The Frog Prince (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 2)

by A. G. Marshall

  Carina nodded.

  “You claim the kraken aren’t under your control, but the one that attacked last night was summoned.”

  Kathelin sighed.

  “Yes, Leander is brash sometimes. He called the kraken to help him escape, and I apologize that it also took your ship.”

  “So you do have control over them,” Carina said.

  “We have some control, but we are rapidly losing it. The dark creatures of the deep are stronger than we’ve ever seen them. Our magic isn’t enough. We need your help. Give us the Kraken Heart, and we can fix everything.”

  King Gustave cleared his throat.

  “The Kraken Heart?”

  Kathelin smiled at him as if he were a student who had passed a difficult exam.

  “The enchanted sapphire. It was taken from the sea centuries ago. If you return it to the sea, we can subdue the kraken again.”

  Stefan stared at the mermaid. This was her plan? To swim into the harbor and ask for the enchanted gem?

  Carina looked equally stunned.

  “You want us to give you the sapphire? Just like that?”

  “It will do more good in the sea,” Kathelin said. “We know you have it. Leander almost got it, but your alarms startled him.”

  Carina tossed the ball into the air.

  “You admit to breaking into the treasury?”

  She caught the ball and clung to it. Beside her, Gustave leaned forward. He still held the carving knife. Kathelin grinned at them.

  “Althea and Leander thought it would be simplest to take the gem by force. Your security caught them by surprise. But I have always heard that humans are reasonable. Asking seems far easier than stealing.”

  Carina swallowed.

  “I can’t just give you the gem.”

  “Why not? You aren’t doing anything with it. You don’t even know how to use it. Those poor guards could take a break and get some sunlight if they didn’t have to watch it all day.”

  Stefan hated to admit it, but Kathelin had a point. The gem wasn’t doing any good locked up in Santelle’s treasury.

  Carina looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Stefan shrugged.

  “I don’t trust her,” he said. “But maybe we could use the gem to stop the kraken.”

  “If you know how to use enchanted gems, I encourage you to try,” Kathelin said. “But the gem was enchanted by a mermaid. It would be easiest for a mermaid to use it.”

  “And what if this is just a trick?” Stefan said. “What if you’re just after Santelle’s treasure?”

  “I have no use for pretty baubles. I want to help you. To help everyone.”

  Kathelin beamed at him. Carina shook her head.

  “When I say I can’t give it to you, I mean it. I have no authority to negotiate, and the gem doesn’t belong to me. You’ll have to speak to my father.”

  “But surely he would listen to you. He spends more time with you than the rest of his children. We assumed you were his favorite.”

  Carina laughed, but the sound wasn’t happy.

  “My father won’t listen to me. Not about something this big.”

  “Perhaps Althea’s original plan would work better with your consent. You could let me kidnap you. We would trade you back to your father in exchange for the gem.”

  “You tried to kidnap me to get the sapphire?”

  Stefan hopped in front of Carina, shielding her from the mermaid. It was a ridiculous gesture, but he had to do something.

  Beside him, Gustave raised the knife in warning. Kathelin raised her hands.

  “I see that suggestion is not welcome. I am willing to meet with your father, but it has to be today. My time is short. The kraken are restless.”

  Stefan looked back at Carina. She seemed to be considering the offer. She met his eyes and smiled.

  “I could ask him to meet you, but I would need a gesture of good will.”

  “What gesture do you speak of?”

  “Return the missing ships and break the frog’s curse.”

  Stefan’s heart skipped a beat. Carina was negotiating for him?

  For the first time in their meeting, Kathelin frowned.

  “Have you not been listening to me? I am not strong enough to control the kraken without the gem. I can’t return your ships.”

  “Then break his curse.”

  Carina picked Stefan up and held him towards the mermaid. Kathelin shook her head.

  “I can’t do that either. The curse can only be broken one way, and I am not qualified.”

  “Then find someone who is.”

  Kathelin winked at her.

  “That isn’t the problem, dear.”

  “This isn’t a joke!”

  “Of course not. But I have every reason to believe the curse will be broken soon. And I can return your ships if you give me the Kraken Heart.”

  Gustave placed his hand on Carina’s shoulder. She looked ready to jump into the harbor and strangle the mermaid. Stefan turned to face her.

  “Stay calm. We’ll figure out something.”

  Gustave set the knife down and crawled forward on the blanket.

  “Kathelin, we have friends on those ships. We are concerned for their lives. This is a serious matter for us.”

  “If that is true, why do you hesitate to give me the gem? I can control the kraken and return your friends.”

  “And what if you attack us instead?” Stefan asked. “Why would we give such a powerful gem to someone who-”

  He paused. He couldn’t talk about the curse or anything he had seen. He couldn’t risk Heinrich’s life again.

  If Heinrich was still alive. How much could he trust what Kathelin said? What if she was just telling them what they wanted to hear?

  If that was the case, she wasn’t doing a great job.

  A low roar echoed through the harbor. Carina tossed her golden ball in the air, capturing Kathelin’s concerned expression. The mermaid sighed.

