Chapter 41: Chapter Twenty

ADA

I nodded in agreement, for I did not wish to stay longer. There was no reason to stay here without him, for only painful memories remained.

When we reached the edge of the water and began to disrobe each other, I found myself slightly shy to do so in front of him, seeing as my physique had altered so much.

I did not feel as attractive as I once did. Cayden got into the water first as I finished removing my clothes. I could tell he was staring at me. I could always tell when he was staring at me.

“My goodness, woman. That child has filled up your entire stomach and nothing else.”

“I wish I could see how I looked… I just feel ~big~.”

“From the back, one would never believe you were pregnant,” he said as I turned to get into the river. The water was still slightly cold, but manageable.

I slowly made my way toward him. As the water level rose to my shoulders, it supported my stomach. Cayden pulled me over to him and I wrapped my legs around his body.

“Do you still find me beautiful?”

“Even more so,” he said, kissing me. These would be our only moments alone together before he left, and I did not know the next time I would see him.

It might very well be after the birth of our child. I placed my arms around his neck, kissing him as deeply as I could.

The sun had fully risen when we finished dressing, and we headed back up to the house to eat breakfast. Kyra would be excited to hear we would dine in the hall tonight.

As we neared the house, I kissed Cayden on the cheek every few steps, which seemed to amuse to him as he laughed each time. There was still a strange uneasiness in the air as we walked past the barn.

I looked around the yard, even into the stables, and no one was in sight. I called for Kyra as we neared the house, and she walked out the front door, still in her nightgown. Her face was completely white.

“Kyra, what’s wrong?” I asked as her eyes began to widen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cayden trying to grab his sword at the same time as he was struck in the head from behind.

Kyra began screaming, and as if in slow motion, Cayden’s body hit the ground. I watched the man’s arm raise his sword up to finish him off.

Out of instinct, I reached for Cayden’s sword, now on the ground beside me, swinging it to meet the man’s blow. He looked at me, surprised, and tried to swing again at Cayden.

With all my might, I met his sword again, but this time with enough momentum to knock it out of his hand. I held Cayden’s sword against his chest, almost cutting the skin.

Two other horsemen rode onto the property. I told Kyra to grab the man’s sword from the ground and keep her eyes on the other two horsemen, never taking my eyes off the man in front of me.

I wouldn’t give him any opportunity to run away; he was our only leverage. “Who are you?” I shouted. “And what do you want with us?”

The man simply stared back at me with a scowl. He wore a uniform, the same as the men on horseback.

“One of you, speak now! Or I will end this man’s life!” I demanded once more and pressed the sword harder against the man’s chest. I must have cut him slightly, as blood began to seep through his shirt.

“We are here for the woman named Ada,” another horseman said.

“What is your business with the woman?”

“That is the business of our master. We were directed to come here and collect her.”

“How do you know she is here?”

“Word of your beauty has spread across the kingdom, lady. Our lord has paid a great sum to find you.”

“Paid who? What does your lord want?”

“That is business he has not shared with us, but he means no harm to you.”

“Then why attack us? Why almost kill my husband?”

“Because it was made known that you are the wife of a Northman. We were told he would not let you go freely.”

Cayden was still on the ground, and I assumed he would be for some time. I had to think fast. These men did not seem to mean any harm to me. If I went willingly with them, I hoped they would spare Cayden’s life.

“Kyra, have you been hurt?” I asked, feeling her presence behind me.

“No.”

“Where are all the slaves?”

“Inside the house. They rounded all of us up this morning and told me to meet you outside when you returned, otherwise they would kill us all.”

“And neither you nor any of the slaves were harmed?”

“No.”

I took a deep breath, knowing what had to be done. “Then I will leave without protest, under two conditions.” I turned back to the riders.

“Yes, my lady. What are they?” one asked.

“The slaves remain unharmed in the house. It would be unnecessary bloodshed to kill any of them.”

“We will agree to that. And your second condition?”

“My only other condition is that you allow this woman to take my husband into town. He is in need of help, and the only healer is with the chief Viking.”

The men looked at each other, and I could feel their reluctance. Before they could discuss it further, I interjected, “It will be a while before he awakes.

“If we leave as soon as she does, we will be far enough away from Kilcoran that he will not be able to find us.”

This seemed to satisfy their wariness, and they agreed to my terms.

“Kyra, run to the stable and bring over a horse, quickly.” She did not protest and ran as fast as she could. My sword remained drawn on the man.

I wanted to make sure Cayden and Kyra were safe before I lowered it.

She returned seconds later on the horse. The two other men dismounted and walked over to Cayden. They lifted his limp body, which seemed to be quite a task for them. Cayden was much larger in stature than them.

I watched as they draped him over the front of the horse, all the while telling myself not to cry. I lowered the sword from the man and cautiously walked over to Kyra.

I placed Cayden’s sword in her hand, gently stroking his face for the last time.

“Now, you must ride into town, and do not stop for anything,” I said to her. She was crying and begging me not to go with the men.

“Just like ~you~ said to ~me~, you must stay strong. Cayden needs you. Do not stop until you find Sayer, Padriac, or one of ~our~ men.

“Do not bring him to anyone else, especially Rankin or Weylin.”

Before she could say anything else, I smacked the back of the horse. She looked at me one last time and I mouthed, “Stay strong.”

—End of Book Two—