Chapter 12
Nora sat beside Mairiana on the grassy bank of the enchanted loch and held her while they both cried and prayed. Would Darack be healed this night?
While the men held him floating in the water, an insight came to Mairiana. "I must go to him," she said, and Nora released her.
Mairiana moved down the sloping embankment into the icy cold water of the loch. Though chills prickled her skin, she ignored the temperature as she waded deeper, the water climbing her thighs, her waist, her chest. The men holding Darack eyed her.
She placed her hands gently on either side of Darack's head and kissed his forehead. Then, she whispered into his ear, "Awaken, my love." Tears filled her eyes. "You are everything to me and I love you."
"Something is happening," Ewan murmured. "Did you feel that? He stiffened."
The other men nodded their agreement.
Mairiana held her breath. As she watched, Darack's jaw clenched, he drew in a deep breath, and then a shouting growl burst from his mouth. He breathed hard and fast for a few moments, then opened his eyes. "You trying to freeze me to death?" he yelled.
Ewan laughed. "Welcome back, Darack."
"Where am I?" Darack's whole body shook and his teeth chattered. "Get me out of the water."
The four men hauled him out and lay him on the bank.
"We'll take the wet shirt and blanket off and put this dry one on him," Nora said. "Help me, lads."
Amid her tears of joy and gratitude, Mairiana prayed that the chilling water would not make him worse.
***
Wrapped in a warm blanket and dry clothes, sitting on the ground, Darack glanced at his family and friends surrounding him in the torchlight and his heart warmed. He could not believe his cousins had carried him all this way to the enchanted loch. They had played here as children. "I thank you, lads. You must be exhausted."
"You think us weaklings?" Ewan asked.
Darack snickered. Upon seeing Mairiana a short distance away, he winked. Though she smiled in return, she wiped tears from her eyes, making him want to hold her.
She came closer and knelt beside him. "I'm so happy you're awake. How do you feel? Are you in any pain?"
He took her hand and kissed the back, relishing the silky feel of her warm skin. "Not much. Just some soreness in my arm and side. Now, stop your worrying. I want to stand up."
"Is it not too soon?" Ewan asked.
"If he feels like it," Mairiana said.
Ewan and another cousin, Paul, lifted beneath his arms. Once upright, Darack swayed a bit, then took a few steps forward across the grass.
"You can turn loose now." He no longer wanted to appear weak in front of Mairiana. And he truly felt his strength returning with every moment that passed.
"'Tis a miracle," his mother exclaimed, then embraced him.
Everyone murmured their agreement as they watched him in awe.
"Indeed," Darack said, feeling humbled and blessed. "I remember nothing of the long trek up here. I owe you my undying gratitude."
His gaze met Mairiana's again. Her eyes were bright with joy and glistening with tears. That look melted his heart. He wanted to talk to her alone so badly, though he had no inkling what he would say first. There was so much… he must thank her. He remembered waking during his illness to find her sitting by his bedside, during the daytime and in the candlelight.
"I brought some food," Mairiana said. After digging into her satchel, she handed him a scone.
"I thank you, m'lady." He gave a lighthearted bow.
Everyone filled their empty wine skins with water from the loch, then his mother gave him a cup full. "The water will preserve your good health and make you live as long as Osgar and Reas," she said. "'Haps 'twill even make me look like a young lass again." She grinned and drank a long swallow.