  “Our time together is over. Bring the Kraken Heart to the docks tonight, and I will fix everything. If you don’t, I won’t be able to help you.”

  She dove into the water and disappeared.

  38

  Carina stared at the ripples the mermaid left in the harbor. That hadn’t gone at all like she planned. She was less surprised by seeing the actual mermaid than she was by Kathelin’s request for the sapphire.

  It all came back to the gem. The treasury break-in. The missing ships. The attempted kidnapping.

  And somehow, the frog’s curse.

  She searched the horizon for any sign of the mermaid, then gave up and turned to her companions.

  “Well,” she said.

  “Well, indeed,” Gustave said. “That mermaid has some nerve.”

  Carina nodded.

  “At least I captured an impression of her. I finally have proof for my father.”

  The frog jumped onto her lap.

  “Thank you for negotiating to break the curse.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work. And I’m sorry I couldn’t convince her to return the ships.”

  “Her demands were ridiculous,” Gustave said. “Does she really think you’d be foolish enough to give her the enchanted gem?”

  “Apparently.”

  Carina couldn’t help laughing a little. The frog scratched his head, deep in thought.

  “If the gem really does control the kraken, what’s to keep her from making them attack more ships once she has it?”

  Carina shook her head.

  “Nothing, I suppose. If any magic is powerful enough to control monsters, that gem might be. I can’t believe I just talked to a mermaid. This is crazy.”

  Gustave nodded.

  “I wasn’t sure they existed.”

  “Until a few days ago, I was certain they didn’t. We should go back to the castle. I told her the truth. I have no authority to negotiate on behalf of Santelle. In fact, it would be treason if I did.”

  Gustave eyed the picnic blanket cove
red with dishes and food scraps.

  “Would it be terrible to leave this here? I really don’t want to carry that basket back up the hill.”

  The frog croaked.

  “It would serve them right for locking us out of the castle. Let them lose some of the good crystal.”

  Carina grinned.

  “I agree. Let’s leave it.”

  She stood and set the frog on her shoulder. Gustave offered his arm, and they walked up the path to the castle. Carina’s heart pounded. At last, she had evidence. She could prove her worth to Santelle.

  She could stop pretending to woo Gustave and take her place in the navy with her siblings. She could help Serafina become an admiral again.

  A wide smile covered her face.

  “You may get to meet with my father before I do,” she said. “Can you convince him to see me if that’s the case?”

  Gustave grimaced.

  “Given how little effort he’s made to clear his schedule, I’m not sure I’ll have a chance to speak with him at all today. But I will certainly make an effort.”

  Franco met them at the gate when they returned to the castle.

  “Did Your Majesties have a good lunch?”

  “Lovely,” Carina said. “We left everything by the harbor for you to clean up.”

  The steward’s smug expression faltered.

  “And I need to see my father,” Carina said. “I have something important to tell him.”

  Franco nodded.

  “He thought you might. Will King Gustave be joining you?”

  Carina glanced at Gustave, then shook her head.

  “No. I prefer to tell my father this alone.”

  “Very well. In that case, the marquis would like to speak with you, King Gustave. Princess Carina, your father is in his office.”

  Franco gestured for Gustave to follow him. The king scowled but complied. Carina took a deep breath and walked through the castle.

  “It might be best if you stay hidden,” Carina said. “My father doesn’t exactly like you right now.”

  “Would it help if I spoke to him? I can’t guarantee I would answer all his questions, but-”

  “No,” Carina said. “If the proof from the golden ball doesn’t convince him, nothing will. It isn’t worth the risk.”

  Frogs were delicate, and her father had a bad temper. She wouldn’t let him get hurt.

  The frog puffed out his chest.

  “I want to help you.”

  “And I want to keep you safe. You can hide in my pocket.”

  “Your pocket? I am not a delicate maiden who needs to be protected.”

  “Neither am I.”

  He glared at her. Carina glared back. She understood the frog’s desire to help, but she wouldn’t risk his safety.

  The frog sighed.

  “If it will make you feel better,” he said at last.

  “It will.”

  The frog stuck his tongue out at her and jumped into her hand. She slipped him into her pocket and pulled out the golden ball.

  39

  Stefan squirmed against the fabric. He understood Carina’s reasons for hiding him, but he didn’t like it. He should be protecting her, not cowering in her pocket.

  Not that he was cowering. He was ready to jump out and kick something if it would help. Carina patted her pocket before dropping into a curtsy.

  “Carina, welcome.”

  The king’s voice was friendlier than it had been at breakfast. Stefan relaxed a little. Maybe it would be alright.

  “Father.”

  Carina’s voice sounded tight. Was she that nervous?

  “So, you’re engaged to King Gustave. Congratulations.”

  He sounded pleased. Certain. Stefan swallowed. That explained Carina’s nerves.

  “No, I’m not. He isn’t interested in me.”

  There was a moment of quiet as King Giuseppe inhaled. And exhaled.

  “Marquis Corbeau assured us that King Gustave was interested. Very interested. And yet you failed to secure his proposal?”

  “The marquis was misinformed.”

