"But Ada—" Magnus's gaze found her. "She's here because of the Pact. Because the king forced it. And now her faither's usin' that against us."
"I'm sorry." Ada's voice was thick with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted—I didnae ken he would dae that."
Magnus crossed to her in three strides, pulled her into his arms. "This isnae yer fault. Dae ye hear me? None of it."
"But he's me faither. I still need tae take responsibility."
"Blood means naething." Magnus's voice was fierce. "Ye said it yerself earlier. Ye chose me. Chose Barra. That makes us more family here than he could ever be."
Ada buried her face against his chest. "I just—I saw him down there. In that camp. And I realized he really would have killed me if it served his purpose."
"Then he's a fool." Magnus pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Because ye're worth more than all his schemes combined."
Torvald cleared his throat. "I'll leave ye two alone. Get started on those letters."
"Thank ye," Magnus said.
When Torvald had gone, Magnus held Ada for a long moment. Feeling her trembling against him. Wishing he could take away the pain of her father's betrayal.
"We'll get through this," he murmured. "I promise ye."
"I ken." Ada looked up at him, her eyes red but determined. "I trust ye."
And somehow, despite everything, those three words gave Magnus the strength to face whatever came next.
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 conversationwe'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."
