The cold was a physical shock, stealing his breath. But he ignored it, focused only on reaching Ada. She was struggling to stand, coughing and sputtering, her skirts tangled around her legs.
"I've got ye." Magnus grabbed her around the waist, hauling her against his chest. "Are ye hurt? Did ye hit yer head?"
"I'm fine—" Ada's teeth were already chattering. "Just cold."
"Ye're freezing." Magnus half-carried, half-dragged her to the bank. "We need tae get ye out of those clothes. Now."
"What? Nay, I cannae."
"Ye'll die of cold if ye stay in wet clothes. Dinnae argue." Magnus was already unfastening his cloak with one hand, keeping the other arm around Ada to hold her up. "Get behind this. Strip everythin' off."
"I cannae just striphere."
"Now, Ada!" The fear in his voice came out as anger. "I didnae jump intae a freezin’ stream just tae watch ye die of cold on the bank!"
Ada's eyes widened at his tone, but she nodded. Magnus held his cloak up like a screen, turning his head to give her privacy while keeping the heavy fabric between her and the wind.
Behind the cloak, he heard wet fabric hitting the ground. Ada's breathing was ragged, punctuated by violent shivers.
"All of it," Magnus said. "Everythin' has tae come off."
"I'm tryin'…" More sounds of struggle. "Me fingers are too cold, I cannae dae it."
Magnus closed his eyes, fighting for control. "Tell me when ye're decent."
"There's a blanket, in me saddlebag."
"I'll get it in a moment. Are ye out of the wet clothes?"
"Aye. But I'm, I'm freezing."
Magnus turned, keeping his eyes carefully above her neck level. Ada stood behind the cloak, naked except for the heavy wool fabric she'd clutched to cover herself. Her lips were turning blue, her whole body shaking so hard she could barely stand.
"Come here." Magnus pulled her against his chest, wrapping both his cloak and his arms around her. "I need tae get ye warm."
"Ye're soaked too."
"I'm used tae cold water. Ye're nae." Magnus rubbed her arms through the cloak, trying to generate heat through friction. "God, ye're like ice."
"I'm sorry, I shouldnae have…the race was foolish."
"The race was fine. The stream was bad luck." Magnus tightened his arms around her, felt her press closer instinctively. "Just try tae stop shakin'."
"I'm—I'm tryin'."
Magnus rubbed harder, his hands moving up and down her arms, her back. Trying to bring warmth back into her frozen body. He was acutely aware that she was naked beneath thecloak. That only thin wool separated her skin from his hands. That if he moved wrong, touched wrong, the cloak would slip and?—
He forced the thoughts away. This was about keeping her alive, not about his own desire.
But God, she felt good pressed against him. Small and soft and utterly vulnerable.
"Better?" he asked, his voice rougher than intended.
"A—a little."
"I need tae get the blanket from yer horse. Can ye stand on yer own for a moment?"
"I—I think so."
