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  Duncan raised his eyebrows in curiosity. “Performance?”

  “Kenna’s a stage actress.”

  “But Vee’s a dancer.” As Kenna shifted the conversation away from herself, I felt as if we were caught in a game of verbal table tennis.

  Duncan smiled politely at me. “Then perhaps you should join in the dancing, Veronica.”

  “So you’re not dancing, Ken?”

  “No!”

  Thinking my BFF protested too much, I flashed Duncan my most irresistible grin. “How about you, handsome?”

  “Not for the present. No.” Immune to my charms, Duncan cast Kenna a sidelong glance while she raptly concentrated on appearing unaffected. His face was a mask of sincerity, but I sensed the mocking in what he left unsaid. “Perhaps I shall be more inclined later.”

  “Sure.” I smirked at my best friend, enjoying the confusion that played across her face.

  She rolled her eyes and then looked me up and down. “Go dance, Vee. Before you gyrate out of your stockings.”

  Ever gallant, Duncan took my arm and propelled me to the edge of the dance floor. “Feel free to join in. We have many fine dancers in Doon. Even my brother is most accomplished in this area.”

  “Really?” I paused to watch Jamie in the middle of an animated group of young women, including the lovely Sofia.

  Suddenly the music was replaced by the pulse beating a tattoo in my ears, and my whole body stiffened. I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t go out there and lose myself in the music, like I longed to do. What if he didn’t want me there?

  Then Jamie vanished in the revolving mass of bodies, and I forced myself to relax. Did I want to spend the rest of my time in Doon as a spectator? I’d spent too many years locked inside myself, catering to others. It was time to live. With a deep breath, I swallowed my insecurities and let the music flow back into my veins. Ken was right; this was my epic summer, and if I wanted to dance, I wouldn’t let anyone stop me. “If you will excuse me, Duncan, the music calls and I must obey.”

  With a lithe skip, I wove my way into the crowd. The music swirled around me as I high-stepped into melee, my feet flying into the tempo with a life of their own. My sadness and doubts melted away as I lifted my arms in abandon, clapping to the beat, time disappearing. I spun and shimmied with the escalating rhythm, the faces around me blurring into a kaleidoscope.

  When the music slowed, I swiveled and almost collided with a handsome red-haired boy with sparkling green eyes. He extended his hand toward me and bowed with a wide grin. Accepting the unspoken invitation, I placed my hand in his. But as I stepped toward him, another hand clasped the boy’s forearm. My gaze traveled from the sun-darkened fingers to a sapphire sleeve, across a black leather vest, and up to a familiar face.

  Jamie.

  He nodded once to the red-haired boy, who dropped my hand like it was covered in warts.

  Jamie stepped in front of me. “May I have this dance?”

  Not waiting for my response, he took my hand and pulled. I crashed against his hard chest, and blinked up at him. When he began to move, my body fell effortlessly into step with his. I’d imagined dancing in his arms multiple times—the reality was better than I’d imagined.

  “I shall take that as a yes.” He raised a tawny eyebrow, his mouth quirking to the side as if to say, “Was there ever any doubt?”

  Seriously? His cocky expression was the reality check I needed. He was not the boy I thought he was—or hoped he’d be. Stepping back out of his arms, I lifted my chin and looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry, but I’m not inclined to accept your invitation.”

  As I turned away, he grabbed my arm and spun me back into his arms. All traces of amusement were gone, and the intensity radiating from his face stole the air from my lungs as he growled, “No’ so fast, lass.”

  Decisively, he took my right hand in his large fingers, the heat of his palm pressed firmly against my lower back, guiding me, once again, into the dance. As we began to move, I was conscious of every muscle, every movement of his body against mine. He leaned close, his warm breath stirring the tiny hairs by my ear, sending a jolt down my spine. “If you’re no’ inclined to accept my invitation, then I’ll rescind it and make it a command, since you clearly dinna understand what you are refusing.”

  His words splashed over me like ice water, cooling my over-zealous hormones. I’d had just about enough of his arrogant attitude—prince or no. Leaning back in his viselike arms, I watched a muscle in his jaw clench. Well, he wasn’t the only one who could get angry. Heat ran up my neck, flooding my cheeks. How dare he treat me like some scantily clad wench from a romance novel!

