Chapter 32
Magnus was in the war room reviewing supply lists when Ada burst through the door, her face flushed and her breathing rapid.
"He believed me," she said without preamble. "Donnan. He came tae our chamber right after the argument. He believed every word."
Magnus set down the parchment, his full attention on her now. "What did he say?"
"That me faither's been worried about me. That he has a plan tae free me from the marriage without angerin’ the king." Ada moved closer, her voice dropping. "He wants me tae meet him beyond the eastern wall in three days. Just after sunset. Says me faither will be there."
"Absolutely nae." The words were out before Magnus could stop them. "Ye're nae goin'."
"Magnus."
"I said nay." He stood, moved around the table. "It's one thing tae deceive Donnan inside these walls where I can protect ye. It's another thing entirely tae send ye outside tae meet with armed men who want me dead."
"But this is our chance."
"It's too dangerous." Magnus's voice was firm. "If yer faither even suspects ye're lyin', if Donnan doubts ye fer a moment—Ada, they'd kill ye. Or worse, use ye as a hostage against me."
"I can handle meself."
"Against trained soldiers? Against yer own faither, who's already proven he sees ye as naethin' more than a tool?" Magnus's hands curled into fists. "Nay. The answer is nay."
Ada's expression hardened. "Ye dinnae get tae make that decision fer me."
"I'm yer husband. It's exactly me decision tae make."
"I'm nae some fragile thing that needs constant protection!" Ada's voice rose. "I've survived on me own fer years before ye. I've learned tae fight, tae defend meself."
"And none of that matters if ye walk into a camp full of armed men who want ye dead or worse!" Magnus moved closer, his own voice rising to match hers. "Dae ye nae understand what they could dae tae ye? What yer faither could dae?"
"I understand perfectly! Better than ye, probably, since I lived under his cruelty fer years!" Ada's eyes flashed with anger. "But I also understand that if we dinnae act now, if we just wait and hope yer allies arrive in time, more people will die. Yer people. People I care about."
"Then we'll find another way."
"There is nay other way!" Ada threw up her hands in frustration. "This is our best chance tae end this without a full battle. Tae find out exactly what they're plannin’. But ye're too busy bein' overprotective tae see it!"
"I'm nae bein' overprotective, I'm bein' realistic." Magnus's jaw clenched. "Ye have nay idea what ye're askin' me tae dae. Tae just let ye walk intae danger."
"I'm nae askin' yer permission!" Ada moved right up to him, had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "I'm tellin' ye what I'm goin' tae dae. And ye can either help me plan it properly, or I'll dae it alone."
"The hell ye will." Magnus's hands shot out, gripped her shoulders. "Ye're nae goin' anywhere near that camp, and that's final."
"Ye cannae stop me."
"Watch me." His voice dropped dangerously low. "I'll lock ye in this chamber if I have tae. Post guards outside the door. Whatever it takes tae keep ye safe."
Ada's laugh was bitter. "So ye'd make me a prisoner? Just like me faither did?"
The words hit like a physical blow. Magnus's hands dropped from her shoulders as though she'd burned him.
"That's nae the same," he said quietly. "I'm tryin' tae protect ye."
"By takin' away me choices. By decidin' what's best fer me without askin' what I want." Ada's voice shook slightly. "That's exactly what me father did. Exactly what every man in me life has done. Decided I was too weak, too foolish, too fragile tae make me own decisions."
"Ada, that's nae what I meant."
"Then what did ye mean?" She moved closer again, her finger poking his chest. "Because from where I'm standin', it sounds like ye dinnae trust me. Dinnae believe I can dae this."
"I trust ye completely. It's the situation I dinnae trust."
"Then trust that I ken what I'm daein'. Trust that I wouldnae suggest this if I didnae think it would work." Ada's eyes searched his face. "Please, Magnus. We're runnin' out of time. If we wait too long, if we let them make the first move…"
"Then we lose. I ken that." Magnus ran a hand through his hair, frustration and fear warring in his chest. "But Ada, if somethin' happens tae ye—if I let ye dae this and ye get hurt—I couldnae live with that."
He stopped, his throat tight.
Ada's expression softened slightly. "I ken ye're afraid. So am I. But I'm also tired of bein' afraid. Tired of lettin' fear make me decisions fer me." Her hand came up to rest against his chest. "I need tae dae this, Magnus. Fer me. Fer us. Fer everyone on this island."
Magnus stared down at her, saw the determination in her eyes. The strength. The absolute certainty that she was right.
And realized that no matter how much he wanted to keep her safe, no matter how much the thought of losing her terrified him, he couldn't make that choice for her.
She deserved better than that. Deserved to be treated as a partner, not a possession.
"If we dae this," he said finally, his voice rough, "we dae it with rules. With precautions. With backup plans."
Hope flared in Ada's eyes. "Ye'll let me go?"
"I hate it. I hate everythin' about it. But aye." Magnus pulled her close, pressed his forehead against hers. "But if anythin' feels wrong, if ye sense danger fer even a moment, ye get out. I dinnae care about the plan or the information. Ye get out and ye come back tae me. Understood?"
"Understood." Ada's arms wrapped around his waist. "Thank ye. Fer trustin' me."
"Dinnae make me regret it." Magnus's hands moved up her back, held her tight. "Because if anythin' happens tae ye, I'll tear this island apart lookin' fer whoever's responsible."
