"Aye," Ragnar agreed. "She'll keep ye honest."
"Someone needs tae," Ivar added with a grin.
Erik was last. He embraced Magnus briefly, then turned to Ada. "If he gives ye trouble, send word. We'll come knock some sense intae him."
"I dinnae think that'll be necessary," Ada said. "But thank ye."
Claricia hugged Ada tightly despite her swollen belly. "Be patient with him," she whispered. "And with yerself. It gets easier."
"How will I ken when it's easier?"
"When ye stop feelin' like ye're facin' an enemy and start feelin' like ye're facin' a partner." Claricia pulled back, smiled. "Give it time."
They left in a flurry of farewells and well-wishes. Brian went with them, carrying his precious proof back to the king.
And then, suddenly, it was just Magnus and Ada. Standing in the courtyard. Married. Alone.
"Well," Magnus said after a moment. "That's done."
"Aye." Ada looked up at him. "What dae we dae now?"
Magnus's mouth twitched. "I suppose we figure out how tae be married."
"Any ideas how tae dae that?"
"Nae a one." But his hand found hers, his fingers threading through hers with surprising gentleness. "But we'll work it out. Eventually."
Ada squeezed his hand, felt him squeeze back.
Maybe Claricia was right. Maybe it would get easier.
She hoped so.
Because despite the fear, the confusion, and the awkwardness of the previous night, she found herself wanting their marriage to work.
Wanting Magnus to look at her the way Erik looked at Claricia. With trust. With affection.
Maybe even with love. Someday.
CHAPTER TWELVE
"Where are we goin'?"
Ada's voice carried across the courtyard as Magnus tightened the girth on his stallion. The morning was cold and clear, the kind of day that made Barra's rocky landscape look beautiful despite being harsh.
"Ridin'," Magnus said without looking up.
"I gathered that much. But where tae?"
"Around the island. Ye need tae ken the land if ye're goin' tae be lady here." Magnus finished with his horse, moved to check Ada's mare. "There are paths ye should ken. Places tae avoid. Hidden routes in case of emergency."
"In case of emergency?" Ada's eyebrows rose. "What kind of emergencies are ye expectin'?"
"The kind that happen when ye rule an island full of stubborn Norsemen and suspicious Highlanders." Magnus gave the mare's saddle a final check. "Dae ye need help mountin'?"
Ada's chin lifted, that stubborn gesture he was beginning to recognize. "I can ride perfectly well, thank ye very much."
She proved it by swinging into the saddle with practiced ease, settling herself without any fuss. Magnus felt a flicker of approval. At least he wouldn't have to worry about her falling off every time the path got rough.
