One Kiss (Ever After 2)

by Nadia Lee

  Molly smelled of soap, sweat and sweet, sweet female. Robert’s eyes half closed with appreciation. He’d never thought such simplicity could be so lovely.

  Perhaps it was just him. He could remember preferring more sophisticated things, but having been a frog for so long he no longer seemed to care as much about them.

  Or perhaps it was Molly. For someone who clearly had not had many advantages in terms of upbringing or education, she fascinated him with her frank talk and practical mind—two rare and admirable qualities in anyone, much less a woman.

  It was a pity she was unsuitable to undo his curse.

  As they approached the spot where he’d left the day’s offering, Molly slowed and said, “Your Royal Highness, there’s another golden ball in the grass. It seems a match for the one from yesterday.”

  And clever and honorable as well. He hadn’t been certain that Molly would remember to tell Serenia about the ball, or, even if she did, that she would bother to do so. The parasol was unwieldy, and it would be no surprise if she wanted the walk to end as soon as possible.

  Serenia stopped and looked to her left. Her eyes widened as she zeroed in on Robert’s second ball. Clapping, she squealed. “Oh, so pretty! I want, I want, I want!”

  John scowled, a small muscle twitching above his left eyebrow. “My dear, it’s just a ball.”

  “No, it’s a golden orb. Do fetch it for me,” she said.

  Crimson suffused John’s face, and his hands tightened into fists. Was he going to strike the princess? It wouldn’t surprise Robert. John was infamous for his temper.

  “Of course,” he said through clenched teeth.

  He picked up the ball and brought it to Serenia. She examined the fine filigree and patterns.

  “Isn’t it lovely?” She held it close to her bosom, then held it away to study it again. Finally she kissed it.

  Robert’s heart accelerated. She kissed the ball! Surely, that meant she was closer to kissing him, if that would mean getting the final one to complete her collection.

  So why was he covered in a cold sweat?

  Just nerves. And this damnable amphibian skin. That had to be it. He took a deep breath and asked, “Is the ball to your liking, Princess?”

  John flinched at the voice. Eyes narrow, his gaze darted around.

  “It is. I will allow you to give it to me,” Serenia said loudly.

  Robert took another deep breath. “I present it to you as a token of my esteem, but you must give me something in return.”

  Serenia flushed. “But I’m the princess. I should be able to have it for free.”

  Perhaps some instruction was in order. “As you are a princess,” he said gently, “you should know that nothing worth having in life comes for free.”

  “Yes, but I’m the princess.”

  Gods above, could she sound any more petulant? “Do you or do you not want it?”

  She pouted. “What is it you wish in return?”

  A kiss from you. But it was too soon to demand that. She didn’t even like frogs. He needed to wear her resistance down bit by bit.

  And might there be another reason for this delay?

  Of course not. He didn’t want to rush forward and botch everything. The third ball—even more beautiful and the one that would complete her collection—was the key, not this one. “The silk handkerchief you keep against your heart.”

  Serenia scowled. “But it’s one of my favorites.”

  “The golden orb you hold is one of mine.”

  She sighed. “Very well.” She dug her fingers into her bodice and pulled out a pink square of lace and silk, tossing it vaguely toward the spot where the ball had been. “There. Will you be satisfied now?”

  “I will.” Though it could have been done with better humor. “Thank you.”

  John cleared his throat. He cast dark glares at the ball and handkerchief. “Ready to resume our walk, my honeylamb?”

  She nodded, though her gaze was glued to the ball. “Let’s go.”

  As they turned and faced forward again, Robert stuck his head out of Molly’s pocket and located the handkerchief. His tongue shot out with unerring accuracy, stuck to the fabric and in a trice had reeled it back into his mouth. He quickly ducked back down again.

  Robert took the handkerchief in his forelimbs and buried his face in it. It was soft, as silk was wont to be, and smelled of roses and spices and vanilla, the perfume Serenia had ordered Molly to pump earlier in the morning. He waited for something to stir inside him.

