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.
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.
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.
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.
Then I stopped.
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.
Now for the hard part.
Duncan’s voice held a sense of urgency. “Mackenna? Where are ye?”
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.
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!”
The mists began to dissipate. For several moments, 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.
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.
The hymn, clear and pure, rose into the night air, causing my heart to swell within my chest.
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.
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
