After seeing Wicked, Vee had adopted Elphaba’s anthem as her own. She channeled the song whenever she felt hopeless or scared. If there was ever a time to defy some gravity, it was now.
As the Doonians anxiously waited for her to speak, I lifted my hand and waved until I caught her eye. Then I circled my fingers around my head and steepled them into the image of a pointy hat. Vee cocked her head in question. I repeated the gesture, then pointed to the sky and extended my arms like I was flying.
When she grinned, I knew she got it. The transformation was instantaneous. She straightened her spine and tilted her chin—my bestie becoming a ruler before my eyes.
Queen Veronica raised her hand and silence fell with the hushed expectancy of an opening stage curtain. “I know you all have a million questions, and I will do my best to answer them. What I will tell you first is that many of your loved ones are safe.”
There was a collective intake of breath before she continued. “Kenna and Duncan led many of the children and elderly across the bridge to Alloway, and most of the others are camping in a safe location here in Doon. We did sustain some losses during the earthquake, in addition to those who chose to pledge to the witch.”
A large man I’d never seen before shouted, “We’re almost out o’ food. How soon can we leave to join the others?”
“It’s good to see you, Mr. MacDonald.” Vee granted the man her patented PR smile and his cheeks flushed slightly. “We’ll set off as soon as it’s safe.”
She glanced back at Jamie, who stood near her left elbow. “Sunrise,” he answered. “The trail is too dangerous for two-hundred-odd people to traverse in the dark. We canna risk drawin’ attention with torch light.”
There were a few more logistical queries before an Asian man I recognized from the marketplace called out, “What’s your plan, Your Majesty? To take back our kingdom?”
The silence that followed was so deafening, you could have heard a hairpin drop.
Vee’s smile faded, her demeanor mirroring the severity of the question as she replied in a clear, strong voice. “As you may know, the witch has taken control of the castle, and we’ve gathered intelligence that she is attempting to raise an army of the undead.”
Everyone began talking at once. Shouts of panic and murmured prayers punctuated the chaos as the acoustics in the cave magnified the sounds of their fear. I saw Vee’s lips move; watched as she raised her hand and the Ring of Aontacht ignited in a flash of red that bathed the cavern in bloody light.
When everyone’s attention shifted back to her, she lowered her arm, light still pulsing from the ring. “I know you’re afraid, but that’s exactly what Adelaide wants. If we allow it, she will herd us all like lambs to the slaughter. But I, for one, will not give up Doon without a fight!”
Tears sprang to my eyes as the people cheered and raised their fists with shouts of solidarity. My focus shifted to Jamie, who gazed at Vee with more wonder and love than that of Romeo for his Juliet. I knew in that moment, whatever he was hiding from her wasn’t strong enough to withstand their bond.
Oblivious to her prince’s adoration, my bestie continued her monologue. “Mr. Chang asked me what the plan is and I do have one, but I will need each of you to do your part to complete it. First, if you choose to pledge your life to Doon, we will hold a brief fealty ceremony. Your vow to the crown and the Protector should earn you a measure of protection against the witch’s power. But you must examine your heart, as the pledge will only work if you commit to protect Doon, no matter the cost.”
There were murmurs of assent amongst the crowd, which Vee spoke over as she hit her stride. “Secondly, with the help of others and a lot of faith, I was able to sneak into the castle and obtain this.”
She raised a tear-shaped vial; the liquid inside shimmered like sunlight on water despite the dreariness of the cave. “This is Saint Sabastian’s elixir. It has been blessed from the heavens with the ability to drive out evil—a power that, according to legend, not even the witch can withstand.”
She talked about the potion with such conviction that I