Destined for Doon Read Online Free Page B

similarities . . . but whatever this is seems to be contained to the Northern Borders. We need more information.”
    “How do I fit in?”
    Vee was a one-woman research facility and Fiona had sight into the supernatural realms — together they were a problem-solving dream team. I failed to see how I could contribute . . . unless they needed someone to headline a half-time show.
    “A couple o’ days after the farm, Veronica had a vision of you standing near the border surrounded by a green light. Fiona thinks that the light symbolizes the Ring of Aontacht. She believes that you’re meant to come back to Doon to assist in whatever we’re facing.”
    The plane began to taxi. “What do you think?”
    “Doesna matter. I do as my queen bids me.” Pressing his lips together, he gripped his armrests and stared at the seat in front of him. When the plane picked up speed, I covered his hand with mine. His warmth comforted me as we shot into the sky. As soon as the plane leveled off Duncan lifted my hand and placed it in my lap without making a big deal. But the message was loud and clear. Regardless of what Doon or her Queen needed, he didn’t want anything to do with me.
    Reclining his seat, he opened his book and began to read. “It’s a long flight. Ye best try and get some rest.”
    I was reminded, yet again, that I had a lot to atone for. Duncan had certainly made it clear that coming to get me wasn’t his choice . . . but maybe with time, we could go back to before. If I could help Vee save his kingdom maybe he would see me as someone worthy of a second chance.

CHAPTER 3
    Veronica
    F airy tales made it look so easy. The girl finds her prince, they fall in love, a crown is placed on her head, and voila! A new queen is born! The stories never mention the killer learning curve: court politics, indigenous customs, royal protocol, and hundreds of years of history to memorize. And don’t even get me started on all the names. If I met one more Ewan, I’d have to start sticking color-coded name tags on people just to keep track of which Ewan belonged to which clan.
    It was hard work, but as I stared out at the grand throne room — the crisscrossing vaults of the three-story ceiling, the colorful tapestries bringing Doonian history to life, and the long plaid carpet leading to the dais I now sat on — my destiny had never been clearer. More than anything I wanted to prove that I could be the queen Doon needed — that I’d been Called here for this specific purpose.
    However, there was a fine line between leadership and conformity, and some antiquated traditions were meant to be broken.

    “Is this really necessary?” I wiggled beneath the royal blue cloak and searched its heavy folds for an opening. The eighty-five degree heat combined with my frazzled nerves made the velvet cape feel like a pressure cooker. I made a mental note to commission a modern antiperspirant research team. The baking soda I’d patted under my arms that morning was long gone.
    “Yes, ’tis necessary, and so is this.” Fiona opened an intricately carved wooden box and removed the most ornate crown I’d ever seen in real life. Golden peaks of alternating heights flashed with green and blue jewels the size of my thumb. “The hearing of the grievances is quite a serious matter in Doon. These implements are all about the perception of authority.”
    “What about the perception of a queen who faints upon the throne because she’s drowning in her own cloak?” I hissed, not wanting the guards stationed around the room to hear me. My fingers finally found a gap in the layers of fabric, and, inhaling with a sharp gasp, I swept the bejeweled material over one shoulder.
    So far, Fiona had been a God-send. I’d congratulated myself on the brilliance of making the wiser-than-her-years girl my chief advisor, but as she placed the weighty diadem on my head, I was forced to rethink that decision.
    Fiona tsked under her breath and closed the robe,