Sunbeams filtered through the water’s surface, taunting him. He was so close! Stefan glanced up and saw Carina’s face, distorted through the water. She looked enormous. A blond giant. Stefan was a big frog, but he was still a frog.
He gave a final kick and broke the surface of the water. Carina gasped and grabbed the ball. Stefan came with it. He flew out of the water, lost his grip, and crashed into a nearby bush.
“Thank you!” Carina said. “I-”
A bell echoed through the garden. A clock tower chiming the time.
Her smile disappeared.
“I’m late.”
She tucked the ball into the folds of her skirt and ran towards the castle.
“Wait!” Stefan croaked.
But it was too late. She was gone.
Stefan lay flat on his back under the bush. An awkward position for a frog, but he was too exhausted to flop over to his belly.
She had left him. He had retrieved her blasted plaything, and she ran back to the castle. After promising to take him with her! Stefan glared at the sky. He was a prince, blast it all. Prince of Aeonia! Second in line to the throne.
Not that he wanted the throne. He would be miserable as king. But surely that position deserved a little respect?
All he had wanted to do was make his brother happy. To make his wedding perfect.
Carina had ruined everything.
Stefan’s anger gave him strength. He rolled over and stood on quivering legs. The castle wasn’t far away. Carina had already disappeared inside it.
She had shaken his hand! She had promised! Time to remind this ridiculous, spoiled princess that she had to keep her word.
Stefan jumped towards the castle. That single hop took all his energy. He waited a moment, his chest expanding in deep breaths, then hopped again.
He would make it to the castle. He would hold Carina to her promise, charm her into kissing him, and convince her to come to the wedding. He would save Heinrich.
He would be human again.
17
Carina ignored her mother’s raised eyebrow as she rushed into her office. She had made it through the door before the eleventh bell rang. She wasn’t technically late.
But she was disheveled. The wet ball in her pocket created a damp spot that spread across the right side of her skirt, and her eyes were still red from crying.
“Carina,” the queen said. “Please, sit.”
Carina gathered the wet fabric so it wouldn’t drip and sat in the chair her mother indicated. She glanced around the room. How long had it been since she visited her mother’s office? She couldn’t remember, but nothing had changed. It had the same maps hanging on the walls. The same nautical devices crammed between the same massive books on the shelves.
She focused on the desk, hoping for a clue about the missing ships. It was empty except for five framed pictures. Those were new. Carina leaned closer to study them. Paintings of Serafina, Massimo, Santino, Adria, and a younger version of herself smiled back at her. Copies of the portraits in her father’s office.
“You have a picture of me on your desk.”
Carina didn’t try to hide her surprise. Neither did her mother.
“I have a picture of all my children on my desk.”
It made sense, but Carina was so used to being left out of things that it caught her off guard. She rubbed her eyes, wiping the last of the tears away.
Queen Cosima cleared her throat.
“Your father told you about Montaigne’s offer?”
Carina nodded.
“You don’t have anything to say about it?”
Carina had plenty to say, but most of it would risk her cover. She kept her mouth shut.
“I understand why you’re upset,” Queen Cosima said, “But please understand this situation from our point of view.”
Carina blinked. Was her mother being sympathetic? That was the last thing she’d expected. But then, she must think Carina’s tears were because of the marriage. If that were the case, she would be very upset indeed.
The queen waited for her daughter to speak. When Carina didn’t, Queen Cosima continued with a sigh.
“You haven’t found a place here, Carina. You’ve been withdrawn since you failed the entrance exam to the Academy. This marriage would mean a fresh start in a new country.”
Carina studied her mother. Sympathy wasn’t quite the right emotion. It didn’t sit well on the queen’s stern face.
Guilt, Carina decided. Her mother felt guilty for sending her away.
“I understand your reasons.”
Queen Cosima raised an eyebrow.
“We can’t have you here causing mischief. You will do your best to charm King Gustave when he visits.”
“And if we’re incompatible? If we hate each other?”
The queen shrugged.
