“You can borrow some of my clothes if you like. Maybe you can get a job as a sailor.”
“You’re insufferable.”
She swished her tattered skirt as she walked towards him. Her golden hair hung loose and waved in the wind.
Stefan wrapped his arm around her. He supposed that might get old sometime, but it hadn’t yet. He loved having arms and being able to hold Carina. It was much better than perching on her shoulder as a frog.
“The captain says we’re making good time,” he said. “We should reach shore by nightfall.”
Carina leaned her head against him.
“Excellent.”
Stefan kissed her forehead. Carina smiled at him.
“You’re not going to become proper once we’re back in your castle, are you?” she asked.
Stefan raised an eyebrow.
“I doubt it. I wasn’t proper before. Why do you ask?”
“Just making sure. I like you like this.”
“With arms and legs?”
“Casual and fun.”
Stefan grinned.
“Oh, we’re going to have a lot of fun. Lina and Alaric take things very seriously. They could use more excitement in their life.”
Carina studied his face.
“You’re cute when you’re scheming.”
Stefan grinned. She was perfect. Hard to believe he had once thought her bland. He held her tighter.
“And if we get bored with life in the castle, I’m sure they could use an experienced spy to help them deal with Gaveron and other troublemakers.”
“Even better.”
They stood together as the coast drew nearer and nearer.
Their arrival was less dramatic than Stefan had planned. Gruff’s ship sailed into port just as the sun set. There were no cheering crowds. No royal welcome committee.
Just Carina by his side, her head resting on his shoulder. Heinrich bustled behind them, saying goodbye to the sailors and making sure he had packed all his sewing supplies.
Overhead, seagulls flew through the ship’s rigging. Their mournful cries added a touch of melancholy to the evening.
Stefan smiled. This wasn’t how he had pictured it, but it was perfect. Carina snuggled closer to him and squeezed his hand.
“Just so you know, we’re sharing the wedding gift.”
Stefan scoffed.
“You can’t give yourself as a wedding gift. Besides it was my idea to fetch you.”
Carina glared at him.
“You’re insufferable as a human. You know that?”
“You may have mentioned it once or twice.”
She smirked.
“Fine. I know what I’m giving them, then.”
“Oh?”
“You.”
Stefan sputtered.
“You can’t give Alaric his own brother as a wedding gift!”
“Can’t I? I broke your curse. If it weren’t for me, you would still be a frog.”
Stefan glared at her, but her smile didn’t falter. He needed to work harder on his acting. Carina saw right through him.
“Fine,” he said. “We’ll be each other’s wedding presents. It will save us the trouble of shopping.”
Carina tilted her head up and studied his face.
“You know, you are surprisingly thoughtful.”
“Keep that to yourself, would you? I have a reputation to uphold. If word gets out that I’m mature and responsible now, they’ll find all kinds of jobs for me to do.”
“Oh, I never said you were mature and responsible. Just thoughtful.”
“That shouldn’t offend me, but for some reason it does.”
Carina pulled his head down and kissed him.
“I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
The ship docked. Stefan left Heinrich to deal with the repair arrangements and pulled Carina through the streets. The town was quiet. Everyone was either asleep or completing last minute preparations for the wedding tomorrow.
The castle gates were locked. Of course, they were. It was after sunset.
“Should we climb the walls instead? I know Lina had trouble getting in after dark,” Carina said.
Stefan smiled at her. Climb the walls? She really was marvelous.
And she really underestimated how tired he was.
“They’ll let us in once they see me.”
He pounded on the door. A small window opened, and a guard peered out at him.
“The gate’s closed. Come back tomorrow.”
“But I have a delivery for the royal wedding. This is important!”
“It will have to wait until tomorrow.”
Stefan stepped closer so the guard could see his face.
“Temus, it’s me. Consider this your royal order and let me in.”
The guard’s jaw dropped.
“Prince Stefan? We thought you’d been kidnapped!”
“Kidnapped? I was on a daring rescue mission, thank you very much!”
Honestly. Kidnapped? Stefan bristled. Carina’s laughter added to his outrage. It wasn’t funny.
Carina stood on tiptoe and peeked in the window.
“We’re tired from traveling. Please let us in.”
“I need Prince Alaric’s permission to open the gate. Wait there.”
Stefan sighed. Carina’s plan to climb the wall sounded better and better.
But Temus returned quickly. Alaric took one look out the window and ordered the gate open. He ran out and flung his arms around Stefan.
“Where have you been? You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried we were?”
“Can’t… breathe…” Stefan whispered.
Alaric released him.
“Where on earth did you go?”
Stefan straightened and adjusted his cloak.
“To get you a wedding present, of course.”
“Stefan, if this was some kind of prank-”
Carina stepped out of the shadows.
“He came to fetch me. I’m sorry we’re late.”
Alaric’s jaw dropped.
“Carina? Stefan, please tell me you did not kidnap a princess of Santelle.”
Carina took Stefan’s hand.