  “Oh, I think I know exactly what I’m turning down,” I bit out.

  As we turned in a waltz-like series of steps, I picked up my foot and slammed my heel down on top of his boot. He stumbled but recovered quickly. I had to admit I was impressed. Duncan was right; his brother was a strong dancer.

  Jamie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You did that on purpose!”

  He looked so dumbfounded—and so darned condescending—I couldn’t help sticking my tongue out at him in childish defiance.

  To my great satisfaction, he stumbled again. Not wanting to go down with my partner, I grabbed onto his upper arms and gasped. The power I’d seen him wield in the tournament couldn’t compare to holding that strength beneath my hands. Giddy tingles pulled at my belly. In a desperate attempt to keep myself from turning into a spineless puddle of goo, I started talking.

  “My good prince, what makes you think I’d ever bait you on purpose? I have the highest respect for you and your position, after all.” I batted my eyelashes up at him, smiling innocently. With a flash of white teeth, a long dimple appeared in his cheek. Momentarily staggered by the force of his blinding smile, it was my turn to stumble.

  “You be a fair dancer, Verranica, but I might recommend a lesson or two to help with your ungainliness.”

  It was a good comeback. I tried to stop the giggle rising up in my chest, but it was no use. Spinning and whirling, our bodies moving as one to the music, I felt lighter than air, and my laughter bubbled out.

  Distracted by my own glee, I didn’t at first notice Jamie’s laugh—a deep infectious sound that lit up my heart. We smiled into each other’s eyes, and for a moment the room and everyone in it fell away.

  Realizing that we’d stopped moving, the smile slipped from my face. The song ended but I remained sheltered in his arms. Hyperaware of the proximity of his body to mine, I became shivery and hot all at once. The heart-stoppingly beautiful boy from my visions had returned and as he searched my face, it felt as if we were having a conversation without uttering a single word. Feeling sure he could hear my heart as it hammered away in my chest, I took a steadying breath and caught my lower lip between my teeth. Slowly his gaze moved to my mouth. As he tilted his head, I leaned into the heat of his body, releasing my lip.

  In the space of a heartbeat, Jamie’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. He released me, stepping fluidly back into an elegant bow. When his eyes met mine again, they’d regained their aloof derision. “Thank you for the dance, m’ lady.”

  I lowered into a brief curtsy as he turned away and walked back into the crowd. Immediately, he focused his blinding smile on Sofia Rosetti. Any hopes I had disappeared as I watched him escort her onto the floor.

  Mentally kicking myself for thinking I could have been anything other than one of the masses to such an egotistical jerk, I inched my way into the crowd. From in between bodies, I watched my BFF in the arms of Jamie’s younger brother. Smiling and talking animatedly, Kenna seemed unaware that, despite her “two left feet,” she was dancing in perfect step with her partner. I wondered if Kenna would ever acknowledge Duncan was falling in love with her, or admit she had feelings in return. For anyone with eyes, it was more than obvious, but Kenna would most likely ignore the issue until it was forced upon her. Which, by the adoring look on Duncan’s face, might prove to be sooner rather than
later.

  A slow, soft song began, and Jamie continued to dance with Sofia. An infinite ache filled my chest as I noticed the tender way they looked at one another; the soft smiles, her huge eyes filled with open admiration. Soon the crowd fell back to form a ring around the perfectly matched couple.

  As the dance ended, Kenna and Duncan made their way toward me. The sympathetic expression on my friend’s face was more than I could bear, and I spun away. She meant well, but any kindness would send me straight over the edge.

  I picked my way through the endless crowd, intent on reaching fresh air. Once outside I found a spot along the battlement wall and gripped the cool stone, trying to calm my ragged breathing. Several feet away, a couple deep in conversation stopped to stare at me. It wasn’t long before the man grabbed the woman’s arm and they scurried away, casting nervous glances over their shoulders. Apparently being considered a sorceress’s minion had its advantages, because now I was blessedly alone.