  A faster beating of his heart. Some surging of the blood. A fluttery sensation in his belly.

  His heart beat steadily; his blood flowed as usual. His belly remained calm.

  Moisture, however, did begin to gather in his eyes. He blinked once, then several times rapidly. His eyelids began itching, and there was an unpleasant prickling sensation in his nose.

  He was allergic to the princess’s perfume.

  Disgusted, and worried that he might sneeze and give the game away, he kicked out powerfully and flung Serenia’s handkerchief out of Molly’s pocket.

  * * *

  After the walk it was time for the princess’s first nap, so Molly dropped Robert off in the garden.

  “Many thanks for your assistance,” he said. “And speaking of such, where is your assistant?”

  “Assistant? What are you talking about?”

  “An assistant. A helper. For that parasol. It seems too heavy for one woman to bear.”

  She gave a short laugh. “I have no helper.”

  “How very odd. Does the princess know how heavy the parasol is?”

  Molly shrugged. Serenia wasn’t the type to care about such things. Every time someone spoke of needing extra assistance, she rolled her cornflower-blue eyes and docked their wages by half. Molly couldn’t afford to have her pay reduced. “Go, before someone sees you.”

  He hesitated, then turned away.

  She watched him hop into the undergrowth. She didn’t have to concentrate much to see his true form now. Why was that?

  Now she could see just how tall he was—at least six feet and two inches. Wide and muscular shoulders narrowed into tight hips that flowed into long powerful legs. Even knowing he was out of her league, she couldn’t help but sigh with appreciation at his masculine beauty. How truly unfortunate that he’d been turned into a frog. He could’ve had any princess he wanted, not just a spoiled one like Serenia.

  Despite Molly’s cynical words, she knew not all royals were terrible. She’d met a few who were rather decent while serving Princess Serenia. Robert was the honorable and—

  She yelped at a sudden, hard grip on her upper arm.

  A hand covered her mouth with more force than necessary, hurting her lips. “Silly twit, shut up.”

  She swallowed a scream. Prince John. What did he want from her?

  When she nodded, he uncovered her mouth. She managed a sort of curtsy despite his iron grip. “Your Royal Highness, how may I serve you?”

  “You reported to Serenia that you killed the frog yesterday.”

  “That I did.”

  “What did you do with the body?”

  “I threw it away, as Her Royal Highness would not wish to view it. She despises frogs.”

  His hazel eyes narrowed. How could she ever think them beautiful? So much cruelty and anger seethed in their depths. “I do believe you’re lying to me.”

  “Your R-Royal Highness?” she stammered, her bruised lips suddenly numb. He could hurt her, and she wouldn’t be able to do anything. Who would come to her aid against a prince? And even if he beat her enough to visibly injure her, who would believe her word against his?

  Princess Serenia would never do anything to annoy a guest, especially one who brought her jewels and other exquisite gifts. She’d always made it clear where Molly ranked in her world.

  “Let her go, you coward!” Robert jumped out from between a couple of giant oaks. “For once, pick on somebody your size and rank. What manner
of scoundrel tries to intimidate a maid half his weight?”

  “I knew it!” John shoved Molly away.

  She fell to her hands and knees. Her heart still hammered against her rib cage, but at least she was out of Prince John’s clutches. If he came for her again, she could always run.

  “It’s not her fault I’m a quick frog.” Robert hopped onto the bench where Princess Serenia liked to sit. “If you really wanted me dead, you should’ve done the deed yourself yesterday, instead of foisting it off on the staff. Or is it that you’re too scared to do it yourself?”

  Prince John’s face reddened. “I’ll kill you for that, you bastard.”

  “You have it backwards, cousin. You’re the illegitimate one in the family, not I.”

  Prince John shouted and charged toward Robert. The latter sprang away, moving quickly. His dappled green skin blended well into the lush garden full of grass, flowers and trees.