Ada pulled back enough to look at him. "I'll be careful. I promise."
Magnus wanted to say more. Wanted to tell her exactly how terrified he was of losing her. But the words stuck in his throat, replaced by a different kind of urgency.
He kissed her. Hard. Desperate. Pouring every ounce of fear and love and need into it.
Ada responded immediately, her hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer. The kiss turned heated, frantic, both of them seeking reassurance in the only way they knew how.
Magnus's hands moved to the laces of her gown, working them loose with shaking fingers. Ada's own hands were equally unsteady as she tugged at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers.
Magnus lifted her onto the table, scattered parchments falling to the floor as he stepped between her legs. Ada's gown fell open, and Magnus's mouth moved to her throat, her shoulder, tasting salt and fear.
"Magnus," she breathed, her head falling back.
"I need ye." His voice was rough against her skin. "Need tae feel that ye're here. That ye're safe."
"I'm here." Ada's legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. "I'm right here."
What followed was desperate and consuming.
Magnus took her there on the table, both of them clinging to each other like they were afraid to let go.
And when release finally came, when they collapsed against each other breathing hard, Magnus held her like she was the only thing keeping him anchored to this world.
"I love ye," he whispered against her hair. "Gods, Ada, I love ye so much it terrifies me."
"I love ye too." Ada's hands framed his face, made him look at her. "Which is why I'm goin' tae come back. I promise ye, Magnus. I'll come back."
He wanted to believe her. Wanted to have faith that everything would work out.
But the fear wouldn't leave. Wouldn't let him rest.
The next morning brought unexpected relief.
Magnus was breaking his fast in the great hall when shouting from the courtyard caught his attention. He rose immediately, his hand going to his sword, expecting trouble.
Instead, he saw ships docking at the harbor. Four of them, sails marked with familiar sigils.
The other jarls. They'd come.
Magnus's chest loosened slightly as he watched Harald disembark first, followed by Ragnar, then Ivar. And finally—
"Erik." Magnus clasped his friend's arm in greeting. "I didnae expect ye fer days yet."
"Yer letter made it sound urgent. We sailed through the night." Erik's expression was grim. "Tell me what's happenin'."
Within the hour, all the jarls were gathered in the war room along with Magnus's council. Ada stood near the back, listening as Magnus explained everything—the poisoned wells, the fire, the attack on Ada, discovering Conall's camp in the woods.
"And now Ada's convinced Donnan she wants to escape," Magnus finished. "He's arranged fer her tae meet with her faither in two days. Beyond the eastern wall."
"And ye're lettin' her go?" Harald's eyebrows rose. "That's madness."
"I ken that." Magnus's jaw tightened. "But it's our best chance tae catch them off guard. Tae end this before it becomes a full battle."
"Or it's a trap." Ragnar's voice was calm but concerned. "MacTavish isnae a fool. He might suspect somethin'."
"Which is why we'll have men followin' her," Torvald explained. "Hidden. Ready to strike the moment she signals."
"What signal?" Ivar asked.
Ada spoke up from the back. "I'll cause some kind of distraction—knock over a lantern, maybe, like last time. Somethin' that'll create chaos and give ye time to attack while they're confused."
The jarls exchanged glances.
"It could work," Erik said finally. "If the timin's right. If everythin' goes exactly as planned."
"A lot of 'ifs,'" Harald pointed out.
"Aye. But we're runnin' out of options." Magnus moved to the map, indicated where they'd seen the camp.
"MacTavish has maybe fifteen men we've seen.
But there could be more. Our own forces are weakened from the poisoned wells and the fire.
Even with yer reinforcements, a direct assault would be costly. "
"But a surprise attack, while they're distracted?" Ragnar nodded slowly. "That gives us better odds."
"What about the king?" Ivar leaned forward. "If we attack first, even if it's on our own land, MacTavish could claim we started it."
"Already thought of that." Magnus pulled out a sealed letter. "I'm sendin' word tae the king today. Explainin' that we've discovered hostile forces on Barra, that we're defendin' our own territory. If MacTavish tries tae claim otherwise, the king will already have our version of events."
"Smart." Erik's expression showed approval.
"Two days from now, just after sunset," Magnus's gaze found Ada across the room, "Ada will leave the keep as though goin' fer a walk. Donnan will meet her, take her to the camp. We'll follow at a distance, spread out so they dinnae spot us all at once."
"And if somethin' goes wrong?" Harald asked. "If MacTavish suspects the trap?"
"Then we attack anyway. Full force. Whatever it takes tae get Ada out safely." Magnus's voice was iron. "That's nae negotiable."
The jarls nodded their agreement.
"All right," Erik said. "Then we have two days tae prepare. Tae position men, tae plan our approach. Torvald, show us the terrain. We need tae ken every rock, every tree, every possible escape route."
As the men bent over the maps, discussing strategy and logistics, Ada caught Magnus's eye. She smiled slightly, trying to be reassuring.
But Magnus couldn't return it. Because despite all the planning, despite having his closest allies here to help, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go terribly wrong.
Two days. That's all they had.
Two days until Ada walked into danger, and Magnus had to trust that he'd be fast enough, strong enough, to save her if things fell apart.
Two days until everything they'd built together was put to the ultimate test.
He just hoped they'd both survive it.