"Ye could slow us down."
"I'm a good rider."
"Ye—" Magnus stopped, frustrated. "Why dae ye care? These are nae yer people. Ye're only here because the king commanded it."
"Because I can help. A healer cannae ignore the need fer help. It is part of who I am. Because…" She stopped, seemed to gather herself. "Because if I'm tae be lady of this keep, then theyareme people. Whether ye like it or nae."
Magnus studied her face. She meant it, he realized. This wasn't some ploy tae gain his favor or prove something. She genuinely wanted to help.
And God knew they needed help.
"If ye slow us down," he said finally, "I'll send ye back."
Hope flared in her eyes. "I willnae."
"If ye get sick…"
"I willnae."
"And ye'll dae exactly as I say. Nay arguments, nay questions."
"Aye. I promise."
Magnus wanted to refuse anyway. Wanted to send her back to her chamber, where she'd be safe and out of his way and not complicating things further. But Torvald was right, she was his intended bride. His people would have to accept her eventually. And if she truly had healing skills...
"Fine," he said. "But stay close, and dinnae touch anythin' without askin' first."
Ada's face lit up with something that looked dangerously close to gratitude. "Thank ye."
She hurried off to prepare, leaving Magnus standing in the courtyard wondering what he'd just agreed to.
Torvald appeared at his elbow. "That was almost kind of ye."
"Shut up."
"She might actually be useful."
"Or she might be a liability we cannae afford." Magnus moved toward the stables where the horses waited.
They rode out within the hour—Magnus, Torvald, Ada, and two guards. The path to the southern villages wound along the coast, rocky and treacherous in places. The sea churned gray and restless below them, waves crashing against black stone.
Ada rode well, Magnus noted grudgingly. She kept pace without complaint, her seat in the saddle confident despite the rough terrain. She'd borrowed one of Isla's riding gowns and a heavy cloak, both too big for her slight frame, but she didn't seem to care.
They'd been riding for a while when Ada's horse stumbled.
The mare had been favoring her left foreleg for the last mile, Magnus had noticed, though he hadn't said anything. Now she pulled up short with a pained whinny, nearly throwing Ada from the saddle.
Magnus reined in immediately. "Hold."
Ada was already dismounting, moving to examine the horse's leg with quick, practiced movements. Magnus swung down from his own mount and joined her.
"She's pulled somethin'," Ada said, running her hands gently down the mare's leg. "Nae broken, but she shouldnae be ridden."
Magnus cursed under his breath. They were still miles from the village, and turning back would cost hours they didn't have.
"She can ride with me," Torvald offered.
"Nay." Magnus made the decision before he'd fully thought it through. "Yer horse is already carryin' the medical supplies. Theextra weight would slow ye down too much." He looked at Ada. "Ye'll ride with me."
