Destined for Doon

by Carey Corp

  Jamie shut his eyes and heaved a frustrated sigh as Vee closed the distance between them. She placed a hand on his bicep and said, “We have an understanding, remember?”

  Jamie looked down at her, his fury replaced by remorse. “Sorry, love. Baby steps.”

  The fiddlers started back up as the prince pulled his queen flush against him. Seconds later, the bagpipes joined in. Once the royal couple whirled across the floor, I realized Duncan still held my arm in a death grip. Raising up on my tip-toes, I shouted above the music, “You can let go now! The scary beard man is gone.”

  After keeping a polite distance all day, Duncan spun around to grip me with both hands. I gaped in shock as he scowled down at me. Was he remembering our last encounter with Beardy and how he’d cradled me to his chest after coming to my rescue? “What were you thinking rushing up like that?”

  “I was thinking my best friend was in trouble.” I tried to step away, but it was impossible. I wasn’t going anywhere until Duncan MacCrae allowed it, or until I screamed bloody murder . . . which would kind of blow our whole Calling cover story.

  A tray of elegant finger food appeared between us held by Mario Rosetti. Duncan released me to pick up something that looked like a mini meat pie and thanked our host. “Grazie, Mario.”

  “Di niente,” Mario trilled in his musical Italian accent. He waited until I selected a sliver of bruschetta. “Soon we will be having a party to celebrate your wedding, si?”

  “Certamente.”

  As soon as Mario moved on, I asked, “How did you answer him?”

  “I said certainly.” Duncan set his uneaten appetizer on the table and I put mine next to it. “We do have a pretense to keep up.”

  He was right. I nodded to indicate I was still on board with the plan and then asked, “Would you like to dance?”

  “Maybe later.” He looked about the room. “Have you seen Ana? I’ve been looking for her.”

  I felt heat creep up my neck and prickle my cheeks. She’d been gone for hours, and I was starting to worry that something had gone very wrong. Although I was a fantastic actress, I didn’t lie well when I was on the spot, especially to my ex about his new girlfriend. Before I could stammer some excuse, Analisa appeared from thin air with her Cheshire Cat grin.

  “You called?” Then, by way of explanation, she shrugged toward the street. “I’ve been outdoors celebrating with that rowdy lot.”

  Duncan’s gaze leapt from her to me, and as it did she gave me a sly wink. The smile she’d elicited still lingered in his eyes when he said, “Would you please excuse us, Mackenna?”

  Was refusing an option? “Sure.”

  Duncan put his hand on the small of Analisa’s back and they disappeared into the crowd. On the far side of the room, Fergus was breaking a piece of shortbread over his new wife’s head. The crowd cheered despite the fact that it crumbled into tiny pieces in her hair. Even Fiona herself was laughing at her “good fortune.”

  There were things about Doon I would never understand. Perhaps these were further confirmations that I was not meant to be here — that I didn’t belong.

  “This is a celebration. Stop distancing yourself.” Vee’s gentle voice drifted up from my side. “And before you deny it — I saw you hiding at the bar.”

  Rather than open myself up to dissection, I decided to change the subject. “Ana’s back. I guess everything went okay.”

  “I saw her. But we were talking about you. After we destroy the limbus, you should hang out for a while.”

  I knew what she was doing. She’d been hinting at every possible opportunity that I should stay in Doon. But the only way that Duncan and I would truly move on is if we never saw each other again. On top of everything else, I couldn’t deal with disappointing her. It was too much, and I snapped, “I’m not staying. Once we kill the zombie fungus, I’m out of here. For good. So you better get used to the idea.”

  I hurried outside and pushed my way through the wedding guests clogging the street until I was far away from Rosetti’s Tavern. My stomach felt sick as I contemplated what I’d just done. My second to last night in Doon, and I spent it picking a fight with my best friend.

  CHAPTER 25

  Veronica

  The fact that I lived in a real-life Once Upon a Time had never been more apparent. Side by side, our gowns swishing against the cobblestone floors, my BFF and I made our way to the ballroom. And in true fairy-tale fashion, before the night was over we’d enter the evil witch’s domain, wield a consecrated weapon, and, if all went as planned, save the day.

