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.
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."
