Page 71 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Out of nowhere, an object landed on her belly, and she screamed, pushing it toward him. He stopped swimming for a moment, staring at this odd object that floated in front of him. It was white, a sizable chunk of something. He tried to bat it away, but the odd thing was light as could be and stayed on top of the water, floating back to them.
“What is it?”
“I have no idea, Sheona, but it floats. I want you to hold it close to you. It won’t cut you or anything. It’s smooth. It must be some type of wood. Mayhap it fell from the tree that was hit by lightning. Hang on to it. It may help you.”
She clutched the object to her belly, her hands shivering. “Go ahead. I’ll kick when I can.”
He moved onto his back again and continued, surprised at how much easier it was to slide through the water.
“Taskill, this is better! I think we’ll make it. Is it easier for you?”
“Aye, it is. Much easier. We’ll be successful with this help.” He glanced over his shoulder, the rain now light, the wind having died down enough for him to see the shore. They were almost there.
They continued, Taskill catching drops of water occasionally to keep his thirst quenched. There was nothing like fresh rain to refresh yourself. He noticed Sheona did the same.
“You made it! Well done!” a youthful voice called to them.
Taskill nearly let go of Sheona, but he held tight, leaning forward to look back over his shoulder. Who the hell had just spoken? To his surprise, his feet touched the bottom. “Sheona! We made it. Touch. You can touch!”
“Welcome!” the voice said. “I’ve been waiting for you. I have the perfect place for you to warm up. Follow me!”
“What the hell?” Taskill turned around, now holding Sheona’s hand to keep her close in the small waves as they made their way to shore.
Sheona asked, “Who was that?” Then she stared around her. “Where did my thing go? The thing that kept me afloat?”
A lass stood on the edge of the beach. “I sent it away. You no longer need it. Follow me.”
Lia stood before them with a wide smile.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Sheona
Sheona was so grateful to be on land that she didn’t care where they went, as long as she could dry out somewhere. The rain continued, but at a much slower pace. Taskill reached back to take her hand, his gaze asking her permission first. She nodded.
She’d go anywhere with Taskill.
Lia said, “Follow me. There’s a lovely cottage up ahead that has a chest with extra clothes and a warm fire. There’s dried meat and cheese with some apples. I hope I’ve thought of everything. Eat your fill and rest up. I’m sure people will be looking for you when morn comes.”
“You aren’t leaving us, are you?” Sheona asked, still unable to believe a wee lass wielded such power.
“I must. But I’ve left you all you need. Do not worry. You’ve been through the worst of your journey.” She opened the door to the cottage and held it for them. “You see? The flames are prepared to warm you. There’s wine and food aplenty. If you search through the chests, you’ll find clothing for both of you. Rest yourselves and promise me you won’t leave until after dawn.”
Taskill said, “I don’t have the strength to leave before then.”
“A good eve to you, then,” Lia said, closing the door.
“Wait!” Taskill called out.
“Aye?”
“Where are we? Mull? Iona?”
“Nay,” she said as she stepped out. “You missed Mull. You’re on Erraid. Not far from Iona and Mull. Fear not. Just wait for low tide.”
And Lia left.
“Taskill, where is Erraid?”
