Chapter 48: Chapter Seven

ADA

“Tell me more about your husband,” King Toren said, his fingers tented beneath his chin. “It is important that I understand where my grandchild comes from.”

“I should preface my story by telling you he is half-Irish and half-Danish.”

“Like you… Well, it would be hypocrisy to hold that against him. Is he a farmer from Kilcoran?”

“No, he is from a small town on the other side of Ireland.”

“What is the name of the town?”

“Dundalk,” I said, almost regretting the words as they came out. It was obvious he knew of that town. I could see his mind analyzing everything I said about Cayden and his family.

“He is a Viking?”

“Yes, but before your mind is set against him, let me tell you our story. You will see that he has done nothing but live by the honor of his words to protect me.”

“Then, please, go ahead.”

As I told our story, King Toren’s facial expressions followed the ups and downs of its course. He called for some more ale as the story arrived at the present time.

“So, you have been trained to fight like a Viking warrior?”

“I would not go that far, but yes. I am quite good with a sword and shield. Well, not now, as you see I am carrying a bit of extra weight.”

“Did your husband ever share his battle strategies?”

I could feel my face growing hot. If I lied to the king, I could be putting myself in danger, but if I told him the truth, then I would surely be putting Cayden and his family in danger.

I attempted to answer his question with another question.

“Does a man ever speak of battle strategies with a woman?” Even though mine did, I hoped that in Oranmore, at least, this was not the case.

King Toren studied my face for a moment. I had never been good at lying, and I wasn’t sure that was evident now.

“I daresay, no.”

We finished our time together, which all-in-all had been very enjoyable. My mind lingered on Cayden as King Toren walked me to the door and kissed my hand.

There was part of me that regretted every word I had spoken about him. I was hesitant to share any more with him in the future, as I could not quite read his intentions.

“This day has made me the happiest I have been in a very long time,” the king, my father, said with a grin. “I shall see you for dinner.”

“Yes, my lord,” I answered with a small curtsy. I walked out the door without waiting for Oisín or Sable to escort me back to my chamber.

I didn’t want to linger long in the hallway with the row of guards who stood before me. So, I began walking the same way I had come with the hope that I would figure the rest out along the way.

When I reached another hallway, I saw two men hastily walking toward me. Most of the men I had met were about my height, which made me feel like a giant around the other women.

These two men were just a few inches taller than me. The first man was quickly approaching me. It was obvious this was Silas from the way he was dressed and from the look of hatred he gave me.

He must have received most of his features from his mother’s side. His hair was dark, without a speck of red in sight, only his face having a similar quality to Toren.

The other man was dressed in a high-ranking soldier’s uniform. His hair was dark and shaved very close to his head. He appeared to be a decade older than me.

As they passed, I wondered if Silas would stop to speak with me. They did not seem to be slowing down, so I stepped aside for Silas to pass.

He kept his eyes straight ahead, almost knocking me to the ground. The man behind him caught me in his arms just in time.

“Are you all right?” his deep voice asked.

“Yes, I think so… Thank you. I find it hard to believe he did not see me.”

“You will have to forgive him. He has some urgent news for the king.”

The man was still holding me as he stared at my face. His expression was one I was all too familiar with. He seemed enraptured by me, that is, until his eyes traveled from my chest to my stomach.

“Ciaran, I think she is fine now. You may let her go,” Myrna said, startling both of us from behind. He slowly released me. “Come, milady. I am sure you are in need of some rest.”

“You are Lady Ada?”

“There will be time for introductions later. You better catch up to Silas.”

Myrna put her arm around me and guided me down the hallway. When we were closer to my room, she broke her silence.

In a warning tone, she said, “He is Lord Silas’s faithful companion. Do not trust anything he has to say.”

I looked at her blankly, remembering his face for a moment. She held open the door to my room and sent Sable to retrieve some tea for me.

“I also must warn you that he is a very ~friendly~ man.”

“Yes, he appeared pleasant.”

“You are missing what I am saying, child. He is ~friendly~ with all the women in the castle. So, you best be careful.”

“Even if I was unwed, I am still very large and very pregnant. What man would want to lie with me?”

“I would not put it past him, my dear. He was undressing you with his eyes in the hallway.”

“That would be a sight to see,” I said, rubbing my stomach, and we both started to laugh. She helped me undress and left my side when Sable returned with my tea.

I lay in bed thinking about my morning with Toren. He had seemed so kind and genuine. What if Myrna had been right?

What if he had truly loved my mother? I could not stop thinking about what our lives would have been if we stayed in Oranmore.

***

That evening I joined Toren and Silas for dinner, feeling especially nervous. The dinner presentation was much more aesthetic than those I had seen during my time here.

There were more servants around the hall, bustling from place to place. Even the tableware was of higher quality. It was fine glass and, I assumed, a gift from the king’s recent trip to England.

“My two children will be together at last,” King Toren said, entering the room. On his arm was an elegant young woman.

I quickly realized she was not Silas’s guest but the king’s from the way he doted on her. She did not look Irish in any form.

Her fashion was vastly different, and she carried herself in such a unique manner. She greeted me very graciously, and I realized she too was English.

Another gift the king must have received during his visit.

Silas walked into the room behind the king, and I observed a certain exchange between the woman and Silas, a glance that lingered rather too long.

It was subtle, something Toren did not seem to notice, but it made me wonder if there was something more between the two of them.

Silas stood to the side of them now, staring at me with an empty look.

“Ada, this is Lady Brynlee of the Kingdom of Fairfax. She is the niece of the king there, and this is my son, your brother, Silas.”

I bowed my head to greet both of them. Lady Brynlee extended her hand, and I was not entirely sure what to do with it, so I awkwardly shook it.

Silas slightly bowed, never breaking his eye contact. It sent a shiver down my spine.

“We finally meet,” he said once he’d straightened.

“We actually met earlier today.”

“I do not recall that. I am sure I would have remembered such a large woman.”

“I was the ~pregnant~ woman that you almost knocked over in the hallway.”

“That was you? You looked so much like a servant.”

I could feel my blood beginning to boil. I knew Silas was not going to like me, but it was evident there would never be any amicability between us.

Before I could insult him, Toren led Lady Brynlee past us as he scolded Silas’ behavior.

“So, Ada, can you tell us why our precious food is being handed away?” Silas pressed on during the meal.

He was referring to the daily meal I had started to offer the poor and displaced in the town, something I could not let go since my tour of the town.

I had only wished to do more for them. Silas was trying his best, as Myrna warned, to discredit me.