  Now, if I could just get my knees to stop trembling.

  For an added bit of courage, I tucked a hand in the hidden pocket of my skirt and stroked Queen Lynnette’s pendant. I ran my fingers over the familiar shape of the heart topped with a crown. The queens of Doon had been doing what was best for their people for generations, because the kingdom was their heart.

  Tonight, I hoped to prove once and for all that I’d been chosen for this role. I touched the ceremonial tiara perched upon my head, and then ran my hands over the layers of ice-blue silk and tulle floating from my corseted waist. The heart-shaped bodice of the gown was shot through with silver thread, and the skirt scattered with tiny crystals that reflected the flames of each lantern we passed like glints of sun on ocean waves. Fiona had taught me that perception was as important as reality, so I’d given Emily free reign to commission a gown fit for royalty.

  “Good thing I insisted we stash a change of clothes. You sparkling like Queen of the Fairies might put a damper on the sneaking part of tonight’s festivities.”

  Recognizing a compliment when I heard one, I tugged on one of my elbow-length silk gloves and glanced at my gorgeous friend. “You look pretty epic yourself.” In some lights, the deep blue silk of her gown shimmered into black, creating an illusion of fluidity. The midnight silk was the perfect foil for the spirals of her brilliant hair.

  “Why, thank you, my queen.” She winked and lifted her skirts in a mock curtsy.

  It was meant as a joke, but I wasn’t her queen. And I never would be. Kenna was just visiting. Passing through on her way to a life without me. And without the boy who’d been Calling to her for most of her life.

  Assuming we didn’t die tonight, this might be my last chance to have my say.

  As we turned down a deserted back hallway lined with medieval portraits and the occasional kingly bust, I grabbed her hand and pushed her toward a curtained alcove. A place that I was sure had been used for secret assignations and political intrigue for generations.

  “Hey! What the — ”

  I shoved a strategic elbow into her corseted ribcage, and she stumbled into the tiny room. “Quiet. It’s my turn to talk.” I yanked the drapes closed behind us. The pattern of beads scattered across Kenna’s skirt captured and held light, glowing like stars in the dark chamber.

  “I can’t see you, but I can still ring your stubborn little neck.”

  “Kenna, can you please listen? Just this once?”

  “Fine,” she huffed into the dark.

  “Do you remember in high school how, despite starring in every theater production, you felt like you never fit in? It should’ve been the time of your life. You ruled the drama club. But besides me, you didn’t connect with anyone. Not even that cute boy who played opposite you in Beauty and the Beast.”

  As my eyes began to adjust, I watched her cross her arms under her chest and turn her face away from me. “He had enormous feet.”

  “It’s always something. Hands too small. Eyes too light. Smile too straight.”

  She didn’t respond, and I could almost hear the realization hit her. The comparisons she’d been making her entire life had been to a certain youthful, dark-eyed prince with a crooked grin — her not-so-imaginary friend.

  After several quiet seconds of letting her digest her revelation, I whispered, “At some point, you are going to have to choose to be brave.”

  “What do you mean, choose to
be brave? I’m about to face a freakin’ zombie fungus.” She uncrossed her arms and propped her fists on her hips.

  “I mean brave with your feelings. You’re going to have to tell him everything. Lay yourself bare, with no assurance that it will make any difference.”

  “Why on earth would I do that?”

  “Because . . .” I reached out and wrapped my fingers around her upper arms, saying my next words with special care. “If you don’t, you will always regret it. You’ll always wonder what you missed.”

  Her eyes had gone wide and moist, the muscles around her mouth contracting as she struggled to hide from me. But it was no use; I’d seen it. She wanted to take the chance. My heart performed a tiny leap.

  But then Kenna blinked, lifted her chin, and the emotion fell from her face. “Don’t we have somewhere we need to be?”

