"A few days."
"Since the fire?"
"Maybe before."
Ada's hands stilled. "Because ye dinnae sleep comfortably?"
Magnus didn't answer, which was answer enough.
"Ye're hurtin' yerself," Ada said quietly. "Sleepin' like that, dressed and all tae one side, with just a blanket tae cover ye. Yer neck's tied in knots, and yer back probably isnae much better."
"I've slept in worse?—"
"Dinnae say ye've slept in worse places. I ken ye have. But ye dinnaeneedtae sleep like that anymore. There's a perfectly good bed right here." Ada moved around to face him. "We're both exhausted. We've both been workin' ourselves tae death the past few days. And ye're sleepin' on the edge with yer boots on because, because what? Because ye think I'm too delicate tae share a bed without somethin' happenin'?"
Magnus's jaw tightened. "I told ye I wouldnae force ye intae anythin'. I meant it."
"I ken that. But ye're torturin' yerself fer nay reason." Ada took a breath. "We could just... really share the bed. Ye can wear yer night clothes and stay on yer side and we both get some sleep.”
"Ada."
"I trust ye, Magnus." The words came out stronger than she'd intended. "I trust ye nae tae force me. And I feel terrible that ye're in pain because ye're tryin' tae protect me from somethin' I'm nae even afraid of anymore."
Magnus stared at her. "Ye're sure?"
"Aye. I'm sure."
For a long moment, he didn't move. Then he nodded once. "All right."
They prepared for bed in awkward silence. Ada changed into her night shift behind the privacy screen, then climbed under the blankets. Magnus blew out most of the candles, leaving just one burning on the far table. Then he lay down as far from her as the bed allowed.
For days now, he had kept his distance — never letting his body linger too close to hers, never allowing his hands to wander even when the tension between them crackled like a living thing. Part of her understood it. Part of her told herself it was respect, caution, restraint.
But another part of her — the quieter, more vulnerable one — whispered that perhaps it was something else entirely.
Perhaps he simply did not want her.
"Better?" Ada asked.
"Aye."
"Liar. Ye're still stiff as a board."
"I'll be fine."
Ada sighed. "At least turn on yer side. Sleepin' on yer back will make yer neck worse."
Magnus shifted, turning away from her. The bed was large enough that they weren't touching, but Ada could feel his presence—the warmth of him, the steady sound of his breathing.
"Goodnight, Ada."
"Goodnight."
Ada closed her eyes. Tried to relax. But she was acutely aware of Magnus lying just inches away. Could feel the tension radiating from him even with the distance between them.
It was ridiculous. They were married. They'd already shared a bed. And yet they were both lying there like strangers afraid to acknowledge each other's existence.
Eventually, exhaustion won. Ada felt herself drifting, her muscles loosening, her breathing evening out.
