He was protecting her. Being ridiculously overprotective, maybe, but still. It felt... nice. Safe.
They reached their chamber. Magnus kicked the door open, led her inside, and set her down gently on the edge of the bed.
"There," he said. "Safe."
Ada looked up at him. His jaw was tight, his shoulders tense. He'd been genuinely worried, she realized. Not just about propriety or what people might see, but abouther.
"Thank ye," she said quietly.
Magnus nodded once. "I'll have Isla bring up water fer a bath."
"Aye. That would be good."
He moved toward the door, paused. "Ada?"
"Aye?"
"Dinnae ever scare me like that again. When I saw ye fallin'…" He stopped, shook his head. "Just dinnae."
Then he was gone, closing the door firmly behind him.
Ada sat on the bed, her heart still racing, and tried to make sense of what had just happened.
Magnus had been terrified when she'd fallen. Had caught her without hesitation. Had wrapped her in his cloak to help her feel warm and held her till she was all right. Helping her through the courtyard and snarling at anyone who dared look at her.
And that warmth in her chest grew stronger.
An hour later, Ada felt almost human again.
The bath Isla had prepared was gloriously hot, scented with herbs that soothed her aching muscles. Ada had scrubbed awayevery trace of dirt and stagnant water, washed her hair until it squeaked clean, and wrapped herself in a soft robe Isla had left warming by the fire.
Now she sat by the window, combing through her damp hair, watching the sun begin its descent toward the horizon.
She should rest. Should probably eat something, Isla had left bread and cheese on the table. But Ada felt restless, her mind still turning over everything that had happened that day.
And she had found out from Isla that Mairi—the castle healer—had returned from Lewis that morning.
She wanted to meet her. Wanted to learn from someone with real training, real knowledge. Wanted to prove that she could be useful here in ways beyond just being Magnus's wife.
Ada dressed quickly, braided her damp hair back, and slipped out of the chamber.
The corridor was quiet. Most people were likely at supper in the great hall, or finishing their day's work. Ada made her way down the winding stairs, heading toward the healer's chambers on the ground floor.
She'd nearly reached them when a familiar voice made her stop.
"Lady Ada."
She turned. Donnan stood a few paces behind her, that easy smile on his face.
Ada's stomach tightened. "Donnan. What are ye daein' here?"
"I could ask ye the same question, me lady." He moved closer. "Ye look well. I heard there was some trouble in yer ridin’ today?"
"How did ye—" Ada stopped. Of course, he'd heard. Gossip spread through a keep like wildfire. "I'm fine. The laird was there."
"Aye, I heard that too. Very... protective, from what they're sayin'." Donnan's gaze swept over her. "That's good. A woman needs a strong husband. Especially in a place like this, so far from home."
"Barra is me home now."