  “Blast it all, Carina! I can’t keep putting him off like I have. How much more time do you need? You’ve been incompetent since that blasted Princess Test!”

  “He doesn’t want to get married. And I’m not incompetent. I found proof that sea monsters have been taking our ships. I found proof of mermaids.”

  “Carina, I told you to leave that alone. Your orders are to secure a proposal. Not investigate fanciful stories!”

  Stefan couldn’t see anything from inside the pocket, but the king’s tone made him angry. How dare he speak to Carina that way after everything she had done for Santelle?

  He wriggled, trying to get out. Carina placed a hand over her dress and pinned him to her leg.

  “Just look at the golden ball, Father. See what I saw this afternoon on my picnic with Gustave.”

  Carina shook as she offered the ball. But the king must have taken it because an uncomfortably long silence followed. She loosened her grip on Stefan, but not enough that he could get out.

  “What is this supposed to prove?” King Giuseppe asked.

  “It was a mermaid. We spoke to her.”

  “Indeed. And what do you think of this mermaid’s demands?”

  Carina straightened until she stood at full attention.

  “She made requests, sir. Not demands. She would like to meet with you to discuss the enchanted sapphire.”

  “And how does she know about that? Have you been telling Santelle’s secrets to strangers?”

  “Of course not, sir. She said she knew because she broke into the treasury.”

  The pause that followed seemed dangerous. Stefan tried again to escape the pocket, but Carina held him tight.

  “Let me make something clear, Carina. Your only mission is to secure the King of Montaigne’s proposal. I do not want you gathering information. I do not want you collaborating. If you were anyone but my daughter, you would be in prison by now for disobeying orders. Your position is unique, but it is not to be abused.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “If I find that you have spoken to anyone about these matters, I will have them stripped of their rank entirely. Is that understood? You are not to discuss this with anyone. Even your mother.”

  “Yes, sir. What about the mermaid, sir? Would you like to meet with her?”

  “No. For all I know, this was a woman going for a swim. Even if it were a mermaid, I refuse to discuss our secret enchanted gem with someone who shouldn’t even know about it. The king of the mermaids can send an official envoy if he wishes to discuss a treaty. Do I make myself clear?”

  Carina nodded. Stefan pushed against her leg and croaked.

  “And get rid of the frog, Carina,” King Giuseppe said. “It will be difficult to secure King Gustave’s affection if you’re carrying an amphibian in your pocket.”

  “He likes the frog, sir. We talked about him all afternoon.”

  “So you spent your time discussing amphibians instead of marriage?”

  “No, sir. Marriage was discussed.”

  “Give me the frog, Carina.”

  Stefan felt her step back.

  “I said to give me the frog! Are you disobeying a direct order?”

  “No, sir. But King Gustave really does like the frog. He’ll be upset if something happens to it.”

  Stefan tried to speak, but Carina had him pressed against her leg. He could barely breathe.

  “This is the last exception I’m willing to make, Carina. Do you really want to waste it on a frog?”

  She said nothing. The king growled.

  “Disobey me again, and you will be punished to the fullest measure of the law. I don’t care if it ruins your marriage prospects with King Gustave. I don’t care if you are my daughter.”

  A moment of silence followed. Something in the room clacked. Had the king set something on his desk?

  Whatever the action, it made Carina
tremble.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Her voice was little more than a whisper.

  “And I will personally squish that creature if it causes any more trouble.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “We’re having a gala tonight to honor King Gustave. I would like it to become an engagement party. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You are dismissed.”

  Carina’s grip on Stefan loosened as she hurried from the room. He tried to escape, but he couldn’t. More than ever, he wanted to ignore the risks and speak to the king. The man had no right to bully Carina!

  As soon as she pulled her hand away, Stefan jumped out of her pocket. They were back at the pond where they’d met. He hopped onto a rock so he was eye level with her.

  “I’ll kick him in the face,” he said. “I’m a wild animal. I can get away with things like that.”

  Carina laughed, but tears glittered in her eyes.

  “He meant what he said. He’ll kill you. It’s best if you don’t go near him.”

  “Let me speak to him! I’ll prove-”

  “You’ll prove that a talking frog exists. That’s all. He didn’t believe in the mermaid. I was so sure he would.”

  Carina held the golden ball in her palm. She looked at the water as if she wanted to throw it in the pond and be done with the whole thing. Finally, she slipped it back into her pocket.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she said. “I’m trying. I really am. But it doesn’t matter. No one sees it.”

  “I see it.”

  “So, what now?”

  Stefan’s heart dropped. What, indeed?

  “Why does he want you to marry Gustave so much?”

  “He wants someone to report on the doings in Montaigne, but I think it’s more than that now. I’ve disobeyed his orders more than once in the last few days. This is his way of bringing an unruly sailor back into order.”

  “But you aren’t a sailor. You’re his daughter.”

  Carina shook her head.

  “Santelle doesn’t work like that. Everyone has a role to play, and I’m failing in mine. He’s actually being very tolerant. It is a simple mission. I’ve completed more difficult ones without trouble.”

  “You’ve served as his spy for a long time?”