Page 78 of Fallen
“How is Fen this morning?” Craeg asked.
Gunn straightened up and slapped the stallion on the rump. “Much better. She’s starting to get her appetite back.” The relief on his friend’s face was evident. His eyes gleamed, and his throat bobbed. “And we have Coira to thank.”
Craeg smiled. Stepping forward, he placed a hand on Gunn’s shoulder. “Ye are the first to know that as soon as we can find a priest … I’m going to make Coira my wife.”
A grin stretched across Gunn’s rugged face. “That is good news indeed.”
“How is she?”
The rawness in Carr Broderick’s voice made Coira tense. His face looked as if it were hewn from stone, yet he betrayed himself when he spoke.
“A little better, I believe,” she replied cautiously. Coira’s gaze narrowed as she examined the boils she’d lanced the day before. Although they had a raw appearance, she was pleased to see that they were clear of pus and blood. It also seemed that Drew’s fever had lowered a little.
Indeed, the lady herself was awake and now observed Coira, her grey eyes clouded with pain and confusion. “Who are ye?” she croaked.
“My name’s Coira. I’m a healer.”
“And why do ye wear a scarf over yer face?”
“Ye have the plague, Lady Drew … as ye know, the illness passes quickly from person to person.”
Drew licked her dry lips. “I’m so thirsty.”
“Here.” Coira picked up a wooden cup of water, not an easy task when wearing leather gloves, and held it to her patient’s lips. “Just take a few sips mind … yer belly is still tender.”
Drew did as bid before settling back against the mound of pillows. Her gaze shifted then, over Coira’s shoulder, to where Captain Broderick stood, still and silent now that his mistress had awoken.
“Did ye fetch this healer, Broderick?” she asked weakly.
He shook his head. “She arrived here with Craeg, milady.”
Drew’s gaze widened. “The outlaw … he’s here?”
Coira stilled. Was that how Lady Drew saw Craeg?The outlaw…he’s yer brother.
Straightening up, Coira met Drew’s eye. “I am Craeg MacKinnon’s woman,” she informed her softly, her breath catching a little as she said the words out loud. “Ye should know that there was a battle between the Dunan Guard and the outlaw band two days ago. Duncan MacKinnon is dead.”
Drew stared at her for a long moment. Watching her, Coira’s throat tightened. She wasn’t going to apologize. When it came to MacKinnon’s demise, she couldn’t bring herself to show any regret. Not only that but, despite her weak state, she sensed that the woman before her was no whimpering maid. There was strength in the set of the lady’s jaw and the steely glint in her eyes.
Silence stretched out, and then Lady Drew let out a long sigh. “It’s over then,” she whispered weakly.
“Aye, milady,” Broderick spoke up. “Worry not, Craeg MacKinnon will allow ye to remain here.”
Drew’s mouth thinned. “That’s generous of him.” Her eyes fluttered shut then, the tension going out of her. “Well … he can’t be any worse a clan-chief than Duncan was I suppose,” she rasped.
“He won’t be.” The vehemence in Coira’s voice surprised her. “Craeg is a thousand times the man Duncan MacKinnon was.”
Drew MacKinnon’s eyes opened and then, surprisingly, she favored Coira with a tremulous smile. “That is a relief to hear.”
32
Destined
Two weeks later …
STANDING IN FRONT of the slender mirror, Coira surveyed her appearance. She’d never seen her reflection like this before—having only ever caught glimpses in a still pool or the polished sheen of metal.
She barely recognized the woman before her.
