Chapter 64: Chapter Five

ADA

“Because it is dangerous! I do not know if they will try to sabotage us. These are not our people. They are untrustworthy.”

“What if we arrive and then a whole army attacks? Would you have Cay grow up without a mother and father?”

I was absolutely livid; to bring our child into the argument was below the belt. My mind was made up, I was going.

Rather than spend the night fighting about it, I lay down on the animal skin, pulling the blanket over me. He tried nudging me with his foot a few times, but I did not budge.

“What am I supposed to do with the baby?”

“Apparently you are all-knowing. I am sure you will figure it out.”

I peered over to watch Cayden lay the baby down to sleep, quickly rolling back over so he would not see me looking. He got himself ready for bed and lay down beside me.

His hands started rubbing my legs, trying ~his~ best now to get me to speak. After a few seconds, he tried with honesty.

“I am scared, Ada. Rankin and Weylin are planning something. I just do not know what it is… I just got you back. I do not want to lose you again. It is not safe for you.”

He believed his words had absolved all tension between us. I lay silent, feeling his body press into me. I debated whether I should tell him about Weylin, but it would only support what he had just said.

His hand slipped under my shirt, caressing my bare hip. I slapped it away, letting him know nothing would go on between us tonight.

He rolled onto his back, releasing a huge sigh of frustration, knowing this time, I was not playing a joke on him.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than Cayden and readied myself for the negotiation. I brought the baby over to Kyra’s tent, telling her of my plan.

She tried to dissuade me, hoping to save me from an argument, but being headstrong was something Cayden and I had in common. As she braided my hair, I spent my last few moments with my son.

Cayden’s words had worried me all night. Was I truly foolish for attending the negotiation? What if it was an ambush and we were both killed?

But I felt compelled to attend the meeting, for it was between my two families. I knew them both, I could read them both.

And, if anything were to happen to us, I knew Kyra would raise Cay like her own son. Sable would be there to help her in the beginning, knowing exactly what he needed.

When Kyra finished with my hair, I looked at her with teary eyes as I handed him over.

Watching me put on my sword and dagger, she simply said, “I know, Ada. You do not have to say anything… You ~will~ see us both later.”

We walked out to meet the other men. There was a storm forming on the horizon that forced a cold draft into our camp, as if telling us it would be here by the afternoon.

I just hoped we would return before it settled in. The horses were ready for us to leave, and the men were eating a quick breakfast. I took an apple to eat and a piece of bread for later.

I stood there staring at the black clouds in the distance, as if they were an omen hanging over us.

“Ada, tell me, what are you doing here?” Cayden’s voice startled me. It was a low, robust whisper. A few of the men’s eyes darted up to us, knowing he was upset.

Cayden looked over at them, and they turned their attention back to eating their meal.

“I told you last night that I would attend the negotiations.”

“You will not. It is too dangerous.”

“Cayden, I am going, and that is the end of ~this~ negotiation.” I walked away from him, taking a seat next to Sayer. Cayden followed, staring at me disapprovingly.

Taking a seat across from me, he started to eat from the plate of food in front of him. It was obvious we had just quarreled.

“Did you not sleep well, brother?” Kyra asked.

“No. The tent was rather cold last night.”

“The baby slept fine. I slept just fine,” I said. “It sounds like ~you~ were the only one with an issue.”

The three of us were interrupted by Barra’s presence. He called for all those appointed to travel to ready themselves. We were leaving for the meeting place in just a few moments.

I stood up to walk over to the horses when Cayden grabbed my arm.

“Please, Ada. Can you for once just stay where you are safe?”

“I must go. I’m the only one who knows these two men.”

“Fine, then. I will not argue with you anymore, just as long as you agree to stay near me.”

“I agree.”

He kissed me there in front of everyone. Caught off guard by it, I shoved him away, searching for his intentions behind it.

He just kept looking at me, and I finally understood how scared he really was to lose me. I was almost about to tell him I would stay here when Kyra walked up to us, holding the baby.

We said our goodbyes to our son and mounted the horse. I held on to Cayden’s waist a little tighter than I normally did. I was starting to second-guess my decision.

Did I know exactly what I was getting myself into?