Chapter 31
Ada barely remembered walking back to their chamber. Her mind was still in the war room, replaying the sight of her father in that camp, the casual way he'd stood there plotting Magnus's destruction.
Magnus closed the door behind them, turned to face her. "Are ye truly all right?"
"I dinnae ken." Ada moved to the window, stared out at the dark courtyard below. Guards patrolled the walls, torches casting dancing shadows. Everything looked normal. Peaceful. But she knew better now. "I keep thinkin' about all the people who got sick. Who could have died."
"Ada—"
"And Donnan." She turned to face him. "He's been here the whole time. Watchin' me. Reportin' back. Every conversation we've had, every moment I thought I was safe—he's been betraying us."
Magnus crossed to her, took her hands in his. "I willnae let them hurt ye. Ye ken that, aye?"
"I ken. But Magnus—" Ada squeezed his hands. "I cannae just sit here and wait. I need tae help. There has tae be somethin' I can dae."
"Ye've already helped. By being here."
"That's nae enough." Ada pulled away, began pacing. "Donnan trusts me. Or he thinks he daes. He's always comin' around, askin' if I'm happy, if I'm safe. What if—" She stopped, an idea forming. "What if I used that?"
Magnus's expression darkened. "What are ye thinkin'?"
"What if I pretended tae turn against ye? Tae want tae escape?" Ada's words came faster now. "Donnan would believe it. He's been waitin' fer me tae realize what a mistake this marriage was. If I went to him, told him I wanted me faither's help—"
"Absolutely nae." Magnus's voice was firm. "That's too dangerous."
"But it could work. We could find out what they're really plannin'."
"Ada, if Donnan even suspects ye're lyin', if yer faither doubts ye fer a moment—" Magnus's hands curled into fists. "I just got ye. I'm nae riskin' losin' ye tae some scheme that might nae even work."
"But we need information." Ada moved closer, placed her hands on his chest. "Right now, we're reactin'. Always one step behind. If I could get Donnan tae trust me, tae tell me what they're plannin'…"
"The answer is nay."
"Magnus, please. Just listen."
"I said nay." His voice rose slightly, then softened when he saw her flinch. "I'm sorry. But I cannae. I cannae put ye in that kind of danger. If somethin' happened tae ye because of a plan I agreed totae He stopped, swallowed hard. "I couldnae bear it."
Ada was quiet for a moment. Then, "What if we made it convincin’? A public argument. Somethin' that would make Donnan believe I truly hate ye?"
"Ada—"
"It would only be fer a few days. Just long enough tae find out what me faither's plannin'.
When he's goin' tae attack. How many men he really has.
" Ada's hands moved up to frame Magnus's face.
"We have the advantage right now because they dinnae ken we saw the camp.
But that advantage willnae last ferever.
Eventually, they'll move. And when they dae, I want tae be ready. "
Magnus stared down at her, conflict clear in his eyes. "If anythin' goes wrong…"
"Then ye'll be there tae save me. Like ye always are." Ada managed a small smile. "I trust ye, Magnus. Dae ye trust me?"
"Aye."
"Then let me dae this. Let me help protect what's ours."
Magnus closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, Ada saw resignation there. "If we dae this—and that's if—we dae it me way. With rules. With protections in place."
"Agreed."
"Ye dinnae meet with Donnan alone. Ever. There are always guards nearby, even if ye cannae see them."
"All right."
"And if at any moment ye feel unsafe, if anythin' seems wrong, ye get out. Immediately. I dinnae care what information ye might lose."
"I promise."
Magnus pulled her close, held her tight. "I have a very bad feelin’ about this."
"So dae I." Ada pressed her face against his chest. "But I cannae just sit here and dae nothin' while me father plots against ye."
They spent the next hour crafting their story. Ada would claim Magnus was cold, distant, that she'd realized the marriage was a mistake. She'd be desperate to leave, willing to do anything to escape.
It was close enough to the truth—or what could have been the truth, if Magnus hadn't proven himself so different from the rumors—that it would be believable.
"We'll dae it tomorrow," Magnus said finally. "In the courtyard after the midday meal. Enough people around tae witness it, includin' Donnan."
"What will ye say?"