“Certainly not. I came quite willingly. And I’ll need to stay for some time if you don’t mind.”
Alaric glanced at their entwined fingers and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sure that will be fine. I want to hear everything, but I think we should fetch Lina first.”
65
“Carina, are you awake?”
Someone grabbed her shoulder and shook it gently. Carina groaned.
“I am now.”
She opened her eyes and blinked with surprise. She wasn’t in her bedroom. Where was she?
The past few days rushed back to her. The frog prince. The kraken attacks. Her banishment and the journey to Aeonia.
Aeonia!
Carina sat up and looked around the room. She was in Aeonia. The white marble columns and mosaic ceiling should have been clues enough, but it was taking her longer than usual to wake up this morning.
Someone chuckled.
“I wanted to let you sleep, but Stefan said you wouldn’t want to miss the wedding.”
Carina blinked as the face came into focus.
“Lina!”
She jumped out of bed and hugged her friend. Lina returned her embrace, still laughing.
“Where is Stefan?” Carina asked.
“He’s well. He wanted to stay with you last night to make sure you were alright, but Alaric reminded him that it isn’t proper now that he’s human. I’m not sure it was proper before.”
Carina giggled.
“I didn’t know he was human at first.”
“I want details later,” Lina said. “Stefan told us the basics last night, but I have a lot of questions.”
“I’ll tell you everything now if you want. It was quite the adventure.”
Lina grimaced.
“I wish we could just sit and talk this morning
, but apparently it takes time to get ready for a wedding.”
Carina’s eyes widened.
“The wedding! Of course, you have to get ready. We need to go to your seamstress immediately!”
“Don’t remind me. But they’re more eager to see you right now. That is if you’re willing to be my wedding attendant?”
Tears formed in Carina’s eyes.
“I didn’t write that refusal note, Lina. That was my father. Of course I want to be your wedding attendant!”
“Then we have a lot of work to do!”
The morning flew by in a blur. The dress that had been made for the duke’s daughter had to be altered for Carina. She and Lina had to have their hair done and sit for royal portraits.
“Faster! Don’t wrinkle that fabric!”
Queen Marta and Hilda bustled around, ordering a small army of maids.
“Just like the Princess Test,” Carina said.
Lina shook her head.
“This is so much worse. It’s been going on for weeks.”
“Are you nervous?”
“No. I love Alaric. I would have married him at the end of the Princess Test if I could have.”
Queen Marta patted Lina’s head, smoothing away an imaginary stray hair.
“This ceremony will show our strength to the other nations, and I wouldn’t let my son and the hero of Aeonia get married in anything less than the best.”
Carina snorted.
“I see what you mean about this being worse.”
Queen Marta turned to Carina.
“My dear, I am sorry to hear of your banishment. Although for entirely selfish reasons, I’m also glad. The castle has been far too quiet without Stefan here.”
Carina blushed.
“I’m sure he would have come back.”
“Without you? I doubt it. He’s been trying to sneak in to see you all day. The guards have been quite busy keeping him away.”
The queen turned her attention back to Lina. A group of maids brought in her wedding gown, and Queen Marta supervised the process of dressing Lina with the force of a general.
The gown was gorgeous, but Carina’s thoughts turned to Stefan. It was strange to go so long without seeing him. Strange not to have him by her side every moment.
Of course, things would change. He wasn’t a frog anymore. She wasn’t in her home country.
She frowned. He had mentioned someone else who could break the curse. Whoever that girl was, she could be in this castle.
Everyone stepped back from Lina, and Carina gasped. She looked radiant. The gown was white with pale purple accents. Silk snowbells rested on the skirt in a fluttering cascade. Small embroidered flowers embellished the bodice.
Carina smirked.
“I take it you didn’t help with the embroidery?”
Lina laughed.
“They wouldn’t let me near a needle after seeing my sewing skills at the Princess Test.”
Maids helped Carina into her own dress, a dark purple gown with flowing layers of fabric. It was too simple for her taste, but it was perfect for blending in. And Lina was the star today.
“It is time,” Queen Marta said.
Tears glistened in her eyes as she took Lina’s right hand. Carina took her left, and they walked to the throne room together.
The crowd cheered when they entered the room. Lina, Carina, and Queen Marta walked slowly towards the throne where Alaric, Stefan, and King Noam stood.
The room’s ceiling had been opened, and a gentle breeze rustled Carina’s hair. The crowd showed their enthusiasm by tossing snowbells as Lina passed. The petals fluttered through the air, glittering in the sunshine and filling the room with a floral scent.
Alaric stared at Lina with undisguised joy. His face was so radiant, it took Carina a moment to notice his ridiculous outfit. The prince’s long blond hair had been curled and decorated with tiny mirrors. His black clothes were covered with enough gems to buy a ship. The sleeves had spikes jutting out from them. What were they supposed to be? Dark icicles?
Carina studied the bizarre spikes a moment longer, then turned to Stefan.
