Chapter 40: Chapter Nineteen

ADA

I sat on the bed and felt the tears I had been fighting all day begin to fall. I was scared. Even as great a warrior as he was, it did not promise that he would return to me unharmed.

I took a deep breath and looked up to find his figure in the doorway; he had come back into the house.

“You are safe here,” he said matter-of-factly. “I cannot promise that in Kilcoran.”

“I am safe with you.”

“I will worry about you every day, wondering if you made it back to Dundalk unharmed. You would put me through that agony?”

“It will be fine. I just want to be with you as long as I can.”

“All right,” he said with a heavy sigh, “I do not want to upset you anymore. I will speak with Sayer tomorrow, but this means we will need to leave within the next few days.

“That journey is too long for you just to go and come back.”

I stood up and hugged him as hard as I could. He had followed through on every promise he made to me, including the promise that he would try harder to comfort me. This time, I was especially grateful.

***

A few days later, we were nearing the end of the journey back to Kilcoran. Upon hearing that I would be traveling along with Cayden, Kyra also insisted on coming.

She convinced Muireann I would need another woman to assist me. She craved to see the outside world again, and Muireann reluctantly agreed.

Kyra carried herself with a newfound confidence, which I much admired. During our journey, she alternated between spending time with me in the wagon and riding with Sayer.

It must have been hard growing up as the chief’s daughter, especially with three older brothers…three older ~Viking~ brothers.

Though different, she must have felt the same restrictions as I had. Even if her father allowed her some freedom, her brothers kept a very vigilant eye on her.

As we neared the town, Cayden called to Sayer that he would deliver us to the farm and join him later. Sayer did not agree with this arrangement until Cayden reminded him of Rankin and Weylin.

He did not wish Kyra or me to be anywhere near them.

The farm was just as we had left it. Cayden made us wait with the slaves until he was able to survey every stretch of the land. My body, aching, was happy to finally get out of the wagon.

He had been right. I would need a few days to regain my strength for the journey home. As we waited for Cayden, Kyra asked me a few questions about my home.

It was always beautiful this time of year. Green was just returning to the branches and the flowers were in the early stages of blooming.

“All right, it is safe,” Cayden called, riding his horse back to us. “The house will definitely need to be aired out.” He told one of the slaves to go inside to begin working, which did not sit entirely well with me.

A year ago, that would have been my responsibility.

“Ada,” my husband said, turning to me, “do you have the sword and dagger I gave you?”

I walked back to the wagon and pulled out the pair he had given to me before we left, a parting gift he’d had specially made for me.

“Good, you are in charge. Kyra, make sure she rests this afternoon. I will return when I can,” he said and kissed me goodbye.

I watched him ride off toward the town, feeling rather melancholy. Kyra and I both looked at each other.

“Well, no use standing around here,” I said, my hands on my hips. “Let us do some work, rest, and then I will give you a tour of the farm.”

Kyra smiled, and we walked to the house to help with whatever we could.

That afternoon, I walked Kyra around the property, even far out into the fields. She asked me about my childhood. It was painful to talk about, but she had confided so much in me, it was only fair that I share as well.

I spoke about my mother, how she was the most beautiful woman most had ever seen. I told her about Lugh and his dangerous temperament.

How I often witnessed him abusing my mother and would run as far as I could into the fields. I talked about the recent years, after my mother’s death.

Kyra was captivated by my every word. She could not believe how he’d sold me and then tried to attack me.

“It was like another person had taken over my body. I don’t even remember stabbing him. One minute I was slicing bread, and the next, it was morning and Lugh lay on the floor dead.”

“What did you do next?”

I told her how I’d packed up my things to leave and hid in the stables, waiting for nightfall. That was when the town was overtaken by Barra.

She believed it was my destiny to run away that night. Otherwise, Cayden might never have chased me into the woods. I agreed, staring out into the distance.

I remembered all the obstacles we faced together and all the times we had stolen away to be alone here. Kyra noticed my change in mood and put her arm around me.

“Do not worry, sister. Cayden will return to Dundalk. He always does. You must stay strong. If not for him, then for the baby.”

***

Cayden did not return for a few days, which we spent reviewing Kyra’s progress in training. She was doing very well. Unbeknownst to the others, I started teaching her how to fight with a sword.

The help that had traveled with us acted as antagonists in our lessons, since I was unable, which helped pass the time until nightfall.

I lay in bed that night, staring at the roof of the house, with Kyra already asleep next to me. The three female slaves slept in the other bed, which I thought was only fair.

I wondered how Cayden’s reunion with Weylin had gone. The last time they were together, Cayden had almost killed him. I hoped he was able to control himself.

I was worried what it would be like for him to be around Weylin for the next several months. My thoughts drifted to him leaving, knowing it would only be a matter of time until the men headed off for battle.

The next morning, I woke up to a very still house. I was so uncomfortable that all I wished to do was walk through the fields.

I hoped it would tire my body out so I would be able to sleep a little more this afternoon. As I went to plop my legs down on the ground, a grunt came from where a rug usually laid.

It was Cayden, sleeping in the same spot on the floor that I had so many nights. I was so excited to see him that all I wanted to do was kiss him, not caring if I woke the entire house.

He smiled at me and put his finger to his lips. We slipped down the stairs and out toward the river hand in hand.

“Brings back memories,” he said, putting his arm around me. I could not stop smiling at him. “You act as though I have been gone for months, cailín.”

“It feels like it.”

“What shall you do when I am gone for months?”

“Miss you every day.”

He helped me down the path, careful over the tree roots and rocks. Birds were beginning to chirp around us, and the first rays of sunlight dusted the horizon.

“How was your father?” I asked.

“He was fine. He would like you and Kyra to join us in our departure feast tonight.”

“So that means you will be leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes, we’ll leave first thing in the morning. As will you.”