"Wantin' someone and forcin' them are two different things." Magnus moved back to his chair. "We have time, Ada. We have the rest of our lives to figure this out. There's nay need tae rush just because Brian needs a bloody sheet in the mornin'."
Ada lay back against the pillows, her mind spinning. He wanted her. He'd said it plainly, without hesitation. But he was willing to wait. Willing to sleep in an uncomfortable chair rather than make her do something she wasn't ready for.
"The chair looks uncomfortable," she said quietly.
"I've slept in worse places."
"There's enough room in the bed. If ye wanted tae" Ada's face burned. "I mean, we dinnae have tae dae it, we could just sleep. Separately. But in the same bed."
Magnus was quiet for so long she thought he'd refuse. Then he stood, moved to the other side of the bed, and lay down on top of the covers—fully clothed, still wearing his boots even.
He kept as much distance between them as the bed allowed.
"Better?" he asked.
"Aye." Ada turned onto her side, facing away from him. "Thank ye. Fer understandin'."
"Get some sleep, Ada. Tomorrow the other jarls leave, and we'll have some peace."
Ada closed her eyes. Tried to relax. But she was acutely aware of Magnus lying just a few feet away. Could hear his breathing, slow and steady. Could feel the slight dip in the mattress from his weight.
He wanted her.
The words kept circling through her mind, warming something deep in her chest.
But he was patient enough to wait. Kind enough to care about her fear more than his own desire.
That mattered. That mattered more than she'd expected.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up with her. Her muscles loosened, her breathing evened out, and she drifted into sleep.
Ada woke to gray morning light and the sound of movement in the chamber.
She sat up quickly, disoriented. The bed beside her was empty, the covers barely disturbed. Magnus stood by the window, already dressed, his back to her.
"What time is it?" Ada asked, her voice rough with sleep.
"Dawn. Maybe a bit past." Magnus turned. His face was drawn, shadows under his eyes suggesting he hadn't slept well. "Brian will be here soon tae collect the sheet."
"Oh." Ada looked down at the white linen, saw the rust-colored stains. "Right."
"Are ye—" Magnus hesitated. "Are ye well?"
"Aye. Just still tired, I suppose." Ada pushed her hair back from her face. "Did ye sleep at all?"
"Some."
Which meant no, Ada guessed. She felt a pang of guilt. He'd hurt himself to protect her, then barely slept because of it.
"Yer hand," she said. "Let me see it."
"It's fine."
"Let me see it." Ada threw back the covers, padded over to where he stood. "
Magnus held out his hand reluctantly. Ada unwrapped the cloth, examined the cut. It was clean, already beginning to heal, but deeper than she'd realized.
"This must hurt," she said quietly.