An enormous grin lit his face when he caught her eye. She blushed and turned away. She needed to stay focused until she delivered Lina to the throne. Then she had a few questions for the prince.
They reached the throne, and the crowd cheered even louder as Queen Marta placed Lina’s hand in Alaric’s. Carina smiled at her friend and stepped to the side as she had been instructed. She was supposed to stand a few feet away from Stefan, but he closed the gap and took her hand in his.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
Carina nudged him.
“We’re supposed to be quiet.”
“No one’s paying attention to us.”
Carina glanced around the room. He was right. All eyes were on Lina and Alaric. As they should be. King Noam began the ceremony, and his voice echoed through the room. Carina tried to listen to his words, but Stefan leaned close and whispered in her ear.
“I missed you. They wouldn’t let me into your room last night. Alaric stationed guards at the door to keep me out.”
Carina smirked.
“It isn’t exactly proper for you to be in my room now that you’re a human.”
Stefan rolled his eyes.
“My intentions are completely honorable. It was your first night of exile. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Carina looked into his eyes and saw only sincerity. She smiled at him.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I think exile is going to suit me very well.”
The crowd burst into applause, and Carina turned her attention back to the wedding. King Noam held Lina and Alaric’s hands in the air as he wrapped a white ribbon around them. Alaric leaned closer to Lina and kissed her.
Before Carina could protest, Stefan did the same. She stared at him when he pulled away.
“We’re supposed to be-”
“I’ve never let rules stop me before.”
Carina grew serious.
“Can I ask you something?”
Stefan frowned at her expression.
“Of course.”
“You said there was someone else who could break the curse. Another girl. That means she would have kissed you. Is she- Do you-”
Carina couldn’t quite get the rest of the words out. Stefan stared at her for a moment, then his face turned bright red.
“Carina! You didn’t think-”
“I might have. Who was it?”
He chuckled.
“Kathelin said the spell could only be broken by a kiss from a princess. Heinrich suggested I come to Lina since she’s a princess now. He thought she might guess how to break the curse because she has experience with magic.”
Carina choked on a laugh.
“He wanted your sister-in-law to break the spell?”
Stefan bristled. She recognized the gesture from when he was a frog, and her smile widened.
“It isn’t that unusual,” he said.
“No, of course not.”
She was still grinning. He glared at her.
“It isn’t funny.”
“Of course it isn’t.”
She kissed him to wipe away the irritated furrow between his eyebrows. It was funny, but now wasn’t the time to push that point.
She pulled away when someone cleared their throat. Carina looked up. One of the other Aeonian princes, Cael maybe, gestured to the throne.
Carina gulped. The wedding ceremony was over. Lina and Alaric watched them with amusement.
“Shall we proceed?” Alaric asked.
Stefan straightened and offered his arm to Carina.
“By all means. We can continue our conversation another time.”
The crowd laughed. Carina gently slapped Stefan’s arm before taking it and walking with him. They followed Alaric and Lina out of the throne room. A procession formed behind them.
“We’ll go to the ballroom now,” Stefan said. “I wasn’t involved in the planning, but I understand it will be quite the party.”
“Do you know how to dance as a human, or will we need to find someone for you to sit on?”
Carina asked as innocently as she could. Stefan turned to her with glittering eyes.
“I assure you, I’m a much better dancer than King Gustave.”
“Are you indeed?”
“Of course.”
Stefan lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her fingers. He stopped walking as he did, halting the wedding procession behind them.
“Save that for the ballroom,” King Noam said.
He waved his hands, shooing Stefan forward. Carina grinned at the king, curtsied, then pulled Stefan forward to catch up with Lina and Alaric.
Epilogue
“Stefan, I’m leaving for my honeymoon in an hour. Are you sure this can’t wait?”
Stefan kept walking.
“It certainly can’t. Honestly, brother, you should be more excited about your wedding present.”
Alaric’s eyes narrowed.
“Stefan, whatever it is, I don’t want it. You already kidnapped Carina and nearly started a war with Santelle. That’s more than enough for one wedding.”
Stefan’s grin didn’t falter.
“A honeymoon present, then. You and Lina will love it, and it will make Carina happy. Just follow along.”
“What are you-”
Stefan flung open the doors to his room and went inside. Alaric considered running down the hall, grabbing Lina, and never looking back. But Lina was already in Stefan’s room. She smiled at Alaric, and he forced himself to walk through the door.
“Do you have any idea what’s happening?” she whispered.
“Not a clue. Shouldn’t you be packing?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Shouldn’t you be doing the same?”
Stefan inserted himself between them and wrapped his arms around their shoulders.
“I’ve got Heinrich packing for both of you. And in spite of my instructions, he insisted on only packing suitable attire.”
Alaric’s eyes narrowed even further.
“Bastien is packing for me.”
Stefan shook his head.
“Bastien is on his way here. The two of you just play along. This is a wedding present for both of you. And a welcome gift for Carina.”
The Frog Prince (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 2) Page 30
