"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 lastferever. 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'sif—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.
