“No. That’s as stupid as picking Sofia just because his mommy liked her.”
“What did you say?” I spun on my friend, whose eyes had become as big as silver dollars.
“Ah, well it’s no biggie.” Kenna turned to lean heavily on the stone wall, avoiding my probing gaze.
“Who told you that?”
“Duncan might have mentioned that—” Kenna sighed and then rushed on. “That their mother favored Sofia.”
And Jamie loves her. Perfect.
I turned to stare out at the lake, the natural beauty had lost its powers. Sofia being Jamie’s sainted mother’s favorite was just another confirmation that he and I weren’t meant to be together. “What else did Duncan say?”
Before Kenna could answer, Fiona joined us by the battlement wall. “M’ladies, ye are not supposed ta be wandering alone.”
“We’re perfectly fine …” Kenna’s words dropped off as we turned toward Fiona, who tilted her head to the side, gesturing toward the dark outline of a man concealed in the opposite corner of the stone terrace.
“’Tis Gideon,” Fiona stated matter-of-factly.
As the captain of the guard stepped out into the moonlight, I almost didn’t recognize him. Dark purple bruises shadowed his sunken eyes. His normally ruddy complexion appeared pale, almost translucent. “Is something wrong with him?”
“I’m beginning to wonder,” Fiona replied, her brows gathering in concern.
“Well, Gideon can go take a flying leap off a turret! In fact—” Kenna turned toward the skulking shadow.
“Nay, Mackenna.” Fiona’s voice was firm as she grabbed Kenna’s upper arm to stop her. “’Tis clear he is only watching ye. Dinna provoke him.”
Kenna stared angrily at Fiona for a brief moment before her irritation melted from her face and she shrugged. “Sorry, Fiona, I’m just not used to my every move being stalked, and it’s putting me on edge.”
I knew the feeling. It was beginning to see my time in Doon as one big test of patience. Glancing at the shadowy corner, I could no longer see Gideon but knew in my gut he still lingered.
“Gideon has a lot on his mind. We’ve just received reports that black petunias have sprouted around the witches’ cottage.” Fiona wrung her fingers, her eyes darting around the open area of the battlements furtively. The contrast between her current demeanor and her usual ultra-calm manner was a bit disconcerting.
“Didn’t Duncan say nothing has grown there since the witches were destroyed?” I asked.
“Aye. But the black flowers are spreading in waves as if—” She trailed off, swallowing the rest of her words.
“As if what?” Kenna prompted.
“Nothin’ you need to worry about.” A too-bright smile chased away the trepidation on Fiona’s face. “I’ve had the kitchen prepare a tray of hot cocoa and cookies ta be sent to yer rooms. Would ye fancy some girl time?”
I hesitated, debating whether or not to pursue the questions spinning in my head. Black flowers growing where nothing has grown for hundreds of years? As if … As if the witches were back. As if the witches were us. No wonder Jamie treated me with suspicion; on the surface I looked guilty as sin. I would have to find a way to prove my innocence, starting tomorrow. Tonight I needed to take a break from the drama that was or wasn’t going on between me and the future ruler of Doon.
Linking arms with my new friend, I said, “Girl time sounds like heaven to me.” Kenna took Fiona’s other arm and we moved toward a doorway to the side of the Great Hall. I had no interest in returning to the festivities to watch Jamie romance half the kingdom, especially not a certain petite Italian.
CHAPTER 17
Veronica