Page 10 of Promised to the Ruthless Laird
It made him wonder just how many cracks were hidden beneath that polished surface of hers..
The next wave came hard and fast, slamming into the side of the boat with enough force to send water cascading over the edge. Finley barely had time to brace himself before the dinghy rocked violently, forcing him to steady his footing.
But the wave struck Edin squarely, her body lurching forward as she lost her grip. Her hands scrambled for purchase, but the slick, wet surface of the dinghy offered no help.
“Edin!” Finley’s shout cut through the roar of the sea, raw and instinctive.
In one heart-stopping moment, she toppled over the side, arms flailing wildly before the cold, churning water swallowed her whole. The icy spray stung Finley’s face as he leaned over the edge, his heart hammering in his chest. For a moment, the rest of the world faded — the howling wind, the relentless crash of waves, even the unstable dinghy beneath his feet. All he could see was the spot where she had gone under, a swirl of white foam marking her descent.
His chest tightened, panic clawing at his lungs.What if she daesnae come up?
Without hesitation, Finley kicked off his boots and dove in after her. The icy water hit him like a wall, knocking the breath from his lungs. He fought against the shock, forcing himself to move, his arms cutting through the waves as he searched for her.
“Edin!” he shouted again.
A flash of dark hair broke the surface ahead of him, and relief surged through him. She was struggling, her arms thrashing weakly against the pull of the water. He pushed harder, his muscles screaming with effort as he closed the distance between them.
When he reached her, she was barely holding herself above the waves, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. Her eyes, wide with fear, locked onto his, and she grabbed for him instinctively.
“I’ve got ye,” he said, his voice firm despite the strain in his limbs. “Just hold on, lass.”
Edin clung to him, her grip desperate. Her head dipped below the surface for a moment before he adjusted, slipping an arm around her waist to steady her. She coughed and sputtered, her body trembling against his.
“Where’s the boat?” she gasped, her voice barely audible over the crashing waves.
Finley glanced back, his heart sinking. The dinghy was drifting farther away, the crewman struggling to keep it steady in the turbulent water. The distance between them and the shore was no better. They were caught in the middle, and there was no time to waste.
“We’re closer tae the shore,” he said, forcing his voice to stay calm. “We’ve got tae swim fer it. Ye’ll have tae trust me, Edin.”
She nodded weakly, her teeth chattering.
“Wrap yer arms around me neck,” he instructed, turning his back to her. “Hold tight, but dinnae choke me, aye?”
With trembling hands, Edin obeyed, looping her arms around his neck as he adjusted his grip on her. The added weight made every stroke harder, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward.
The minutes stretched endlessly as Finley fought the waves, each stroke a battle against the relentless pull of the sea. His muscles burned, his breath coming in sharp, labored gasps. Edin was silent, her body limp and shivering against his back.
“Almost there,” he muttered, though he wasn’t sure if the words were for her or himself.
The sight of the shore so close gave him a renewed burst of strength. He focused on the rhythm of his movements, the goal just ahead. The roar of the waves filled his ears, the salt stinging his eyes, but he kept going.
When they finally reached the shallows, Finley’s feet found purchase on the sandy bottom. He staggered forward, half-carrying, half-dragging Edin as the waves pushed against them. The water pulled at his legs, reluctant to let them go.
They collapsed onto the wet sand, both gasping for air. Finley rolled onto his back, his chest heaving as he stared up at the pale sky. His arms felt like lead, his legs trembling with exhaustion. Beside him, Edin lay still, her breaths coming in shallow, uneven bursts.
“Ye all right?” he asked after a moment, his voice hoarse.
She didn’t answer immediately, her head turning slowly to look at him. Her face was pale, her hair plastered to her skin, but she nodded.
“Aye,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks tae ye.”
Finley let out a breath, relief washing over him. He pushed himself up on one elbow, glancing back at the sea. The dinghy was already heading back toward the larger ship, the crewman likely deciding the shore wasn’t worth the risk.
“Looks like it’s just us now,” Finley said, his tone wry despite the ache in his body.
Edin let out a weak laugh, though it sounded more like a cough. “I suppose so,” she murmured.
The damp sand beneath them was coarse and cool, sticking to Finley’s soaked breeches as he helped Edin settle against a rock. She coughed hard, her body trembling like a leaf caught in the wind. Each rasping breath rattled in her chest, and though she tried to mask it, her lips were tinged faintly blue.
