“We will make it,” he said, and cupped Moira’s cheek for a moment before he left her.
The boat creaked and shook as each cresting wave pounded into it. Duncan had to hold on to the side of the boat as he worked his way back to Niall.
“I’ll steer,” he shouted. When he took the rudder from Niall, he felt the full power of the sea pushing against it. “Now tie yourself to the mast with Moira.”
As he thrust the rope at Niall, a wall of water twenty feet high crashed over the side of the galley.
“Niall!” Duncan shouted and reached for him.
Time moved slowly as Duncan watched Niall spread his arms wide trying to catch hold of something before the mammoth wave hit them. Then the wall of water crashed over the boat, lifting Niall off his feet and tossing him head over heels like a twig in a whirlpool.
The rushing surge of water swept Duncan after Niall and slammed him against the side of the boat. Duncan held on to the rail, his arms straining against the force of water sweeping past him. As the swell receded, washing back across the top of the boat, Duncan heard Moira’s screams over the wind. That meant she was still safe, tied to the mast.
But Niall was gone.
Chapter 12
Niall! Niall!” Duncan shouted as he leaned over the side of the boat searching the swirling sea for him.
A lifetime seemed to pass before Niall’s arm popped out of the next swell. A moment later, a dark head bobbed to the surface and went down again. Niall was still alive.
Somehow, Duncan still held the rope in his hands. He quickly tied a loop at one end and fastened it over a hook on the side of the boat. But the boat was drifting dangerously. Before it took the next wave sideways and capsized, Duncan threw his weight against the rudder.
The boat shook as Duncan turned it against the force of the sea pushing it sideways.
The next wave crashed over the bow. When he glanced at Moira, she looked like a rag doll with her hair and limbs flailing in the wind.
Duncan fought to keep the bow hitting the waves head-on, while easing the boat closer to where he’d last seen Niall in the water. Then he saw Niall’s head bob to the surface again, thank God. Niall started swimming toward the boat, but he looked hurt. His strokes were awkward.
A giant swell curled and crashed over Niall, taking him under. Duncan’s heart stuttered in his chest as he watched for Niall’s head to reappear. When it finally did, Niall started swimming again, but his strokes seemed weaker than before. His head went down again and again, and each time Duncan feared Niall was lost.
“Niall!” Duncan shouted and tossed the rope with all his might. It uncoiled, carried aloft in the wind, and fell into the roiling sea not far from Niall. But as Niall swam toward it, the current carried the rope farther and farther from his reach.
Duncan pulled the rope in, coiling it around his arm. Before he could try again, he had to grab the rudder to steady the boat for the next swell. As soon as the galley crashed through the wave, Duncan turned to toss the rope. Niall had disappeared. Long, long moments passed before his head popped up again. The lad did not appear able to lift his arms to swim.
Niall did not have much strength left. If he did not catch hold of the rope this time, there would not be another chance. Taking careful aim, Duncan flung the rope out to him.
This time, the end landed close enough for Niall to grasp it.
“Hold on!” Duncan shouted as the boat crashed through another rolling swell. Then, holding the rudder steady with his leg, Duncan began pulling the rope in. Duncan was not a man who prayed much, but he was praying for all he was worth.
Give the lad the strength to hold on.
Another wave broke over the bow, and the tension in the rope grew slack for a sickening moment. When it jerked in Duncan’s hands, relief surged through him. Niall still held the other end.
Duncan pulled the rope in hand over hand until Niall was next to the boat. Duncan waited for the next wave to pass so that Niall would not be hit by the force of it while Duncan pulled him out of the water. Niall was close enough now that Duncan could see that his lips were blue and he had blood running down the side of his face.
Duncan heaved the rope, lifting Niall out of the water. As he watched, Niall’s hands began slipping down the rope. Duncan leaned over the side of the boat to help him, but Niall was just out of his reach.
“Hold on, damn it!” Duncan shouted.
The next wave caught Niall broadside, and he started to fall.
* * *
Moira felt helpless tied to the mast as she watched Duncan trying to save Niall’s life. When Niall started falling back into the water, she thought all hope for him was gone. Her scream of anguish was lost in the wind. But when the wave passed, Duncan was hanging dangerously over the side of the boat—and he was holding Niall’s wrist. She could see Duncan’s muscles strain beneath his soaked tunic as he held Niall’s deadweight against the force of the burgeoning sea.
Moira untied the rope around her, took hold of Sàr’s makeshift collar, and started across the boat to help Duncan. The galley rocked sideways, knocking her to her knees. When she looked up, Duncan was still leaning precariously over the side of the boat. Over the wind, she heard him shouting Niall’s name. Leaning on Sàr for support, she pulled herself to her feet and stumbled toward the back of the boat.