“That seems unlikely. You’ve never shown yourself to have strong opinions about anything. From all reports, Gustave is equally mild-mannered.”
Carina bit back a laugh. They thought she was mild-mannered? She was a better spy than she thought.
She studied the portraits on her mother’s desk. Her siblings may not know her, but she knew them. Even her mother admitted she was still part of the family. That was worth fighting for.
“May I ask a favor?” Carina said.
The queen gestured for her to continue.
“If I can prove my worth to Santelle, may I stay?”
“Carina-”
“You’re right. I haven’t tried as hard as I could. I didn’t make it in the military, but I may still find a role here. Give me the time until King Gustave’s visit to look for my purpose. If I can do something useful, then let me stay. If not, I’ll marry him.”
Carina met her mother’s eyes. She was struck by how much they looked like her own. If she had joined the Navy, she would be her mother’s double when they both were in uniform.
The queen considered Carina’s words.
“It would need to be a truly useful role. Something that benefits the entire country.”
Carina nodded.
“Of course. I’ll leave that to you and father to judge. May I have your word as queen?”
She held out her hand. Queen Cosima’s jaw dropped, but she quickly snapped it shut.
“You mean what you say? You’ll marry King Gustave without protest?”
“If I can’t find another way to serve Santelle, yes.”
The queen reached across her desk and shook Carina’s hand.
“I wish you had shown this kind of initiative years ago, Carina. You were never passive as a child. I’ve often wondered what changed as you grew.”
Carina glanced at the portraits again. Serafina grinned back at her. Carina swallowed.
“Mother, is there any way to restore Serafina’s rank? It wasn’t her fault.”
The queen’s face hardened.
“Serafina may earn the admiral-ship back in time, but it must be her doing. She broke a regulation, and there are consequences for that. Don’t do anything foolish in your quest to be useful, Carina.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You are dismissed. Don’t be late for lunch, but I suggest you change. You’re dripping on the rug.”
Carina looked down. Her damp skirt had indeed left a wet spot on the carpet.
“Of course. My apologies, Mother. Thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself.”
She curtsied to the queen and left her office. She sighed with relief as the door closed.
That had gone better than expected. Much better. Her mother had seemed almost human.
And Carina had her word as queen. That was legally binding. If she proved her worth to Santelle, her father would have to let her stay. Doubtless, her mother had a hard time imagining how Carina could prove her usefulness in a week’s time.
Carina had no such difficulties. She needed to solve the mystery of the Vanquisher or the treasury break-in. Preferably both.
It was a shame
both incidents seemed to involve magic.
Carina patted her golden ball. Her hand froze as she touched her damp skirts.
The frog. The talking frog. If anything proved magic was real, that did.
She was an idiot! She’d had proof of magical creatures right in front of her, and she’d left it in the garden.
Carina ran down the hallway. She needed to get back to the pond! That frog could solve all her problems.
“Hello? Frog?”
Carina walked around the garden. She searched under bushes and in all the ponds. She checked by the wall and in the groves of trees, overturning a few rocks that looked big enough to hide him. He wasn’t in the fountain or the stream. He wasn’t under the benches.
She even climbed over the wall and checked the edge of the woods, but she didn’t see any frogs, magical or otherwise.
Defeated, Carina trudged back to the castle. Why hadn’t she grabbed the frog when she had the chance? Her mother might have raised an eyebrow at a talking frog in their meeting, but it would have gone a long way to proving her usefulness.
The clock bell chimed as Carina climbed the castle stairs. She sighed. She was more bedraggled than before, and she wouldn’t be able to change her dress. Not if she wanted to make it to lunch on time.
“Princess Carina.”
The voice was so faint she almost didn’t hear it over the bell. Carina looked down and gasped.
The frog crouched under a bush by the stairs. She knelt and picked him up.
“I found you!”
He croaked.
“More like I found you. I’ve been searching for you since you abandoned me at the pond. You haven’t forgotten our deal?”
She had forgotten. The meeting with her mother had pushed it from her mind. What had she promised him? A place at the table?
