Jamie was up in a heartbeat, his powerful arms steadying me.
“Please don’t,” I whispered, trying to twist away from him. He loosened his hold but didn’t let me go. Afraid if I met his eyes he would try to kiss me again—and this time, I wouldn’t have the strength to resist—I stared at the spot where the edge of his sweater met his neck. It was such a nice neck: smooth, tan skin, the slightest bit of stubble leading up to his square jaw, and—the delectable dimple in his chin. Then my hand was on his face, my thumb sweeping across the indentation that’d fascinated me from the first moment I saw him.
Apparently, I had no willpower whatsoever.
I lifted my eyes to his and felt dizzy, like gazing into an endless midnight sky sprinkled with stars. Gently, he took my hand away from his face and held it between us, his expression becoming uncertain.
“I’m not myself around you, Verranica. When you look at me with those captivating sea-green eyes, I canna even think straight.” He swallowed, hard. “I canna fight what I feel for you any longer … I dinna want to.”
My voice stuck in my throat. As I searched his face, a gust of wind blew down the chimney, fanning the flames and causing sparks to sputter onto the hearth. I couldn’t let him say any more; I had to find a way to convince him I wasn’t the right choice for him or his kingdom.
Pulling out of his arms, I pursed my lips. “Do you want to know what I think?” Before he could respond, I continued, “I think the Divine Protector of Doon would be gravely disappointed that his new king was being so selfish. If your faith was strong, you would know the warning dreams were for good reason.” I watched him turn steely, but I rushed on.
“We aren’t meant to be together, Jamie.” I swiped at my tears. Now was not a time for crying. There would be time enough for that later. “You asked me if I care for you, but my feelings are irrelevant. So are yours. Don’t you see? It’s not about us. It’s about what’s best for the people of Doon. Your people.”
“Don’t I get a say in what’s best for my people?” he asked as he stalked toward me. I held up my hands to warn him off, as I could see by the hardening of his expression his patience had come to an end.
“You don’t even know me, Jamie. How could you know if I’m good for the kingdom or not? You know nothing about my life before I came here.” On shaky legs, I slumped down on the couch, and cleared my throat before continuing. “I’m just a momentary distraction. You’ll forget about me once I cross over the bridge.”
“Never.” His jaw was set in rigid determination, but it was his dark, imploring eyes that sucked the fight right out of me. “Vee, you dinna—”
“Just stop.” I shook my head. This conversation was getting us nowhere. “Can we talk about this later? I’m so tired.” It wasn’t a lie. As I curled my legs beneath me, I yawned and my eyelids fluttered closed for several seconds. Emotionally and physically drained, I didn’t have the strength left to argue.
Despite my best efforts to stay upright, my head lowered to the arm of the couch, and exhaustion washed over me like a corporeal force.
Several moments later, I blinked to discover Jamie as he squatted down in front of me, concern shining from his face. He reached out and tenderly brushed my hair off my cheek.
“Do the right thing …” I wasn’t sure if I spoke the words aloud or said them in my head. “Make Sofia your queen.”
“Dinna worry, I will … Sleep now, love. We have the morrow.”
I think I smiled at him—my beautiful prince, I thought dreamily, before sleep swept me away.