They reached their chamber. Ada immediately moved to the basin, poured fresh water, gathered clean cloth. "Sit."
"I'm fine standin'."
"Sit."
Magnus sat.
Ada moved behind him, began easing his shirt off his shoulders. Her fingers were gentle, careful not to pull at the burned fabric where it stuck to his skin.
"This is goin' tae hurt," she warned.
Ada pulled the last of the shirt away. Magnus hissed.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Just dae what ye need tae dae.”
Ada wet a cloth and began cleaning the wound with careful, methodical movements. Magnus gritted his teeth against the sting.
"Ye're lucky. It's nae as bad as it looks," Ada said after a moment. "But it's burned as well as cut. "
"Lucky. Right."
"Hold still." Ada's fingers moved across his back, checking for other injuries. Her touch was professional, clinical.
But Magnus felt it like fire.
She was so close he could smell her—that herb-scent from her hair, clean linen from her shift. Could feel her breath against his neck as she leaned in to examine the wound more closely.
"Ada," he said, his voice rougher than intended.
"Aye?"
What was he trying to say? That having her touch him like that was torture? That every careful press of her fingers against his skin made him want to pull her into his lap and kiss her until neither of them could breathe?
"Daes it hurt?" Ada asked quietly.
"Nay. It's fine." Magnus forced himself to sit still. "Are ye almost done?"
"Almost." Ada wrapped clean linen around his shoulder, securing it with practiced efficiency. "There. Mairi can look at it later, make sure I didnae miss anythin', but it should heal clean."
"Thank ye."
Ada moved around to face him. She was close—close enough that Magnus could see the gold flecks in her hazel-green eyes, could count the freckles across her nose.
"Ye scared me," she said softly. "When I saw ye run intae the stable. I thought?—"
A knock at the door.
"Me laird?" Torvald's voice. "The Council's gatherin'. They're waitin' fer ye."
Magnus cursed under his breath. "Aye. I'll be there shortly."
Ada stepped back, her hand falling away. The loss of her touch felt physical.
"Go," she said. "They need ye."
Magnus stood, pulled on a clean shirt despite the protest from his injured shoulder. "Stay in the keep today. Please. Until we ken what's happenin'."