"That ye're bein' ungrateful. That I gave ye everythin' and ye still want more." Magnus's jaw tightened.
"And I'll cry. Storm off." Ada's hands twisted in her lap. "Make it look like I cannae stand tae be near ye."
"Aye." Magnus reached out, covered her hands with his. "But Ada, ye need tae ken—none of it will be true. Whatever I say tomorrow, whatever I dae…"
"I ken." She squeezed his hands. "I ken ye dinnae mean it. That it's just an act."
"Good. Because the thought of makin' ye cry, even if it's pretend—" He stopped, shook his head. "I hate this already."
"So dae I. But it's necessary."
They went to bed that night holding each other close, both dreading what the morning would bring.
The next day passed in agonizing slowness. Ada went through her usual routines—helping Mairi in the healing chambers, checking on the recovered villagers, pretending everything was normal.
But her stomach twisted with nerves every time she thought about what was coming.
She saw Donnan twice. Once in the corridor, where he'd offered his usual concerned smile and asked if she was well. She'd managed to nod, to mumble something about being tired.
The second time was just before midday, when she'd been crossing the courtyard. He'd been standing near the stables, watching her with those assessing eyes.
Ada had looked away quickly, her heart pounding. Did he suspect? Could he tell something was different?
Magnus found her in their chamber as the sun reached its peak. "It's time."
Ada nodded, smoothed her skirts with trembling hands. "I'm ready."
"Remember the plan. I'll start it. Ye just react naturally." Magnus's expression was grim. "And Ada? I'm sorry. Fer what I'm about tae say."
"Dinnae be. It's nae real." But her voice shook slightly.
They made their way down to the courtyard together. People were milling about—servants finishing their midday meal, guards changing shifts, villagers who'd come to trade at the keep's small market.
And there, near the well, stood Donnan. Watching.
Perfect.
Magnus's hand tightened on her arm, harder than necessary. Enough to make her wince. "We need tae talk. Now."
"Magnus, ye're hurtin' me."
"I said now." His voice was cold. Harsh. Nothing like the gentle tone he usually used with her. "I'm tired of yer complainin'. Tired of yer constant demands fer more."
Ada felt tears spring to her eyes, not entirely from acting. Hearing him speak to her like that, even knowing it was false, hurt more than she'd expected. "I havenae demanded anythin'."
"Ye want tae be a healer. Want tae ride around the island like some common woman instead of actin' like the lady ye're supposed tae be." Magnus's jaw was tight, his eyes flat. "I've given ye everythin'. A home. A title. Protection. And still it's nae enough."
"That's nae fair—" Ada's voice broke convincingly. "I just want tae be useful. Tae help yer people."
"Me people dinnae need help from a Highland lass who daesnae even want tae be here." Magnus released her arm with a slight push that made her stumble back a step. "Ye made that clear enough when ye arrived. When ye looked at me like I was some monster from yer nightmares."
People were staring now. Conversations had died. Ada could feel their eyes on her, could hear the whispers starting.
"I never said that."
"Ye didnae have tae say it. I could see it in yer face." Magnus's voice carried across the courtyard. "Ye're here because the king commanded it. Because ye had nay choice. Well, neither did I. But at least I've tried tae make this work."
"I've tried too!" Ada let the tears fall now, let her voice rise. "I've tried tae be what ye need. What yer people need. But ye—ye're so cold. So distant. Ye barely even look at me most days."
"Because lookin' at ye reminds me that I'm trapped. Bound tae a woman who'll never see me as anythin' more than the monster everyone says I am." Magnus's hands clenched at his sides. "Maybe they were right. Maybe I should have refused this marriage from the start."
The words landed like physical blows. Ada gasped, took another step back. "How can ye say that?"
"Because it's the truth. This marriage was a mistake. We both ken it. We're just too proud tae admit it."
"Fine." Ada's voice shook with genuine emotion now. "If that's how ye truly feel, then maybe—maybe I should just leave. Go back tae the Highlands where I belong, tae me faither."
"Ye cannae leave. There is a Pact."
"I dinnae care about the Pact!" Ada was shouting now, tears streaming down her face. "I dinnae care about any of it! I just want—" She choked on the words. "I just want tae be somewhere I'm actually wanted."
