Jamie rushed to my side and gathered me in his strong arms. I gratefully leaned into his solid warmth, clinging to him as fatigue washed through me. Being a warrior was seriously exhausting!
“How did ye know?” His voice was as gentle as I’d ever heard it, filled with wonder and something more intimate, meant only for me.
Leaning back, I searched his dark eyes. “Know what?”
“How did you know that you had to be willing to die to invoke the power of the substitution?”
“It was something the king—your father—said to me. That when the time came I’d have to be willing to make a sacrifice for your sake.” I lowered my head and then glanced at him from under my lashes, tapping the left side of my chest with two fingers. “It wasn’t a hard decision. I just followed my heart.”
CHAPTER 40
Mackenna
Just when I thought real life couldn’t get more theatrical, hag-Addie started to cackle again. Her hateful, brittle laugh scraped over me like dead branches in February. Vee spun in Jamie’s embrace just as Fergus and Duncan moved toward the witch with weapons drawn. But with a puff of wind, she … vanished.
The room went oddly silent as scenes flitted through my mind: the Phantom vanishing on Christine, Sondheim’s witch disappearing into the woods, the Wicked Witch of the West shrieking, “I’m melting!” That was always the end, right? There ought to have been music underscoring the moment so we could rejoice it was over and that we’d won.
Fergus kicked Addie’s empty cape with the tip of his boot. “She’s gone.”
When Vee started to frown, Jamie picked her up off her feet and twirled her in a circle. “Tha’s a good thing. Ye did it! You beat her.”
Over their whirling forms, I looked to Duncan for final confirmation. As he watched his brother and my best friend, he grinned, his smile equal parts smirky and awestruck. He brushed his dark hair back from his forehead so that it stuck up in those fantastic damp spikes. There was something so familiar—so comfortable and endearing—in the gesture, as if my heart had known him a lifetime. Our eyes locked. His velvet brown gaze radiated with expectancy that tugged at my soul.
The gossamer strands of a long-forgotten memory floated across my consciousness. Sunshine and summer heat. Someone standing on the Brig o’ Doon waiting for me. As I struggled to remember, a clock chimed from somewhere in the house. The melody of the bells pierced the thought and snapped me back to the present.
Duncan’s face grew pale, his smile slack. Heavy with shock, he murmured, “Midnight.”
With a gasp, Vee pushed out of Jamie’s arms to face me with round eyes. “Please tell me you set the clocks ahead.”
A couple of minutes. “Not enough.”
In my head, I could imagine Addie still cackling from wherever she’d gone and gloating, “Ye will never make it back across the bridge in time ta save your beloved Doon.”
Jamie clutched Vee’s arm. His manner became clipped and efficient as he pulled the new queen to his side. “The fastest way to the riverbank?”
In spite of the panic on her face, Vee remained calm. “Up the stairs and out the back door.” Before her words were finished, they were moving toward the exit.
Duncan crossed the room in a half dozen determined strides. My stomach plummeted as he reached for me. I longed for him to take me in the shelter of his arms and kiss me senseless. Instead, I grasped his powerful hand and let him drag me behind Jamie and Vee.
Just before the door, I pulled away long enough to scoop up Aunt Gracie’s journal and the upended duffel. I stuffed the book into the bag and thrust it at Vee. “Take this. Whatever you do, don’t drop it.” There were questions in her eyes but she slipped the strap horizontally across her torso and rushed into the pitch-black corridor.
Duncan waited at the doorway, his eyes voicing a particular question. He would never return to Doon if I didn’t. Or at least if he didn’t think I was going back. Before he could say anything, I grabbed his arm, tugged him into the hallway, and whispered, “I’ve changed my mind about staying in Doon.”
Feeling physically sick, I watched as wonder crossed his face, followed by relief and a new determination to get to the bridge. Duncan’s hands pressed into my back, urging me to climb the stairs two at a time. As we raced through the darkened house and out the back door, I thought of Aunt Gracie. How before she died, she’d promised me she was going to recover. But she couldn’t.