  Tears burned my throat, but I refused to allow them to escape my eyes. I swallowed hard and concentrated instead on the beauty of the moon reflecting on the clear surface of the lake, as well as the geese swimming lazily in and out of the incandescent-streaked water. A breeze began to cool my blazing skin, and I felt my raging emotions ebb away.

  Jamie’s hot and cold act was draining. Every time he started to warm, to let me in the tiniest bit, he’d turn around and shut me out even harder. And why? What had I done? Except be nice to him and adore his kingdom. Even if he didn’t return my feelings—which I couldn’t determine one way or another—it didn’t explain why he treated me like I had a communicable disease.

  Because he’s in love with someone else.

  The thought dropped into my mind like a hand grenade without the pin, the reverberations shaking me straight to my toes.

  Jamie’s in love with Sofia and thinks I’m some deranged witch’s minion bent on destroying his kingdom.

  I lowered my face into my hands. So why was it when I looked at him, my heart said Mine?

  “Vee? Sweetie, are you okay?”

  I straightened at the sound of Kenna’s voice and wiped the wetness from my cheeks with my palms. “I’m fine.” I tried to smile, but the effort came out as a sob. She wrapped me in a hug, and I buried my face against her shoulder.

  “I can see that you’re fine. Just tell me who I need to kill.” Kenna patted my back with enough force to pull me out of my self-centered musings. “I could put some serious hurt on Prince Not-So-Charming if I need to.”

  In danger of being crushed, I extricated myself from her not-so-comforting embrace. Smiling for real this time, I shook my head at her, my voice not steady enough yet to explain.

  “It’s not a big deal. Jamie can’t help it if I got the wrong idea simply because he showed up in my life.” I shrugged, turning back to look at the lake.

  “The wrong idea? Wasn’t he asking you to come to the bridge?”

  “Sort of …”

  “Well, he obviously wanted you to come here. Why else would he have done the whole, ‘Come ta me, Verranica’ bit?” Kenna’s imitation of Jamie’s accent was so dead-on that I chuckled.

  “Maybe he didn’t know he was doing it. Haven’t you ever had a dream that when you woke up, you had no idea where it came from?”

  “Like the time I dreamt I was in Greg-the-stage-tech’s bed, naked?”

  “Exactly!” I chuckled and wiped the residual tears from under my eyes.

  “But as much as I don’t believe in the preordained destiny thing, you have to admit a Calling works a little differently than your normal relationship.”

  “Yeah, if it’s mutual, but we have no proof Jamie shared my visions.” Kenna opened her mouth to object, but I cut her off. “And even if he did, does that mean he has to pick me just because I somehow pulled him into my head?”

  “No. That’s as stupid as picking Sofia just because his mommy liked her.”

  “What did you say?” I spun on my friend, whose eyes had become as big as silver dollars.

  “Ah, well it’s no biggie.” Kenna turned to lean heavily on the stone wall, avoiding my probing gaze.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Duncan might have mentioned that—” Kenna sighed and then rushed on. “That their mother favored Sofia.”

  And Jamie loves her. Perfect.

  I turned to stare out at the lake, the natural beauty had lost its powers. Sofia being Jamie’s sainted mother’s favorite was just another confirmation that he and I weren’t meant to be together. “What else did Duncan say?”

  Before Kenna could answer, Fiona joined us by the battlement wall. “M’ladies, ye are not supposed ta be wandering alone.”

  “We’re perfectly fine …” Kenna’s words dropped off as we turned toward Fiona, who tilted her head to the side, gesturing toward the dark outline of a man concealed in the opposite corner of the stone terrace.

  “’Tis Gideon,” Fiona stated matter-of-factly.

  As the captain of the guard stepped out into the moonlight, I almost didn’t recognize him. Dark purple bruises shadowed his sunken eyes. His normally ruddy complexion appeared pale, almost translucent. “Is something wrong with him?”

  “I’m beginning to wonder,” Fiona replied, her brows gathering in concern.

  “Well, Gideon can go take a flying leap off a turret! In fact—” Kenna turned toward the skulking shadow.

  “Nay, Mackenna.” Fiona’s voice was firm as she grabbed Kenna’s upper arm to stop her. “’Tis clear he is only watching ye. Dinna provoke him.”