  I let go of her arms and dropped my hands to my sides. There were serious disadvantages to having an actor for a best friend. “At least take the first step and admit the truth to yourself.” I met her gaze and refused to break the stare until she nodded.

  “Okay.” Her eyes shuttered and she stepped back, her next words flippant. “But I seldom follow my own good advice, so don’t expect miracles.”

  That’s exactly what I expected, but I didn’t push. Knowing what I’d already said was challenge enough, I lifted the curtain and stepped into the torch-lit hallway.

  The walk to the ballroom was not far, but it seemed to take an eternity. We moved side by side, in utter silence. Not the kind of silence you could curl up in and read a book; this felt like swimming upstream.

  I paused just short of the light spilling from the open doors to the ballroom. “Ken, are you — ”

  “I’m fine.” She met my worried gaze with a playful grin. “Time to get our sparkle on. Now go find your handsome prince. He’s going to freak when he sees that sweetheart neckline.” She waggled her eyebrows.

  She wasn’t fooling me for a nanosecond with her sudden light mood, but she was right — I desperately needed a dose of courage before facing down the forces of darkness. And I only knew one boy who made me feel like I could save the world.

  Sensing she needed a bit more time, I gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Meet you at the stables in two hours?”

  At her nod, I lifted my skirts and entered the ballroom. It was like walking into a cloud. Every surface was covered in white, from the snowy flower garlands to the swaths of ivory silk hanging in deep loops from the ceiling. Porcelain vases full of calla lilies, fluffy peonies, and pure white roses were everywhere, their fresh fragrance permeating the air. Even the music was light and airy — a mix of piano and strings.

  A heavenly aroma drew my attention to a table laden with a variety of appetizers. A cup of tea and some strawberries were all I’d eaten that day. Suddenly light-headed, I moved toward the food, but was intersected by a flurry of motion.

  “Yer Majesty! You look absolutely glorious!” Gabriella Rosetti stopped in front of me and dropped into a low curtsy, her tangerine skirts pooling in a neat circle around her feet.

  “Thank yo — ”

  “Oh, my queen!” One of Gabby’s friends rushed to join her. Melissa? Maria? It was something beginning with an M, I was sure. “That shade o’ blue is exquisite with yer eyes.”

  Two more girls merged into the ever-growing circle around me, and I noticed every one of them had their hair braided on one side, the strand integrated into their updos. It’s how I’d worn my hair on several occasions. Warmth infused my cheeks as the girls spoke over one another, complimenting my hair and makeup and asking about everything from the design of my dress to the color of my nails.

  Kenna had painted them in a glittery blue polish called I Have a Herring Problem.

  “I — ”

  But before I could finish, Jamie appeared behind Gabby’s shoulder. His warm brown gaze held mine as the hint of a grin tugged at his lips. “Ye’ll need to excuse us, lasses, I’ve a mind to dance with your queen.”

  The gaggle of girls parted to either side, twittering behind their hands.

  Wearing a formal black jacket and dark kilt, the MacCrae tartan draped across one shoulder, Jamie looking more dashing than I’d ever seen him — like a real-life prince. He closed the distance between us, swept into a bow, and extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”

  Still bent low, his sandy brows lifted in expectation. I heard at least one girl sigh.

  “Always.” I grasped his fingers in mine, feeling their warmth through my gloves.

  He stood, and I looped my arm through his bent elbow. With a smile and a wave to Gabby and her friends, I let Jamie lead me away. As we moved to the center of the room, I took a rough count of heads. The room was packed, and to my vast relief, it appeared as if the entirety of Doon were in attendance, tucked behind the relative safety of the castle walls.

  Jamie swept me into his arms, and horns joined in the song as if trumpeting our arrival on the dance floor. We began to waltz, and I noticed that people milled about, chatting and eating, but we were the only ones dancing.

  “Jamie . . . we’re the only people out here.” I settled my hand on his hard muscled shoulder.

  His eyes twinkled, his perfect lips quirked to one side. “No’ for long.”

