"Like I did last night?"
"Aye. But with more force. More intention behind it. Try it now. I'll hold ye, ye break free."
Ada nodded. Magnus wrapped his arm around her waist again, and this time she didn't hesitate. Dropped her weight, drove her elbow back. It connected with his ribs, not hard enough to truly hurt but enough that he felt it.
"Good," Magnus said, releasing her. "Again. Harder this time. Dinnae worry about hurtin' me. I can take it."
They practiced the movement over and over. Each time, Ada grew more confident, her strikes landing with more force. Magnus coached her through it, adjusting her stance, showing her where to aim for maximum impact.
And with each repetition, each moment of contact between them, Magnus felt the tension building. The awareness of her body against his. The way she gasped slightly when his arm tightened around her waist. The heat of her even through layers of fabric.
This was supposed to be about teaching her to defend herself. About keeping her safe.
But God, it was becoming something else entirely.
"All right," Magnus said, his voice strained. "That's good. Now let's work on what tae dae if someone comes at ye from the front."
He faced her, held up his hands. "They're goin' tae reach fer ye. Try tae grab yer arms or shoulders. Yer instinct will be tae back away. But backin' away just gives them room tae advance. So, what dae ye dae?"
"Go forward?" Ada guessed.
"Close, aye. Ye step to the side. Makes their grab miss, puts ye in position tae strike." Magnus demonstrated, moving with the fluid grace of long practice. "See? They reach, ye slip aside, andthen ye've got options. Knee tae the gut if they're bent over. Strike tae the throat if ye can reach it. Or just run like hell if there's an opening."
Ada tried it, her movements clumsy at first but improving with each attempt. Magnus corrected her stance, adjusted the angle of her steps, his hands on her shoulders and hips to guide her positioning.
Each touch felt charged. Electric.
By the time they'd been at it for half an hour, Magnus was acutely aware of every breath she took. Every flush on her cheeks. Every time her eyes met his and held just a moment too long.
"Ye're a fast learner," he said, stepping back to give himself some distance before he did something foolish. "Better than half me men were when they started."
"Maybe I just have a good teacher." Ada's smile was genuine, her eyes bright despite the bruise. "Thank ye, Magnus.
"Ye proved last night ye're resilient." Magnus's expression turned serious. "Ye're strong, Ada. Stronger than ye ken. I just want tae make sure ye stay alive long enough tae realize it."
Movement at the edge of the training yard caught his attention. Torvald, his expression grim.
Magnus's stomach dropped. That look meant bad news.
"Wait here," he told Ada, then crossed to meet his friend.
Torvald spoke low, his words for Magnus alone. "The prisoner. He's dead."
"What?" Magnus's voice came out sharp. Too loud. He forced it lower. "How?"
"The guard found him this mornin' when he went to check on him. Someone slit his throat during the night. Clean cut." Torvald's jaw was tight. "There's a spy in the keep, Magnus. Someone who had access to the dungeons. Someone we trust."
Rage flooded through Magnus, hot and immediate. He wanted to tear the keep apart stone by stone. Wanted to drag every person who'd been near those dungeons and demand answers.
But Ada was watching from across the yard, her expression worried. And he'd promised himself he wouldn't let his anger frighten her.
"Double the guard on the dungeons," Magnus said, his voice cold and controlled despite the fury burning in his chest. "And have Bjorn interview everyone who was on duty last night. I want names. I want tae ken who went where and when."
"Already done."
"Good." Magnus glanced back at Ada. "Dinnae tell her. Nae yet. She's had enough fear fer one day."
"Are ye sure that's wise? If there's someone inside workin' against us?—"
