“We’re also about to hit the crosswinds at the eastern tip of Skye.” He shoved to his feet, set her back on the bench. “Stay right here while I navigate our way around the headland.”
“Be careful.” She squeezed his hand. “If you get hurt, I willnae be happy.”
“Duly noted, my grumpy one.” He tightened the ties of her brown rawhide coat then marched up the aisle. With the sail’s ropes in hand, he kept one and tossed the other to Hamish. The two of them bounded up onto the side of the boat and braced their feet wide, the ropes twined around their arms and their gazes narrowed on the heaving swell and fierce gale.
The crosswind slammed into them, so hefty and fast, the massive square sail pulled agonizingly taut. The gale sent the galley shooting off like an arrow and she careened along the bench and banged into the side.
Another howling blast hit hard on the heels of the first and their galley rose half out of the water on Duncan and Hamish’s side. Both countered the move, leaning farther back, the two men half out over the water while Duncan’s warriors heaved closer to them and balanced the weight.
They picked up even more speed and skimmed the high waves, while up ahead the high cliffs of Skye rose and the rocky shoreline swelled out into the sea. Waves crashed over black boulders and sprayed high. She needed to find something to secure herself to this seat with, and before they entered the kyle.
Duncan heaved on the ropes and thunder boomed.
Torrential rain slashed at her, stung her nose and cheeks and drenched her through. She heaved to her feet then tumbled over and clawed for a hold on the slick boards of the hull.
“Ella!” Duncan’s biceps bulged as he held the ropes firm and controlled the power of the wind he’d harnessed in the sail. “Slide under the seat. Now.” His voice got half-whipped away on the wind.
The last thing she wished to do was lose sight of him, but get under the seat she would. She scuttled toward the bench but the galley crested a massive wave and she skidded away.
“I’ve got you, my lady.” Ivor plucked her from the planks, his arms firm around her as he kept her from sliding any further, his legs as thick as tree trunks and his body immovable.
“Thank—watch out.” A huge wave loomed and they sailed toward the peak, the bow pitching sharply upward then slamming back down as they soared over it. The sheer force of it tore her from Ivor’s arms and she went flying, right over the side and into the waves.
She hit hard and went down.
Her head shattered with pain, the turbulent waters surging and dragging her ever deeper. The rushing current tossed her about, so deep within the cloying dark and she kicked with all her might and tried to fight the fierce underwater rip. She got churned all about, couldn’t tell which way was up or down anymore. Nay, she had to keep a clear head before she ran out of air. Never would she allow the sea to take her, not now she’d finally found her chosen one and he’d claimed her, and certainly not when Ethan needed her so desperately. Mama too would never survive her death. Papa’s had been hard enough on them all.
She brushed against something and lurched around. Ivor appeared within the murky dark, cinched an arm around her waist and firmed his hold on her. Such piercing green eyes, his pale hair swishing about his face.
He pointed upward and kicked, heaved them both through the twisting current and in a burst of bubbles, they broke the surface as gushing waves slapped over them. “Are you all right?” he yelled over the might of the storm.
“I am now you’re here.” More waves dumped over them and she struggled to stay afloat. Gulping great drafts of chilly, foggy air, she searched through the pelting rain and fog. “I can barely see a few feet in front of me. Where’s the galley?”
“Well gone now. I’ll get us to land.” Ivor stuck one hand in the air, caught the position of the wind. “This way.”
“Ella!” Duncan’s shout blasted from somewhere up ahead.
“Duncan!” She screamed his name as waves tumbled them about. He had to have jumped overboard.
“We’re here,” Ivor yelled.
“I’m coming.” His shout was closer, and then he was there, emerging through the sleet and rain, bobbing overtop of the high swell. Growling low and deadly, he snatched her from Ivor and hauled her fully up against him. “You were supposed to slide under the bench. That damn rogue wave sent you flying.”
“Ivor found me when I couldnae kick back to the surface.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“My laird.” Ivor jabbed a hand in the direction they needed to go. “I can just make out the cliffs of Skye and a bay.”
“Aye, we’ll head there.” Duncan held her tight and heaving deep breaths, propelled them both through the whitecaps. A bird squawked as it soared somewhere overhead and the surf rolled them into shore.