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.
