give Kyra a twirl?” He looked like he was about to say no with Cayden standing next to me, when I followed with, “If not, I could see if Gosta is available.”

It would not seem strange to Cayden that I wished for Kyra to join in the festivities. With that, Padriac rose to his feet and offered his hand to Kyra.

By the early evening, I could feel myself growing tired. I didn’t want to leave the party, nor for this day to end.

I thought maybe a short rest would bring me the energy I needed to stay awake, so I found a comfy seat near the fire and watched everyone continue to dance. Cayden wandered over to me and kissed me on the cheek.

“Finally, a moment alone,” he said. He looked so handsome with his hair pulled back and his beard neatly trimmed.

Muireann must have had a new outfit made for him as well. The colors of his shirt and jacket matched that of the ribbon in my dress, and it was tailored well to his body.

“Hello, my husband,” I said, leaning into his touch as he caressed my cheek.

“Hello, my wife…and child,” he responded, rubbing my stomach. “Are you two tired?”

“Very, but we are having too much fun to leave.”

“Well, maybe in a little while we can go home. I am also quite exhausted. Caxton had the drunken ambition of challenging us all morning.”

“And you all foolishly accepted his challenge?”

“More like we all took turns beating his arse.”

“I am glad to see he is still standing then,” I laughed, looking at Caxton chugging one cup of ale after the other.

It seemed weddings brought out his competitive side, as he and Gosta were locked in some kind of drinking game. Cayden took my hand and slipped a ring onto my finger.

“I know the cords bound us in marriage, but I wish for everyone who lays eyes upon you to know it as well.”

I looked at the ring, confused, and watched him place one on his finger. My mother had never worn a ring, so this was not a Celtic tradition I was familiar with.

“It is a tradition I have witnessed in other towns here, one my father’s side values. If we are to travel, I wish for all to know you are mine.”

“And you are mine too,” I said, holding his ring finger. He kissed my hand. We looked out onto the crowd. Kyra was still dancing with Padriac. I felt such joy for her; they could not keep their eyes off one another.

“I think I’m ready to leave. Sitting here has helped me realize just how tired I am.”

We bid our guests goodbye, and Muireann sent people to follow us with plates of food. It was cold outside, and I moved closer to Cayden as we walked back.

When we reached our house, he took out his knife to cut the horseshoe out of my dress and hung it above the entryway, and together we entered our home for the first time as husband and wife.

***

“Good morning, wife,” Cayden whispered in my ear. I awoke on my side with my husband pressed up behind me. It was still early morning, and the light did not show through the windows yet.

Unlike yesterday, I hoped we would be able to sleep in undisturbed this morning. “I wish to stay like this forever,” I quietly said back.

I was so comfortable under the blankets with him. We were married with a child on the way. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the baby began making demands on me.

For now, I wished to just lie in the arms of the man I loved. He gently rubbed his hand on my belly. I closed my eyes, remembering our wedding night as I drifted back to sleep.

***

I had been so tired when we arrived back at the house, all I wished was to retire for the night. Cayden, of course, had other plans.

He helped me out of my dress, carefully untying every ribbon, helping me take down my hair. The smell of lavender filled the room as I unraveled the last braid.

He spoke about the first time he saw me without my veil, saying he was spellbound by me. How he knew that we would be forever bound to one another.

His words were so kind and genuine, and I loved to see this rare and gentle side of him. Muireann had placed a beautiful nightdress with detailed embroidery on the bed, as well as a new shirt and pants for Cayden.

I picked it up, staring at the intricate needlework.

“I don’t believe I am finished helping you ready yourself for bed,” Cayden said, lifting up the hem of my dress.

“You may help me finish dressing, but I ~am~ going to sleep, Cayden,” I said, smiling at him. Even though my words were false, I always enjoyed playing with him a little.

Just as he had with me last night, I wished to see how much he wanted me also. He lifted my underlay over my head so I was standing completely naked in front of him.

“Will you not help me change for bed as well?” he asked, kissing my lips and neck.

“I believe you have forgotten to help me ~into~ my nightdress.”

“A small detail overlooked.”

He placed my hands under his untucked shirt so I could feel his skin. I helped him out of his jacket and shirt so only his pants remained.

It had been a long time since I was able to admire every inch, every muscle in his upper body. My hands grabbed onto his arm muscles and then slowly traced his chest down to each hip.

I placed my hands at the top of his pants and kissed him back deeply, only to release him and get into bed.

Cayden looked dismayed as I pulled the nightdress over my head and got under the blanket. He lingered by the bedside for a second, as if he was not sure what to do.

A few seconds later he got under the covers and moved as close as he could to me. I faced away from him so he wouldn’t see my smile and spoil my fun.

I felt his hand move onto my hip, and I forcefully removed it from my body.

“Ada, it is our wedding night,” he said, trying a different angle. I attempted to contain my laughter, and in my best tired voice responded to him.

“Then we shall have a lifetime to be together, but right now I wish to sleep.”

“Do you not wish to lie with your husband for the first time?”

I remained unresponsive to his pleas. He moved his head closer to me, kissing me on my neck, the spot that usually got me in the mood.

With my shoulder, I shook him off, causing him to finally roll onto his back and let out a huge sigh. I decided I had played with him enough and turned to face him, smiling from ear to ear.

“I didn’t even have to ~touch~ you to make you beg for it. I hope you remember that next time you wish to tease me.”

He raised his head with a boyish, eager grin, and taking me in his arms, he said, “I shall make you pay for that cruel joke, cailín.”