  Molly put her shaking hands over her mouth. If Robert had been in his human form, he could’ve beaten Prince John easily, but he was just a frog now. How could he fight back?

  If anything happened to him, it would all be her fault.

  Prince John chased Robert through the undergrowth, thrashing and cursing. Finally Robert was driven out into a spot that had little cover. Robert seemed to be tired; Molly could see his sides moving in and out as he breathed. Prince John closed the distance quickly.

  Jump, jump!

  “Bastard,” Robert wheezed. “Illegitimate get. Baseborn.”

  “Let’s see if you can continue to insult me after I’m through with you!”

  Prince John raised his boot over Robert. Robert leapt away an instant before his cousin’s foot made a crashing impact against the spot. Prince John lost his balance as something crunched and gave way beneath him, and his leg disappeared into a knee-deep hole.

  He screeched and pulled his leg out. Brown goo dripped from his shiny boot. There was a sudden smell of manure. Swearing, Prince John fell to his knees. “My ankle!”

  Robert chuckled, no longer seeming to be out of breath. “Painful, is it?”

  Spittle shot out from the enraged prince’s mouth as he made incoherent sounds of rage.

  Molly ran toward Robert and checked him carefully for injury. “Are you hurt?”

  “No.” He beamed. “And you? Are you all right?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  He shook his head. “No, please. I apologize for my cousin’s brutish behavior. I never realized he could be this ungentlemanly.”

  “How did you know about this hole?” Molly herself had not known about it until today.

  “When you said John had come around, I knew I’d need a little something like this soon enough. I prepared it last night.”

  “You?” She tried to envision a frog digging a pit. “But…how?”

  “You’re not the only servant who feels the need to supplement her wages. I hired a couple of stout fellows to dig some holes and a hunter to weave lattices of twigs to provide covers for them. My plan was to lure John into one while Serenia was present, so that she could see that even a tiny misstep would bring out his temper. But this is a far better use!”

  She ran her fingers down his cheek. No one had ever come to her rescue, especially at such a great risk. Robert could have remained hidden; she hadn’t known he was close by, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have expected him to do a thing to help her.

  Chivalrous and smart. Royals weren’t supposed to be that way. She swallowed as tender emotions she’d never thought she’d feel for a man surged inside her like a powerful arching wave.

  “Here wench, come help me up,” Prince John moaned.

  “No,” Molly said. Her own boldness startled her. She’d never spoken like this to one of Princess Serenia’s guests no matter how obnoxious they were.

  “I shall tell Princess Serenia everything!” he declared.

  What a weasel. “By all means. And I shall tell her you fell into a hole full of manure while trying—and failing—to dispatch a single defenseless frog.”

  Robert chuckled. “That should bring you up a notch or two in her esteem.”

  Prince John glared at her, but that was all he could do. For the moment. Molly knew he’d eventually find a way to get back at her, no matter how petty his revenge might be. Men like him always did.

  “You get my men to help me up, then you keep your mouth shut,” he said finally.

  “Why should I?”

  “Because if you do, I’ll keep this little incident a secret. Your disgusting dalliance with my cousin can continue.”

  “It’s not a dalliance,” Robert said. “But then you wouldn’t understand even if I explained it to you.”

  “Shut up, Robert. Next time, you won’t be able to trick me.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Molly rose to her feet. “I shall send you your men. And if you keep silent about this, I will too.” She turned to Robert. “Thank you again.”

  He inclined his head. “It was my pleasure, Molly.”

  * * *

  When Princess Serenia dismissed her for the royal afternoon nap, Molly hurried back to her room as quickly as she could, all the while looking back over her shoulder.

  Thankfully she didn’t notice anybody. Still, there was a sense of unease. Given the kind of person Prince John was, it would be odd if he didn’t retaliate somehow.

  Soon after she slipped into her room, Robert hopped onto the ledge of her window. “How did things go with John and Serenia?”

