Chapter 19
Moira kept her eyes and mouth shut as she felt the water take her.
She flailed, trying to return to the surface, but the water was heavier than she suspected, and the bottom was deeper.
She kicked out with her feet in an attempt to find the bottom and rise back to the surface, but there was nothing below her.
The dress she wore was heavy and didn’t help in her effort to rise back up.
She knew how to swim, and she knew how disorienting the water could be, so she had to open her eyes.
The water was murky, but she saw things floating in it, as though they were suspended there.
Empty-eyed cats and lifeless rats floated towards her, and she kicked away.
A stream of bubbles cascaded from the corner of her mouth as she tried to fight her way away from them, but they seemed to be everywhere.
She flailed her arms in a panic, and her lungs burned as she tried to make her way back to break the surface of the water.
She screamed instinctively as something brushed her arm, and then two strong hands gripped her and helped her emerge, bringing her gasping to the surface.
Drenched and slimy, Moira wiped her eyes and looked up, expecting to see that one of the men had taken pity on her and saved her, but it was actually Niall.
Moira was relieved to see him—amazed to see him, in fact.
She briefly forgot that she was covered in slime and waste and smiled, grateful that he had come to rescue her when she was in need.
She searched his eyes for any sign of compassion, but she was afraid that she would not be able to believe what she saw.
She had already deluded herself before, and she wasn’t ready to dare hope again.
Niall held out his hand and helped her up.
Moira hesitated for a moment before she took it, telling herself that what had transpired between them didn’t matter right now; what mattered was that he had turned up when she needed him.
Niall turned to the men and shook his head.
The men cowered. The one who had pushed Moira in had made his way to the back of the crowd, standing beside a horse in the hope that it could shield him from whatever Niall was going to say.
Niall looked impressive with his sword hanging from his waist and his stern visage.
He looked every inch a laird, and Moira couldn’t prevent a flicker of desire from entering her heart.
“How dare ye hurt my wife! This is Lady Calbraith, and I amnae gaeing tae stand for anyone wounding her. I saw what ye did, and I cannae let it stand. I will figure out a way tae deal with ye later. What ye hae done here is thoughtless.” He beckoned for his guards with a snap of his fingers.
They emerged from the forest like phantoms and took the grumbling men into custody, leading them away. As they did so, Niall turned to Moira.
“Are ye well?” he asked.
Moira looked down at her soaked body. “About as well as I could be given the circumstances. What are ye daeing here?”
“I was worried about ye when I heard that ye haed gone looking for the Kelpie. After what ye said last night, I thought I haed better hae a word with Grizel, and she told me that you were going to face the creature. Ye were mad tae come out here alone, Moira,” he said, his words an equal part of frustration and concern.
Moira smiled sheepishly. “Well, I didnae think ye would come with me if I told ye I was gaeing tae hunt a Kelpie.”
Niall pursed his lips and rested one hand on his hip. “Aye, a funny-looking Kelpie indeed. I told ye that there was no such thing as spirits.”
“And it was naething tae dae with Marcas either,” Moira said pointedly.
Tension rose around them and she felt an uncomfortable sensation wrapping around her heart.
The initial joy of seeing Niall coming to rescue her had faded, and was now replaced by the familiar sensations of uncertainty.
What was she supposed to think when she looked into his eyes? Had anything truly changed?
Niall took a few moments to respond. He seemed to have much on his mind, but he looked pensive and weary. He stroked his chin and looked at her directly in the eyes.
“I’m sorry for doubting ye, Moira. Thank ye for getting tae the bottom of this. I am in yer debt,” he said. Moira could barely believe her ears. An apology from Niall! And it was sincere as well. She smiled and arched an eyebrow.
“Can I get ye tae say that again, but this time in front of everyone else?” she teased.
Niall smiled. “It’s just for ye,” he said.
The smile fell from his face, and he looked concerned.
“I was worried that I would never see ye again once ye ran off tae danger.” Then, he kissed her.
It was a tender kiss, all but too brief.
Niall leaned back and tilted his head, smacking his lips taegether.
“We hae a lot tae talk about, but I think we should get ye back home sae that ye can hae a bath. That water…that is nae good water.” He wiped his lips and they laughed.
Niall led Moira to a horse and they rode back home, leaving the misty loch behind.