King MacCrae gestured for Gideon to approach the throne. Purple with indignation, Gideon reached into his vest. After a ridiculous amount of searching and patting, he produced the rings. Rather than hand them over immediately, he stammered, “M’ laird, what if these trinkets be forgeries? Or cursed? They need ta be evaluated before—”
The king silenced him with an elegant flick of his wrist, then extended his hand and waited until Gideon surrendered the bands. They came to rest in the monarch’s palm with a subdued clink.
King MacCrae took a ring in each hand and examined them. I watched mute, as he went into a trance-like state and held the rings reverently skyward. His lips moved in silent prayer. At long last, he proclaimed, “These are, indeed, the Rings of Aontacht. Where did ye get them?”
“They were left to me by my aunt Gracie and uncle Cameron.” Kenna’s voice rang through the hall.
“You’re a relative of Cameron Lockhart?” As Kenna nodded, the auld laird favored her with a smile. “This explains much.”
Jamie emerged from the crowd, apparently recovered from his moment of humiliation. “Father, just because these girls have the Rings of Aontacht does not mean they should be absolved. They could yet be aligned with the witch.”
Without a trace of his characteristic smirk, Duncan interjected, “Or not.”
Kenna sighed. “Just take us back to the bridge. We’ll use the rings to go home. Problem solved.”
My stomach bungee-jumped into my toes. Of course, leaving was preferable to death, but I wasn’t ready to give up on this place … or on him.
I ignored the impulse to glance at Jamie and instead focused on the one person who held our fate, King MacCrae. The same shrewd expression I’d seen on the faces of his sons now emerged on his. “I am afraid ’tis not so easily settled, lass. These rings belong to Doon. They will be locked safely in the chapel until Doon has need of them again.”
“But—” Kenna sputtered. I knew she was thinking about her internship, life moving on without her in the modern world.
As if he could read her thoughts as well, the king elaborated. “Questions have been raised, Miss Reid, as to the purpose of your sudden arrival in our kingdom. You and Miss Welling will stay here in Doon for the next fortnight. At that time, the Brig o’ Doon will open for the Centennial and ye will be able to leave without use of the rings. Until then, my kingdom is at your disposal. Fiona and Fergus will remain in your service.”
Gideon’s odious voice interrupted again. “But sire—”
“Gideon, it has been spoken. I will no’ change my mind. M’ ladies, ye have been granted a rare opportunity. Most travelers get only one day, but you have two weeks ta come to know Doon and its people. And for us to know you. At the Centennial, however, you must make the choice all outsiders are tasked with. Ye must choose whether to remain in Doon or leave us forever.”
“Sire—” Gideon halted under the king’s withering stare and dropped his beady eyes to the tip of his boot. The auld laird rose, and his sons each rushed to support him. As he leaned on his heirs, King MacCrae pronounced in a most wise and fatherly voice, “As Laird MacCrae, I welcome ye to Doon. Tomorrow my sons will present to you their kingdom. Ye must forgive my absence, but my health is not what it once was. Jamie will serve in my place.”
Despite the distasteful grimace that moved across his face, I had to admit Jamie played the role of prince to perfection. With a deep, courtly bow, he said, “Miss Reid, Miss—uh—Welling, please permit me and m’ brother, Duncan, to escort you about our kingdom tomorrow.”
As he straightened, I nodded my acceptance. His eyes met mine briefly, before a furrow formed between his dark gold brows and he turned away.
In a low voice meant only for me, Kenna muttered, “Oh joy, a whole day with Prince Not-So-Charming and the overly flirtatious ogre.”
I turned to face her, the fatigue I felt reflected in her face. Grabbing her hand, I smiled. “It’s okay, Ken. Just think of it like a vacation.”