  Sure enough, people began to pair off, and we were soon surrounded by a swirling rainbow of couples. Silk, tulle, and velvet glinted in a thousand tiny flames of light. Gabby twirled past in the arms of a red-haired boy I recognized as the daring guy who’d asked me to dance at my first weekly feast. His gaze swept over me and a wide, appreciative grin spread across his face.

  “Ye look stunning, by the way,” Jamie announced in an overly loud voice, shooting a glare at the cute red-haired boy.

  I turned back to him, and caught him staring at my chest before his eyes jerked back to mine. His fingers trailed up from my elbow to the bare skin of my upper arm. It took me a moment to realize it wasn’t a loving caress — he was trying to push my tulle-capped sleeve up over my shoulder.

  When the fabric wouldn’t stay put, he groused, “What good is this blasted thing?”

  We circled past the orchestra, the music drowning out my laughter.

  Jamie steered me toward the center of the floor. “Are ye laughin’ at me?”

  “Of course not,” I said as another giggle escaped my chest. “You’re just so cute when you’re jealous.”

  “I am not jealous.”

  I arched a brow in silent question.

  He pulled me closer and whispered against my ear, “All right, perhaps a bit. But when I saw ye tonight, it near took my breath away. And for whatever time we have, I dinna wish to share you.”

  We’d slowed to a sway, and his earnest gaze locked on my face, the candlelight catching in the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. The room and everyone in it faded away. This was my coruler. My soul mate. If these were truly the last hours we had together, could I allow them to be tainted by a lie? My heart gave a quick squeeze.

  Is this what Queen Lynnette felt like before making her bargain with the witches? Sure she was doing the right thing for the kingdom, but torn between protecting her secret and begging for King Angus’s forgiveness?

  I opened my mouth, but the confession locked in my throat. If I told Jamie I planned to enter the deadly limbus and destroy the curse, that Kenna and I were the only ones who could do it . . . he’d lock me in the dungeon until he could come up with a better plan. One that didn’t risk my life. I couldn’t say I’d do anything differently if the tables were turned.

  “What?” he prompted, his eyes narrowed in concern.

  When I didn’t answer, he stopped dancing. “Vee, I know you told me ye have a plan, but if something’s gone wrong, you’d tell me, right? Ask for my help?”

  “Of course. Everything is fine.” But I couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through me.

  Jamie’s expression turned stony. “I canna stand idly by and let you — ”

  �
�Shhh!” His raised voice had drawn the attention of several couples dancing around us. I took his arm and steered him into a quiet corner.

  Staring up at him, I challenged, “When you told me that you trusted me, did you really mean it?”

  “Yes, but — ”

  “No buts. You can’t help me. Not this time.”

  Jamie crossed his arms and stared down at his feet, his jaw clenching.

  I stepped in close and rubbed his flexed forearm. “Can you do it? Can you take this leap of faith with me?”

  After several long seconds, he looked up, his eyes stormy, but his voice resolute. “I would follow you anywhere.”

  I blinked, my vision clouding. His astonishing declaration shocking me to my core.

  Never one to handle tears well, Jamie gently gripped my arms. “Why are you crying?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, and then smiled into his eyes. “I just love you, that’s all.”

  The dimpled grin that spread across his face was so magnificent, it left me speechless.

  “Oh well, if tha’s all.” He wrapped his arm around my waist, and crushed me against his chest, lifting my feet from the floor. “I love you too, my heart. And I do trust you. But no matter what happens to us in this world, we’ll always be together.” Slowly, he set me on my feet.

  I didn’t doubt that our Calling could stand the test of time, but right now, we only had this moment. Pulling his head down, I touched my lips to his in a soft kiss. When I leaned back, the intensity of his gaze stirred an urgent need inside me. I didn’t want to share him either. Not tonight.

  “Follow me.” I took his hand and led him through the throng of dancers. I smiled and nodded at their greetings while every nerve in my body was laser focused on the place where my fingers linked with Jamie’s. When we reached the hallway, I lifted my skirt in one hand and began to run, tugging my prince behind me. His deep laughter echoed through the empty corridors as we took several turns.