Page 68 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Her arms spun about his neck in a fierce grip. “DO NOT LET GO OF ME, NELLA!” were his final words before all was lost in her scream as the force soared them through the air again right off the falls into the abyss.
Gripping her body, he crushed her close, wedging her between him and the log on the violent descent. His fingers were wrought with splinters at the bark piercing his fervent grip on the life giver. They cleared the stone beneath!
Splash!They landed feet first in the fresh waterscape before the force dragged them under.Nella… Nella’s grip is beginning to slip.He gave an inward roar. Tightening his fingers on the log and pressing her harder to him, he kicked till his legs turned burned like the sun at midday. His feet hit something. Was it the riverbed? Aye!Push.Push with all you are! She does not die here!
There! Kick harder, dammit!
Straining upward, the water seeped his throat while he thrusted them skyward. They popped up above the surface. The rain from the waterfall smacking his face, he continued his rough kicks then quick as the whole tempest in water began, it stilled as they reach a tranquil pool.
Nella sagged against him. Wait, it was more than this… She had gone completely limp! Blinking heavily, he stared down at her closed eyes while he maneuvered them toward the shore rapidly.
“Nella?” Nothing but silence!
Movement caught the corner of his eye as the sound from hoofbeats echoed over the waterfall’s roar. Standing in the waist-deep water, he lifted her against him awkwardly as his arms protested from all the effort to see them onto dry land.
Was she breathing? He pressed his cheek to her nose as a splash crashed next to them.
“Holger,” he gasped as the Northman appeared beside… “Brayden, she is not breathing!”
Both grasped her then touted her carefully toward the mossy shore while he trudged through the water which was like a bog to his exhausted legs.
Kameron threw down his cloak which the pair laid her upon as Callum collapsed onto his knees next to her. She was so pale! He swallowed the fear which gripped his throat in a vice. Leaning forward, he pressed his cheek close toward her nose. Was that breath or just a wisp from wind which sang across the grasses beyond them?
“Nella,” he whispered, “breathe, lass, please, fight. You are the strongest Scotswoman I have ever known; search for this now. Our story does not end here. Not upon this shore. Not yet.”
Silence. Only the roar from the waterfalls met his plea.
“My friend,” Brayden half sobbed, “I believe she is nae longer with us.”
Callum’s eyes remained fixated on Nella.No.Think. Think, dammit! He wasn’t the same lad as the one which was chased away the night from the stables all those years ago. Stronger. He was stronger now – fight for her! Think.The water. What had the Templars told him once regarding their times in Egypt… He quickly scrambled more onto his knees beside her then lowered his mouth toward hers.
“Callum,” Holger grunted, grabbing his shoulder, “I will not stand by and allow you to be kissing a lady who—”
Ouff.Callum whirled about after elbowing the Northman in the groin. “Leave me be!” Callum snarled before retaking his stance beside Nella.
Opening her mouth, he lowered in haste then blew a breath into her lips. Sucking in fresh air through his nose, herepeated the action again and again. Her lips were so cold and still.He crushed his lashes closed, dragged the largest inhale of his life, then thrust the air into her with every fiber of his soul.
BY ALL SOULS ABOVE, PLEASE BREATHE!
His palms steady on her ribs, he pressed his brow to hers for a moment. There… there was a quiver! He pressed his breath into her again – hard. Harder! Fight for her!
Water hit his tongue; he shot backward as she gave a heavy cough then spewed the river water onto her chin.
“My lady!” the three behind shouted in unison at the miraculous sight.
Cough. Cough.
Callum leaned her onto her side as she choked out the water from falls. Callum brushed her hair stuck on her forehead back before he gave a sob while clucking her close to him.
“Callum,” she whimpered, tucking her cheek under his chin. Warmth returned into her flesh while she pressed her temple closer.
“I have you, Nella,” he murmured, locking her to him as hands slapped him on the back proudly from the three onlookers.
Safe. She was safe. He glanced skyward.Thank you!
Chapter 36
Rescued! Did she ever think Callum would revive her after being pitched over the falls? No. As she blinked, the moment the girth broke on the saddle before the water slapped her face appeared again. She popped her gaze open, and her hands shook on the goblet in her grasp.Move on, don’t think about it – or try not to think about it.
