Chapter 61: Chapter Two

ADA

He looked at me, completely distraught, and I felt guilty for even questioning his fidelity. I knew words would not erase all the agony he must have endured.

The only way I knew to comfort him then was with my body. It seemed that was exactly what he needed: to hold me, to kiss me, to be as intimate as he could with me.

Maybe then his mind would accept that I was here, that I was safe, and that I was his. I climbed into his lap and, without saying anything, pulled his shirt over his head, kissing him everywhere as I did.

His breath started to deepen as he lifted mine, revealing my naked body. His hands slowly wandered from my hips and up my sides, finally stopping at my shoulders, before laying me on my back.

Tangled together in the privacy of our tent, my body was draped over his under the blanket. Cayden adjusted himself out from under me, moving the blanket down to my hips.

He began tracing his fingertips over my bare back, sometimes going further under the blanket. I allowed him to do whatever he wished.

For the first time in months, I felt completely relaxed and closed my eyes. I must have dozed off because the next thing I heard was Cayden telling someone to enter the tent.

He was still next to me and did not budge. He must have felt me wake and leaned his head down to kiss me. I realized my backside was still exposed and facing the opening of the flap.

Sayer, Padriac, and, of course, Gosta came into the tent. I could tell by their silence that none of them knew how exactly to act—well, except maybe Gosta.

He was the first to speak: “Well, I think it is safe to say we will all need to find a woman after leaving here.”

The corner of Cayden’s mouth flickered ever so slightly. He pulled the blanket up to my neck. Gosta continued, “Which gives Padriac the opportunity to talk about his woman.”

“~His~ woman?” Cayden asked sharply, and I suddenly felt concerned for Padriac. He was about to tell Cayden about him and Kyra.

I knew both brothers were protective of their sister, but Cayden and Kyra were especially close; their bond was much stronger. Holding on to the blanket so it would not slip, I sat up a little. The three men stared at me as I did. Even though these were our friends, Cayden placed a defensive arm around me.

“When Padriac and Caxton went to the camp to collect Ada and the baby, there was a man there. He was threatening to kill the baby,” Sayer started, attempting to build up Padriac’s character.

Cayden looked at me with concern. “Is that true?”

“Yes, he was moments away from stabbing Cay in the crib when Padriac killed him. If he had not, then our son would be dead right now,” I said, following Sayer’s lead.

I hoped he was right in that hearing about Padriac’s bravery would ease the news about his best friend and sister being intimate.

“I am indebted to you,” Cayden said to his friend.

“Well, it is a good thing you have said that,” Gosta chuckled to himself.

“Yes, we’re thankful for Padriac, especially Father.”

“Why Father? What is it that you wish to tell me? Just come out and say it already.”

I could feel Cayden growing impatient. Padriac had not spoken yet so far; it was the most nervous I had ever seen him. The other two were waiting for him to say something.

After an awkward moment of silence, Sayer redirected the purpose of the visit.

“The man Padriac killed was also one of Kyra’s attackers. That means the other is in that kingdom. Father wishes to speak to Ada about it now.”

“Of course, we will be right there,” Cayden said, still a little confused; their behavior was obviously out of the norm. The men stood up and headed for the exit.

Cayden called out before they left, “I do not understand why it took three of you to tell me that.”

Sayer and Gosta started saying something to Padriac in hushed voices. Padriac pushed both of them toward the door, as if he could not get out of there fast enough.

Gosta turned to us right before he left. “Padriac and Kyra have been together—yes ~together~—for the past six months.

“Everyone has known for some time, and now you know too,” he shouted and ran out of the tent. Padriac and Sayer both looked at Cayden and left the tent as quickly as they could, leaving me alone with him.

Cayden’s gaze remained focused on the exit, and he said to me with a voice full of denial, “What did Gosta just say?”

Cayden shot up right after they left, pulling his clothes on. I dressed as fast as I could to keep up with him. He kept mumbling things under his breath, switching from Danish to Gaelic.

For Padriac’s sake, I hoped he had run far away from the camp.

“Cayden…Cayden!” I put my hand on his arm. “Slow down. If anyone was going to be with your sister, are you not happy that it is a man like Padriac?”

“That is not the point. The point is he is my closest friend. He should have come to me.”

“He cared for you enough to wait until I was found. Do you really think you would have received that news well during the past six months?”

He just looked at me for a second. My words seemed to make him think, but there was no stopping him at this point. He was too proud. Cayden charged through the opening of the tent.

I followed a safe distance behind, hoping Sayer or Gosta were still nearby. We walked around the camp for a few minutes, searching for Padriac.

When people saw Cayden’s face, they quickly moved out of his way as I unsuccessfully tried a few more times to calm him down.

“There he is…that little weasel-shit,” he said loudly. I looked ahead of us to see Padriac talking to Kyra, standing very close together.

As soon as Padriac saw Cayden, he positioned Kyra, who was also holding the baby, in front of him.

“You choose to use my sister and son as a shield. Come here and face me like a man,” Cayden said. His voice was loud, but I noticed a slight genial tone to it.

“Cayden. I can explain,” Padriac said, moving Kyra with him. Kyra did not look scared of her brother. She was the brave face in the situation.

Padriac was trying to get himself behind the table we had sat at this morning. “Be careful with the baby,” the nervous mother in me said.

When Padriac reached the table, he let go of an annoyed Kyra, and she walked over to me, rolling her eyes, as this had been a typical part of their childhood.

Sable walked up to us, looking like she had just woken up from a nap.

“What is going on?”

“My brother just found out I am in love with his closest friend.”

Sable smirked a little. “This should be entertaining.”

We watched the boys shuffle around the table. As worried as I had been, it was evident this would be more of a playful fight.

They shouted profanities at each other, causing an audience to form. Egil egged them on, getting the crowd to call for a fight.

“What do you say, old friend? If you beat me, I will give you my blessing.”

“Save yourself the humiliation and give your blessing now,” Padriac boasted. The two friends met each other face to face. Egil, acting as the judge between the two men, called for the fight to begin.

They scrambled on the ground, trading off the upper hand. Padriac was in the lead when Barra emerged from his tent. His interest in the fight quickly faded when he looked over at me.

It must have reminded him of our pending business. He gestured to Egil to end the scuffle. Following orders, he pulled the two apart.

“All right, I declare Padriac to be the winner.”

“What? That is not a fair judgment!”

“I am the judge! Just give him your blessing and call it a day.”

Cayden and Padriac looked at each other for a moment, looking like they were going to fight again. Cayden finally cracked a smile and gave his friend a hug.

Padriac still seemed skeptical about his embrace but returned the hug, displaying one of his rare smiles.

“I give you my blessing.”