“I asked her to leave. Unlike some people, she knows how to listen,” he snarled between clenched teeth, taking my plate and setting it on the table behind me.
“An important trait if she’s going to get along with you for the rest of her life,” I spat, just as I realized he was reaching for my hand.
“What’re you doing?” I asked, my muscles stiffening in rebellion.
“Dancing. I thought that was obvious.” With a show of teeth, he ordered, “Smile.”
Sweeping me into his arms, I could tell he was still angry, but clearly didn’t want everyone in the kingdom to know it. So I complied with a pasted-on smile as my body began moving effortlessly in time with his.
“I think you should know, my dance card is full, your eminence,” I said with undisguised sarcasm. Despite the glittering circlet on his head, I couldn’t think of him as a king. He was still the beautiful boy from my visions, who laughingly spoke with his mouth full and kissed me with so much passion I felt it all the way to my toes.
“Dance card, eh?”
“Yes, as we speak you’re stealing me from some poor soul who asked for my first dance hours ago.”
Something dark flared in his eyes, his smile fading. “Let me see it.”
“See what?”
“Yer dance card.”
There was no dance card and we both knew it.
“I lost it?” I said, glancing up at him hopefully.
His loud laughter drew the attention of everyone around us. “Verranica, ye never cease to amaze me.”
Longing and sorrow swirled in my chest, threatening to erupt. I knew this was the end—the last moments I would spend with the boy I loved more than my own life. I tried to console myself with the fact that even if he did choose me, he’d leave me eventually, like every other man in my life. But the thought was petty and I knew it.
“Hey, where did ye go?” Jamie asked, squeezing my hand and trying to catch my eye.
Afraid to meet his gaze and reveal the ache burning inside me, I concentrated on the slope of his shoulder. “I’m still here.” For the moment, I thought, noting the late hour on the grandfather clock as we twirled past.
Two more hours, Veronica. You can do this.
“Jamie, I’m glad you made the right decision.” I glanced at his face but he fixed me with a deeply penetrating stare, and I quickly refocused back to his shoulder. “About the Completing, I mean.”
“Vee, look at me.” He pressed the flat of his palm into the curve of my lower back and electric sparks shot up my spine. “Please, love.”
Slowly, I lifted my head.
“My ma would’ve been so happy tonight,” he whispered, his whole face lighting up.
“Why?” Our feet had stilled until we stood swaying, our bodies pressed close.
“She was the one who groomed me, since I could walk, for the role of king. Teaching me to think with the right balance between head and heart.” A small smile tilted his lips and he touched his temple, then the left side of his chest with two fingers, before taking my hand again. “She also never let me forget that as a leader there is a price for every decision, not just for me but for others. That the right choice could sometimes contradict my own wishes or those of the people, but that a strong ruler will make the choice that is best for all.”
“I remember what you said on the cliffs. I get it Jamie—the price of being with me is too high.” My voice broke and I shook my head, his face blurry through the veil of my unshed tears.
“That’s no—”
“It’s okay.” I cut him off. I didn’t want to hear the words that would confirm I was the second choice of someone I loved—yet again. “You have to put the safety of your people first. It’s very noble—”
“Och, no,” he ground out with determination, his midnight eyes boring into mine. “If ye willna listen to me, then maybe you’ll listen to this.”