The clock from Alloway’s main strip started to toll the hour. One! The low muffled clang reverberated through our bodies as we dashed toward the trail that would get us across the bridge.
Once on the footpath, Duncan interlaced his fingers with mine. Anchored to his side, I had no choice but to match his long gait stride for stride. Just ahead of us, Jamie propelled Vee in a similar manner while Fergus sped past us to take the lead.
My side ached. Two! My lungs burned from lack of oxygen. I ignored my protesting body and pushed through the pain. The distance separating the cottage from the bridge seemed impossibly far. Yet I refused to abandon hope.
I focused on the bend that led to the Brig o’ Doon. Three! Fergus rounded it first and declared, “I see the brig!”
In front of me, Jamie and Vee seemed to run even faster—if such a thing was possible—as they caught their first glimpse of the portal that would lead them home. Four! With a shout, Jamie urged us on. “Keep going!”
We sprinted through the curve. Ahead, the Brig o’ Doon was barely discernible in the haze of the riverbank. Duncan’s fingers tightened over mine in wordless assurance, and his pace quickened. Five!
I was doing the right thing. I had to believe it. But we were running out of time. As we neared the mouth of the bridge, thick tentacles of mist reached for us. All that remained visible of the Brig o’ Doon was the lamppost on our side. Six! If not for that dull yellow halo of light, we’d have lost our way for certain.
The disembodied voice of Fergus echoed from the oblivion. “I’m across!”
My timing had to be perfect. As I took the first jarring step onto the cobbled stones of the bridge and the mist swallowed us, my hand slipped from Duncan’s.
“Mackenna!” he called out in alarm.
“Right here.” I struggled to keep my response as reassuring as possible. Seven! Although he was only inches away, I couldn’t see any part of him. How I wished in that moment I could see his ridiculously gorgeous face one last time. “Keep running!”
Then I stopped.
Eight!
Using the parapet wall as a guide, I quickly edged my way backward toward Alloway. I wasn’t sure how far I’d crossed, but I needed to ensure I was past the halfway point before the last toll.
Ahead, I heard Jamie exclaim, “We’ve made it!” followed by Vee’s bell-like laugh of relief and Duncan’s hoot of victory. Nine!
Now for the hard part.
Duncan’s voice held a sense of urgency. “Mackenna? Where are ye?”
Ten!
I labored to make my mouth speak the terrible truth. “I’m not coming.”
I heard Duncan rush toward me instantly, followed by the sounds of a struggle as Jamie and Fergus restrained him. His voice wavered with disbelief. “But you said—”
“I lied.” If he could find a way, he would come after me. The only way he would stay where he belonged was if he never wanted to see me again.
Some promises couldn’t be kept, despite our best intentions. Eleven! A sob hitched in my throat as I stepped back onto the firm ground of Alloway and waited for the final toll.
From the other side of the Brig o’ Doon, Vee gasped. “Kenna, what are you doing?”
“Come ta me!” Duncan’s frantic plea caused me to sink to my knees in an effort to hold my ground and not to rush to him. The ache in my chest was excruciating.
“Mackenna!” Already his voice sounded distant—coming from someplace far, far away. “Please!”
Twelve!
The mists began to dissipate. For several mo
ments, I stood in shock and watched the Brig o’ Doon reappear. Staring at the vacant passage, I struggled with the reality of what I’d done. I’d abandoned my best friend and broken trust with the boy I loved.
I could only hope when Vee went through the bag and found Uncle Cameron’s ring that she would understand. Like her, the rings belonged in Doon—I did not. She’d probably still be furious, but eventually she would forgive me—and she’d help Duncan to do the same. In time, he would find someone who could make him happy and move on. Unlike me.
Stars filled the sky as I walked numbly back to the cottage. Now that the kingdom was safe, I wasn’t afraid of Addie. Even if Vee hadn’t stripped her of her power, she’d still lost. But I needn’t have worried, because the chamber under the cottage was as empty as a tomb. She’d disappeared, hopefully for good.
