"Go. I should help Mairi anyway," Ada said quickly, biting back a smile.
Magnus shot Torvald a look that promised retribution later, then turned back to Ada. "We'll talk more at supper."
"Aye. At supper."
He walked away, his shoulders tense. Ada watched him go, then headed toward the keep herself.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Let me see yer shoulder."
Magnus looked up from where he sat on the edge of the bed, unlacing his boots. "It's fine."
"It's been three days since the fire. I should check it." Ada moved closer, her hands already reaching for the linen wrapped around his shoulder. "Just let me look."
Magnus sighed but stayed still while she unwrapped the bandage. The burn was healing well, no signs of infection, the skin knitting back together cleanly. Ada traced the edge of it gently with her fingertips.
"It looks good," she said. "Looks like it'll barely scar."
"Ye did good work."
"Mairi did good work. I just cleaned it." Ada rewrapped the shoulder with fresh linen, tying it off securely. "There. All done."
She stepped back, but Magnus caught her wrist gently. "Ada."
"Aye?"
"Thank ye. Fer what ye did in the courtyard today." His thumb brushed against her pulse point. "Me people are talkin' about ye. Sayin' ye're the best thing that's happened tae Barra in years."
Heat flooded Ada's face. "They're just bein' kind."
"They're bein' honest." Magnus released her wrist. "Ye're good fer them."
Ada didn't know what to say to that. So, she moved to the basin, began washing her hands, buying herself time to think.
Behind her, she heard Magnus stand, heard him roll his shoulders. Then heard him wince.
Ada turned. "What's wrong?"
"Naethin'. Just stiff."
"Let me see."
"Ada, I'm fine."
"Let. Me. See." Ada crossed back to him, moved behind him. "Roll yer shoulders again."
Magnus obeyed. Ada watched the way his muscles moved, or didn't move properly. His left side was tight, favoring the injured shoulder. But his neck...
"Tilt yer head tae the left," she said.
Magnus did. Winced again.
"And tae the right."
Another wince.
Ada pressed her fingers gently against the base of his skull, felt the knots there. "How long has yer neck been hurtin'?"