  “They went out for another walk, then he gave her—”

  “No, I mean did he betray you? Did she punish you?”

  She blinked. “Oh. No.” Had he been worried about her? Her face flushed. It was nice to have somebody concerned for her safety, ask after her. It’d been a while since anybody had—her mother was in no condition to care for anyone—and the weight on her shoulders seemed to lessen a bit. She gave Robert a reassuring smile, tinged with genuine affection. “Don’t you want to know about what Prince John did with Princess Serenia?”

  “Not just now.”

  Molly sat down and cut herself a chunk of cheese. She’d forgotten to take a loaf from the kitchen after the excitement in the garden. “Why not?”

  “What John does isn’t that important any longer. If Princess Serenia is unable to see the truth of the matter…”

  “We can make her see.”

  He shook his head, lines of worry wrinkling the wide bit of skin between his eyes. “I’m not sure we can.”

  Molly studied his true form. What a shame a man as gorgeous as Robert was cursed. Prince John was handsome, it was true, but there was coldness in his eyes and cruelty in the tight set of his mouth. She’d never seen him smile except when he tried to ingratiate himself, hoping to get something from others. Even then his eyes remained frosty.

  It was unfair a man such as he would likely get what he desired, while Robert remained frustrated despite wanting but a single kiss from the princess. Cursed or not, Robert was ten times the man Prince John was. Molly wanted Robert to get what his heart desired the most.

  And like that she decided what she must do. “I can ensure that you will win your suit over Prince John.”

  “You can? How?”

  “Very simply. I’ll tell Princess Serenia who you truly are.”

  “But that will expose you.”

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” She shrugged. “We can’t be sure, but I want to try—”

  “No, you mustn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I was being selfish to even suggest it.” Robert sighed grimly. “I didn’t stop to consider how defenseless you were. Seeing you abused by John” —his throat worked— “He was hurting you, and you didn’t do anything. Couldn’t do anything. It shames me that I put my desire above your well-being.”

  She pasted on a game smile. “It could be that Princess Serenia would’ve defended me.”

  “I doubt that. She w
ould’ve given you over for a diamond or two.”

  She stared at him in silent shock. How could he know so much about the princess’s personality already?

  “Don’t look at me like that. It wasn’t difficult to figure out.” He ate the cheese she offered. “Molly, tell me your plan. You’re going to take my money and travel some place far from here, away from Serenia, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” She sipped her water. “With the money, my mother and I can be very comfortable, and I’ll never have to wait on other people again. We won’t let anybody know what we can do and keep to ourselves.” Her voice grew wistful. “That’s the most ideal life I can imagine.”

  “If you let Serenia know about your gift, she’ll never let you go.”

  Molly drew back. It was a possibility she’d never considered. “You truly think so?”

  “I do. She’s too greedy, and she’ll think of ways to exploit your talent for her own ends. Trust me.”

  “I see.” She couldn’t keep her mouth from twisting into a wry grin. “I never thought you’d reject my offer of help.”

  “You’re helping me enough. And more than that, you treated me like a man, not some cursed thing you pitied. For that, I thank you, Molly.”

  Robert gave her a smile. It hit her suddenly, blinding her like lightning splitting the night sky.

  Her mouth dried and her pulse throbbed. It no longer mattered that he was cursed. Here was more of a man—and a prince—than anybody she’d ever met. She curled her fingers, trying to stop her the tips from tingling so much.

  She didn’t know what was required to undo his curse, but it wasn’t her he needed. He’d made it clear he must have a royal princess.

  So she would do everything she could to help him get his wish.

  VI. In Which Our Hero Is Betrayed

  The next day, Robert didn’t slip into Molly’s pocket. He didn’t want to involve her any more than was absolutely necessary. The violence his cousin had directed at her still rankled. He’d always suspected John would push as far as he could to get what he wanted, but hurting a defenseless woman? How could he have fallen so low? It was fortunate Robert had been ready the day before, else she might be sporting bruises or worse.