All traces of Doon were gone from my life—as if it’d never been more than a terrible and lovely dream.
CHAPTER 41
Veronica
The journey back to the castle was bittersweet. Doon was saved. And by some incredible twist of fate, I’d become its queen—which hadn’t really sunk in yet. In my heart, I knew it meant I would never have to leave the land and the people I loved. But it also meant I’d never return to the mortal world again.
Would my mom miss me or even care that I was gone? Most likely she’d be relieved when I didn’t return. She’d move on with Bob, and maybe start a new, even more dysfunctional family. What excuses would Kenna make for my disappearance?
Kenna. Something cracked deep inside my chest. What will I do without the girl who shares my brain?
My stomach clenched. It wasn’t like before, when she’d moved to Arkansas. There would be no late-night phone calls or texts. This separation was permanent. I couldn’t conceive that I’d never hear her voice again.
She’d made the choice to pursue her dreams, and I couldn’t fault her for that. But when I looked at Duncan—his broad shoulders stooped, his face a mask of anguish—I wished with all my heart she could’ve accepted the dream her life would’ve been with him in Doon.
I stumbled over the uneven ground as loss clouded my vision. Jamie grasped my arm to steady me, his eyes searching my face. I gave him a watery smile, my gaze lingering on his beautiful features, and my heart gave a violent twist. I’d almost lost him forever too.
With a soft smile, he tucked my arm through his and we fought our way through the thick forest together.
Silence greeted us as we entered the village. Every window was dark. As if in repose, the colorful buildings rested snuggly against one another. Had we failed to save the people of Doon after all?
I glanced questioningly at Jamie. His brow furrowed and he stopped in the middle of the street. “Listen,” he whispered.
Duncan and Fergus turned toward us. We all strained to hear the gentle melody that floated on the breeze, swelling and retreating on the gentle wind.
“They’d be in the Auld Kirk,” Duncan said with quiet determination.
“Of course!” Jamie beamed, the tension leaving his body for the first time since we crossed the bridge.
“Come on!” Fergus motioned to us and then set off in a loping stride. Duncan, Jamie, and I followed on his heels. Despite my exhaustion, energy surged through me as we ran in the direction of music that became clearer with every step.
Give us strength to face the darkness,
Faith to keep us safe,
And be our protection in times o’ trouble.
The hymn, clear and pure, rose into the night air, causing my heart to swell within my chest.
Never will we fear, for You are our mighty shield.
Because we have made You our refuge,
The Most High our dwelling place.
We raced up the stone stairs of the church. Duncan and Fergus pulled opened the double doors, and all four of us stood in the entryway.
No evil shall befall us or our own,
No scourge shall come near …
The entire kingdom of Doon stood united, their voices lifted to the sky, singing a prayer for their kingdom and the safe return of their king. Jamie’s eyes met mine as he took my hand, and we stepped into the sanctuary.
Fiona was among the first to see us. With a cry of joy, she ran down the center aisle and hurled herself into Fergus’s waiting arms. People surrounded us, their exultations and questions blending into a dizzying cacophony. Sofia flew toward us with a huge grin. Respectfully, I stepped to the side to give her access to Jamie, but stumbled back when she threw her arms around me. “You saved him, didn’t you? You beautiful girl, you saved us all,” she whispered urgently into my hair. Surprised, I met Jamie’s intense pride-filled gaze over Sofia’s narrow shoulder.
“She did save us all,” Jamie said in a reverent tone I’d never heard him use before. “In fact, it’s a story all of Doon needs to hear.”
After giving Sofia a brief hug, he held his hand out to me. Ignoring Jamie, I turned back to the tiny Italian girl, searching her lovely face. “But Sofia …”
I trailed off, unsure how to frame all the questions racing through my mind. Why was she not mad at me? How did she feel to see Jamie holding my hand? How long would she go on loving him?