  Kenna stared angrily at Fiona for a brief moment before her irritation melted from her face and she shrugged. “Sorry, Fiona, I’m just not used to my every move being stalked, and it’s putting me on edge.”

  I knew the feeling. It was beginning to see my time in Doon as one big test of patience. Glancing at the shadowy corner, I could no longer see Gideon but knew in my gut he still lingered.

  “Gideon has a lot on his mind. We’ve just received reports that black petunias have sprouted around the witches’ cottage.” Fiona wrung her fingers, her eyes darting around the open area of the battlements furtively. The contrast between her current demeanor and her usual ultra-calm manner was a bit disconcerting.

  “Didn’t Duncan say nothing has grown there since the witches were destroyed?” I asked.

  “Aye. But the black flowers are spreading in waves as if—” She trailed off, swallowing the rest of her words.

  “As if what?” Kenna prompted.

  “Nothin’ you need to worry about.” A too-bright smile chased away the trepidation on Fiona’s face. “I’ve had the kitchen prepare a tray of hot cocoa and cookies ta be sent to yer rooms. Would ye fancy some girl time?”

  I hesitated, debating whether or not to pursue the questions spinning in my head. Black flowers growing where nothing has grown for hundreds of years? As if … As if the witches were back. As if the witches were us. No wonder Jamie treated me with suspicion; on the surface I looked guilty as sin. I would have to find a way to prove my innocence, starting tomorrow. Tonight I needed to take a break from the drama that was or wasn’t going on between me and the future ruler of Doon.

  Linking arms with my new friend, I said, “Girl time sounds like heaven to me.” Kenna took Fiona’s other arm and we moved toward a doorway to the side of the Great Hall. I had no interest in returning to the festivities to watch Jamie romance half the kingdom, especially not a certain petite Italian.

  CHAPTER 17

  Veronica

  The girl time and hot chocolate didn’t relax me as I’d hoped. Quietly, I slipped from the oversized bed I shared with Kenna and grabbed the enormous green robe she’d left on the chair. Duncan’s suite sometimes made me feel like I was a dwarf co-existing with giants.

  Moving into the sitting room, I slipped my arms into the robe and rolled the sleeves up several times. A profound quiet filled the air as I stared into the glowing embers of the banked fire. The p
eaceful hush was in such discordance with my restless spirit, it filled me with the insane urge to run screaming through the castle. Well, maybe not the crazy-screaming part. But with nothing to wear besides heavy skirts or a nightdress, I couldn’t even go for a run to calm my nerves.

  Hoping a bit of reading would do the trick, I found the leather-bound book Fiona had brought me from the library earlier that day; Doon: An Esteemed Legacy. I ran my fingers over the embossed letters. The MacCrae family crest—two lions back to back, one with an arrow clamped in its teeth, the other holding a sword—filled the center of the cover, and written below in looping script: In Unity There Is Great Power. Hefting the Bible-sized tome to the window seat, I cracked it open and scanned the table of contents by moonlight.

  The Miracle

  The Centennial

  The Gathering

  A Calling

  Ancient Symbols

  A Calling. Perfect!

  Maybe I could find some clue as to why the visions that’d rocked my entire world had no effect on the one I shared the visions with. Finding the correct page, I leaned forward and drank in every word.

  A Calling is a sacred bond that draws an individual to Doon through dreams or waking visions. The Calling may be between two hearts or one individual who is called to Doon for a preordained purpose. The visions act as a beacon, guiding the called individual to the kingdom of Doon, typically at the time of the Centennial.

  It is believed the Calling was established by our divine Protector to sustain our culture.

  Skimming over the information about those being called to Doon for a vocational purpose, I ran my finger quickly down the paragraphs to a passage that appeared to jump off the page:

  When the Calling is between two individuals, the outsider must choose Doon over their own world in order to complete the union. When this choice is made, the two souls become inextricably intertwined until death.

  If I chose to stay in Doon, would Jamie no longer have a choice? His feelings for Sofia would … what? Simply disappear? Taking a deep breath, I continued to read: