Chapter Seven

Tamsin

Tamsin fought for as long as she could, but she was losing strength. The man was swimming toward her and quickly, but how long could she hang on? If only Raghnall hadn't beat her so, then perhaps she would be able to support her weight, but as soon as she stepped on her left ankle, it gave way and she collapsed.

She thought the man spoke to her, but his words were a jumble, the sound of the water hitting the rocks drowning out his words.

Under the water she went again, her arms reaching for anything to grab onto but found nothing. She held her breath, the battle within giving up to fatigue, to her fate.

And then an intense pain shot through her, the pain from her belly too strong to be ignored.

She thought of her sweet daughter, how innocent she was. How the wee lass loved with all her heart, always smiling, happily snuggling anyone. Alana was the only thing that made her fight. The thought of the poor girl being at the mercy of Raghnall and his mother made her kick as hard as she could to reach the surface again. Her foot found the rock to give her a place to propel herself up from, and her face broke through the surface of the cold seawater.

She gasped, clearing the water from her eyes and glancing about, shocked to see the man a short distance away.

"I have you. The boat will return for us, so do not panic. I'll keep your head above water. Try to calm down."

As he approached, she grabbed his arms, anything to keep herself safe.

His eyes locked on hers and he assured her, "Careful, now. I'll hold on to you, but you must trust me. You cannot pull me under or this won't work."

He stood on the rock, lifting her easily, his head well above water. He had to be a tall man. "Once we start swimming, you must allow me to hold you, and I'll keep you from drowning."

She nodded, giving in to his wishes. "Please don't leave me." She shivered, giving him the chance to grab on to her, to leverage his body in a way to keep her safe. He shoved off from the rock, and she fell against his powerful torso, his arm slipping around her neck to latch under the opposite arm, guiding her until she slid onto her back, leaning against him, his body keeping her afloat, something she'd never experienced before.

His voice stroked her soul as though he was caressing her skin. "That's right. Lean against me and I'll support you. Concentrate on keeping your eyes on the sky. Do not look anywhere else. Keep your head tipped back and you'll float with me."

Though it was difficult, she did as he asked, tipping her head and staring at the clouds overhead, her body taking on a buoyance she hadn't known possible.

A voice rang out from a distance. Another boat.

"We have her, Thane."

She tensed immediately and his grip tightened. "Don't panic," he said. "It's only my brother. He's talking about my sister. Relax."

Tamsin did as he asked, slowing her breathing as they slid through the water. The man was huge, his body larger than hers in every way. His feet broke the surface way below where hers did, another testament to his height. The muscles in his upper arm rippled as he moved, the powerful waves not bothering him one bit.

"What island are you from?"

"Ulva."

"Your husband left you here?"

"Aye. For not giving him a son and burning his dinner."

"A surly bastard and a mean one too. What's your name?"

"Tamsin. My husband is Raghnall Garvie."

"Well, since you live on Ulva, we'll take you to the Isle of Mull, and you can live with our clan."

She tensed again. "Nay. My daughter. I must go back." She couldn't leave her with the cruel man and his coldhearted mother.

"First, you'll heal. Then you may return. You need a healer if you hope to live to see your daughter again."

"Will you help me find a healer? And then help me get back to Ulva?" She didn't know how else to get back. She surely couldn't swim.

"I can't promise that, but I can promise to find you someone who will help you."

Tamsin relaxed. Even though she knew it was foolish, she had to go back. She wasn't even sure where her daughter was, but she had to see for herself.

Because she knew that if her husband was heartless enough to kill his wife, he'd do the same to their daughter.