With a wide smile, she leaned close to my ear and whispered, “’Tis all right, Veronica. I’ve had a Calling o’ my own.”
My eyes widened, and I stared at Sofia in amazement. A quick glance at Jamie’s face told me this was not news to him. I arched an eyebrow and frowned. “You knew about this?”
“Aye, though in my defense it was a recent development,” he said, his lips sliding into an apologetic grin.
And just like that, I melted.
“Come.” Jamie took my hand and pulled me against his side, whispering, “Your highness.”
I smiled up into his handsome face as he led me through the crowd, to the front of the church. But as we climbed the steps to the altar, my feet began to drag. How would these good people accept the news that their newly crowned king, who’d been reared for the position since birth, had been usurped by an ordinary American girl—one who was thought by many to be in league with the devil?
But as Jamie recounted the harrowing events of our ordeal, beginning with Gideon’s enthrallment and ending with our final defeat of the witch, it became clear by the appreciative reaction of the people that I had nothing to fear.
“So, my good kinsmen, without further ado, by way of the Americas, with a wee bit of help from the Ring of Aontacht and by her strong faith and valiant self-sacrifice, may I present your new monarch. Queen Verranica!” Jamie swept into a deep bow and then dropped to a knee before me, his head bent low. The crowd rose to their feet, cheers and applause echoing to the rafters.
Humbled beyond all words, I swallowed the emotion threatening to spill out. Reflexively, I searched the crowd for the flaming hair that signified my best friend, and found Duncan’s sad smile instead. My heart ached for Kenna’s—and also for Duncan’s—loss. But I had to believe she was here in spirit and that she would want me to grab on to happiness with both hands.
I turned to Jamie, grasped his shoulders, and pulled him to his feet. When his eyes met mine, they were dark pools of mystery. What could he possibly be up to now?
With a raise of his hand, the people quieted. Admiration rushed through me at his commanding presence, inspiring me to gain control of my shaking limbs and the sobs tightening my chest.
“Good people, as the tradition dictates, a reigning monarch must fulfill the Completing before the commencement of their official Coronation.” Translation: I needed to choose a king before I could be crowned. I stared at Jamie, unable to believe he’d bring this up now.
“I, for one, would like to know who her choice for coruler will be,” he said with a playful grin.
As the room erupted in laughter and applause, I cupped my hand over my mouth and leaned closer to him. “What are you doing?”
Jaime put his arm around me and pulled me agains
t his side. His breath skimmed the sensitive skin on my neck as he whispered, “Ye have to choose, love.”
“But don’t I have until the next Centennial to reveal my choice?” I loved Jamie with all my heart, but this tradition was so archaic. We hadn’t even discussed how we felt about each other in private, and he wanted to do this in front of the entire kingdom?
“Nay. When ye took my place, you became queen before this Centennial ended, so you’re actually a wee bit behind.”
Some part of my exhausted brain recognized he was talking me into a corner—forcing the issue in typical Jamie fashion. Pulling away from his intoxicating embrace, I clenched my teeth against the sudden doubts crowding inside my head. I knew the Calling was supposed to lead you to your soul mate, but what if it was wrong? What if our fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending? The logical part of my brain told me to trust this blessing, but the neurotic, abandoned little girl inside me warned that Jamie would ditch me just like my father did.
I needed more time.
Drawing in a deep breath, I turned to tell him, and found the Golden Boy from my visions. With a soul-searing look, he closed the remaining distance between us. His clean scent—soap and summer storm—engulfed me as he leaned down to my ear. “Verranica, I will never leave you.”
I stared up at my beautiful prince, tears gathering in my eyes. How did he always know exactly what I needed to hear? Then a tiny voice inside of me answered: Because the Calling is real and your destiny is standing right in front of you.
My heart hammering in my chest, I clutched his hand, took a step back, and lifted my chin. “I choose you, James Thomas Kellan MacCrae, to be my king and coruler.” My voice rang strong and clear, prompting a mass intake of breath from the crowd.
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