Destined—all those who’ve been led ta our great kingdom.”
At the far end of the hall, I could see another entrance and a mass of people approaching from the corridor beyond. I hoped Duncan was among them. Ken meant well, but this conversation was chipping away at the little strength I had left.
Kenna’s eyes flickered toward the crowd and back to Fiona as she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“It means that he’ll have ta open the envelope before midnight tonight.”
Awesome. Why had I let Jamie convince me to be here again?
“Fiona, Kenna, Vee!”
I recognized the rolling, exotic voice of Gabby Rosetti. It figured—nothing like the queen-to-be’s little sister adding salt to the wound.
“Your dresses are bea-u-tifulll.” She elongated the final consonant as she slipped in front of us to twirl in an excited circle, the rich green fabric of her skirt belling out around her.
Since we shared a brain and Kenna had always been more demonstrative with her feelings, the glare she shot Gabby was completely unfiltered. Luckily, Gabby didn’t seem to notice.
Fiona’s eyes darted from Kenna, to me, then back to Gabby and she rushed to return the girl’s complement. “Ye look lovely as well, Gabriella.”
“Sure do—so does your sister.” Fake enthusiasm dripped from Kenna’s every word. “Where is Sofia, anyway? She must be sooo relieved.”
“Ken—” I pinched the back of her arm in warning. When she set her mind, she was like a runaway car— reckless and unable to stop short of smashing into a solid object.
Gabriella Rosetti regarded us with large, trusting doe eyes. “Over what?”
“The betrothal, silly.” Kenna’s shark-like smile rivaled Cinderella’s wicked stepmother as she leaned toward Gabby and gave her a wide wink. “I know she and Jamie spoke in confidence yesterday.”
Surprise moved across the girl’s lovely features and she nodded in confirmation. She searched our faces for reassurance that she was among friends. Satisfied, she leaned in to share her secret. “I’ve been awfully concerned about her lately. But after she and Jamie talked last night, she’s been so very happy.”
Ken lowered her voice to indicate this juicy bit of gossip was just between us girls. “Is that so? What did he say, exactly?”
Gabby paused to draw in a breath, her eyes shifting from Kenna’s eager face to Fiona’s deep frown, and then warily back to me. “I think I’ve already said too much. If ye will please excuse me, I should go in search of my sister.”
As soon as Gabby turned her back to us, I smacked Kenna across the arm while Fiona admonished her with, “That wasn’t verra nice.”
“Well—” She crossed her arms contentiously. “I didn’t feel verra nice.”
“Excuse us for one minute.” I grabbed my friend by the sleeve and hauled her away from Fiona. Just short of the doors, I whirled on her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“He’s not going to get away with it!”
My eyes widened. “Who’s not getting away with what?”
“Jamie’s not getting away with marrying Sofia when he loves you.”
I shook my head, a sad smile creeping onto my lips. She wanted to fix everything for me and I loved her for that, but she needed to accept that it was over. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I really do. But did I ask you to fight my battles?”
“No—”
“Don’t you think after everything we’ve been through, if I needed help I’d come to you?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts! This is a royal ball.” I pointed beyond her left shoulder. “And you’ve got a real-life prince over there working so hard to get your attention that he looks like he’s trying to land a plane. Go dance with him! Have fun!”
Kenna glanced behind her and Duncan made another broad beckoning gesture, his face lighting up with enthusiasm when he saw he’d gained her attention.
“He looks like he’s provoking a bull.” A small chuckle slipped from her mouth before she turned back around. “I don’t think I should leave you.”
Wrapping my arms around her in a bear hug, I whispered, “If I need you, I’ll come find you.”
“Are you sure?”
I pulled back and in a sing-song voice attempted the words to one of her favorite songs. “There’s only this. Only tonight. So let go. Find out if it’s right.”
She burst out laughing. “Before you go all
My smile faltered. “Kenna, there comes a time when admitting defeat becomes the logical choice—”
She waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “Is there a wedding ring on his finger?”
“No, but—”
“No buts. Fight for him!”
My best friend had always been a fighter. She single-mindedly pursued her dreams, whether they were the right ones or not. But that wasn’t me. Whenever things got messy, I preferred to paste on a smile and walk—or run—the other way. It’s how I’d protected myself all my life. Between fight or flight, I definitely preferred flight. Just like Dad.
The realization hit me like a sledgehammer, causing me to slump against the edge of the table behind me. I resisted the urge to grab my aching chest as I pretended to consider my friend’s call to action. My father was a weak, selfish coward. Did that make me one too?
With effort, I focused on Kenna’s searching gaze. “Okay, I’ll try,” I conceded to shut her up. “But we had a deal, remember?”
Kenna glanced at Duncan, then back at me, my fearless friend’s eyes full of uncertainty. “I only promised for tonight.”
“Fine. Now go enjoy it!” I accented my words with a sharp shove that sent her stumbling in Duncan’s general direction. If I couldn’t face my own fears, at least I could help my friend face hers.
Duncan rushed forward with a grin and took her hand—and she let him keep it. As they walked away, I hoped she would keep other things, like her promise to give him a fair chance. I felt sure that if she did, she’d change her mind about leaving.
A wave of panic rose within me at the thought of a future without her, but I forced it down. Wrapping my arms around my waist against a sudden chill, I walked over to the french doors and leaned against the frame to contemplate the moonlit garden. Tonight at midnight, the bridge would open and I would be there, journal in hand, with or without my best friend.
Sometimes running away was the brave thing to do.
CHAPTER 29
Mackenna
Sometimes running away like a coward was the only thing to do. Especially where dancing—the gateway drug to love—was concerned.
As the heart takes flight and your daydreams appear, any kind of thing can happen. A yes leads to hands and cheeks pressed, the brush of bodies as they sway. It would lead to sweating, and kissing. And romance. Which was to be avoided like the plague.
Duncan’s velvet gaze searched my face as he waited for my answer. Would I care to dance? He might as well have asked me if I wanted to flush my dreams down the toilet. No thank you. Duncan’s eyes widened slightly, cluing me in that I’d spoken aloud. His eagerness vanished as I quickly pointed toward my toes. “Two left feet—
