I stared up at the starry sky and deliberated how best to tell Henry. My story was quite simple really, it was getting things off to a good start that required some delicacy. Once he returned with the blanket, I would be responsible for completely altering his worldview. The task was daunting, and I struggled to come up with just the right words.
A long time ago the goddess Brigid married a high king of Ireland...
Much too fairytale. Henry might think I was relating a bedtime story rather than my genealogy.
All is not as it may seem...
Too vague and convoluted. Besides, he had this part pretty well figured out by now.
I am a direct descendant of the goddess Brigid...
Better, but overly blunt for my purposes. I needed to warm him up to the idea before fully disclosing my identity.
The perfect words eluded me. Discouraged, I pushed away from the carriage house and walked across the lawn to stare down at the waning moon reflected in the pond’s dark surface. Maybe it would be better to just speak freely, saying whatever popped into my head first. Henry was going to believe me or not, regardless if I had rehearsed every word in advance.
Soft footsteps approached in the grass behind me. It’s now or never, I thought and turned, anxious to be done with it. “Henry, I’ve no idea how...”
Something struck me hard in the head and everything went black.
*
I had no recollection of being lifted from the grass or traversing the short distance to the pond. The cool water jerked me awake, pulled at my hair and dress, and flowed over my face. Positioned on my back, I instinctively twisted around, frantically reaching out for anything to grab onto. Gaining two handfuls of wet wool, I yanked hard to bring my face back above the water.
Nathan gripped me tight around the ribcage, forcing me back down. “It is better for one to die...” I heard him say before the water rushed over me again. Kicking out, I caught him hard in the leg. He stumbled back, and I came up, gasping for air.
“You are an abomination!” Lunging, he caught hold of my arm and wrenched it painfully. “Suffer not a witch to live!”
I tried to pull away, but the water swirled around my waist, and yards of wet linen and silk clung to my legs. Nathan yanked me around and, digging his fingers into my shoulder, forced me back under. This time he used the other hand to grab my skirts, effectively binding my legs as he hoisted them upward. I was trapped, my head beneath the water with only my arms left to fight. I flailed wildly, clutching at the long pond grass all around me.
My lungs burned for air and I clenched my teeth to keep from gulping a mouthful of water. Black spots dotted my vision. They grew larger, started to close in like a death shroud. Gracious God, please help me...
Nathan suddenly jerked to the side and his grip slackened. Before my feet found the bottom, someone grabbed my arms, pulling me from the pond, and I found myself sprawled on the grassy bank, gasping for air.
Henry knelt at my side, water dripping from his clothing and hair. While I sputtered and coughed, he gently rubbed my back and arms, soothing me with his touch.
A loud splash came from the pond. I tensed at once, but Henry showed no concern over the noise. A man grunted, and there was more splashing, followed by the meaty thump as something heavy was dropped in the grass.
“Nathan,” I rasped. “Where is he?”
Henry pushed several strands of wet hair from my face. “You needn’t worry about him.”
“But—”
“Shh,” he soothed “You’re safe now.” He then shifted his weight to the side, and I blinked at the sight of Nathan, lying on his back, an arrow deep in his left side.
Teme bent down for a closer look. “He will die soon,” he said, satisfied with his work.
I pushed myself up for a better look, only to find Nathan staring at me. Soon was a bit too long for my liking—I wanted the man dead now.
His strength gone, Nathan could barely lift his arm as he tried to reach for me. “Please help me, Selah,” he pleaded in a hoarse whisper. “Don’t let me die.”
I flinched as though struck. It didn’t make any sense. Nathan despised me, despised my gift. Why would he ask me to heal him?
“Help me, Selah,” Nathan said again, the words barely audible. He met my eyes with such a look that it was impossible to pretend I didn’t hear.
“Awwwww!” I cried out in fit of rage. Of course I could help him, and now that he had asked, I was obligated to act. Getting to my knees, I started crawling toward him.
Henry tried stopped me. “What are you doing? The wound is too serious. Let the man die.”
I strained against his hold. “I can’t. He’s asked for my help.”
“But there’s nothing to be done. The arrow’s too deep, even the best surgeon couldn’t help him now.”