Magnus's expression remained hard. Cold. "Then perhaps ye should have thought of that before ye agreed to this marriage."
"I didnae agree. I was forced. By me faither. By the king. By everyone who decided me life fer me without askin' what I wanted." Ada turned away, her shoulders shaking. "I hate this. I hate bein' here. I hate—"
She couldn't finish. Just ran toward the keep, one hand pressed to her mouth to muffle her sobs.
Behind her, she heard Magnus's voice, cold and dismissive. "What are ye all watching?! Get back tae yer chores!"
Ada didn't stop until she reached their chamber. She slammed the door, pressed her back against it, and let herself cry properly.
Part of her knew it was just an act, that Magnus hadn't meant any of those terrible things he'd said.
But another part—the part that still carried scars from her father's cruelty, from years of being told she was worthless—that part had heard the words and believed them. Just for a moment.
A knock at the door made her jump.
"Ada?" A familiar voice. Not Magnus. Donnan. "Are ye all right? I saw what happened in the courtyard."
Ada wiped her eyes quickly, composed herself. This was it. The moment they'd planned for.
She opened the door slightly, let Donnan see her tear-stained face. "I'm fine. Just—I need tae be alone right now."
"That was cruel. What he said tae ye." Donnan's expression was sympathetic. Concerned. "Ye dinnae deserve that."
"It daesnae matter what I deserve." Ada's voice was bitter. "I'm his wife. His property. I have nay say in anythin'."
"That's nae true."
"It is true!" Ada let fresh tears fall. "I thought maybe, if I tried hard enough, if I was useful enough, he might—" She stopped, shook her head. "But he'll never see me as anythin' more than an obligation. A burden he's forced to carry."
Donnan was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, "What if ye didnae have tae stay?"
Ada's heart jumped, but she kept her expression confused. "What tae ye mean?"
"I mean—" Donnan glanced down the corridor, then back at her. "What if there was a way tae leave? Tae go somewhere ye'd be appreciated?"
"I cannae leave. The Pact forbids that."
"The Pact is just words on parchment. Words can be changed. Circumstances can be explained." Donnan moved closer. "If ye were unhappy here, if Magnus was treatin' ye poorly—the king would understand. Yer fatiher would understand."
Ada's breath caught. "Me faither?"
"He's been worried about ye. Sent me here specifically tae make sure ye were safe." Donnan's voice was gentle. Persuasive. "And from what I've seen, from what I just heard in that courtyard—ye're nae safe. Nae truly."
"But where would I go? What would I dae?"
"Ye'd go home. Tae the Highlands. Tae yer faither who loves ye and wants tae protect ye." Donnan reached out, touched her arm gently. "He has a plan, Ada. A way tae free ye from this marriage without angerin' the king. But he needs yer help."
Ada let herself look uncertain. Afraid. "What kind of help?"
"Just information. About Magnus's defenses. His routines. Where he goes, who he trusts." Donnan's smile was warm. Trustworthy. "Naethin' that would hurt anyone. Just enough tae prove ye were justified in leavin'."
Ada pretended to consider this. Let the silence stretch just long enough to seem realistic. Then, quietly, "When?"
"Soon. Very soon." Donnan's hand squeezed her arm. "In three days, can ye meet me beyond the eastern wall? Just after sunset. Yer faither will be there. He wants tae see ye. Tae explain everythin' properly."
"The eastern wall." Ada's mind raced. That was near where they'd seen the camp. "I dinnae ken if I can get away without Magnus noticin'."
"Tell him ye need air. That ye're goin' fer a walk tae clear yer head." Donnan's voice was soothing. "He'll believe it. Especially after today."
Ada nodded slowly. "Three days. Eastern wall. Just after sunset."
"Good lass." Donnan's smile widened. "Ye're makin' the right choice. Yer faither will be so pleased tae see ye safe."
He left, and Ada closed the door behind him. Pressed her back against it, her heart hammering.
It had worked. He'd believed her completely.
She waited five minutes—long enough for Donnan to be well away—then slipped out of the chamber. She had to find Magnus. To tell him what Donnan had revealed.
Three days. They had three days to prepare.