Perfect.
“Of course I didn’t forget. You can eat from my plate right now!”
Carina held the frog with both hands and ran through the castle. The whole family would be at lunch, and she had the key to proving her usefulness to Santelle. A way to prove magic existed.
She didn’t make it to the dining room in time. Carina stopped around the corner and held the frog up to her face.
“Don’t speak until I give you a signal,” she whispered.
He squirmed in her hands.
“You’re holding me too tight, Princess.”
She loosened her grip.
“Sorry. Just wait for my signal, alright? My father is stubborn. I want to make sure this goes well.”
The frog croaked as she rounded the corner. Franco stood outside the dining room talking to the guards. He scowled at her.
“Princess Carina, you’re late. Everyone else is seated.”
She pulled her face away from the frog. Franco grimaced.
“Princess, you can’t bring that thing into the dining room.”
Carina smiled and carried the frog past him without a word. The door slammed behind her and swallowed Franco’s protests.
The rest of the royal family was already seated and eating the first course. Carina let a footman help her into her seat and set the frog on her lap. She held him there with one hand and ate with the other.
Serafina avoided her gaze. So did her father. Queen Cosima glanced at Carina with a raised eyebrow but said nothing.
Right, she had asked Carina to change before lunch. And to be on time. So much for that.
Adria shoveled soup into her mouth much faster than was proper. She must be enjoying her new position in the navy if she was that eager to get back to it.
Massimo and Santino sat on either side of Carina. She studied them fondly from the corner of her eye. Massimo had grown while she was at the Princess Test. He was taller than Santino now. But Santino had filled out. Gained enough muscle to look like a real sailor.
The frog wriggled. Carina tried to hold him still, but he broke out of her grip and hopped onto the table.
“Is that a frog?” Massimo said.
His voice squeaked a little. It was still changing. He flushed bright red, but no one noticed. They all stared at the animal on the table.
Carina picked him up and glared at him. He glared back.
“I’m hungry,” he whispered. “You promised I could eat from your plate.”
“Carina, what is the meaning of this?” Queen Cosima said.
No one else had heard the frog’s words. Carina sighed. She had hoped to show it to her father first, but maybe it would be better if the whole family saw him speak at once. That way, she had witnesses that she had proved magical creatures existed in Santelle.
She smiled at each member of her family in turn, ending with her father.
“This is a magical frog.”
Her father’s frown deepened into a scowl. Carina nudged the frog.
“Go on. Introduce yourself.”
He gave her a long look. Then he turned to the king and croaked.
Massimo giggled.
“You trained a frog? That’s great! Can I have him?”
Carina glared.
“I said introduce yourself, frog.”
He puffed out his chest and said nothing.
“Father, this is ridiculous,” Serafina said. “She is out of control. Are you going to allow her to bring vermin to the table?”
The frog bristled at the word “vermin” and flicked his tongue at Serafina. Massimo and Santino covered their mouths to hide their smiles. Serafina gasped.
“Father, please do something!”
The king turned to Carina. He had his features under control now, but his right eye twitched.
“Get rid of that animal, Carina. Give it to the footman.”
18
Stefan hopped onto Carina’s shoulder and hid under her hair.
“You promised,” he hissed. “You said I could eat from your plate and sleep on your pillow if I retrieved the golden ball.”
“Just show them what you can do, frog.”
She sounded angry. He didn’t care.
“Keep your promise first.”
Stefan refused to become entertainment at the family dinner when he had been treated so poorly.
A footman approached them. He held his hands out, ready to take the frog. Stefan stiffened. Maybe he had been too harsh. She might be annoying, but Carina was his best chance to break the curse. He needed to stay with her.
“Father,” Carina said. “I gave this frog my word that he could be my companion. He helped me with my golden ball.”
King Giuseppe gaped at her.
“You gave your word to a frog?”
She nodded.
“This is an outrage, Father!”
Stefan peered out from Carina’s hair to glare at the girl who spoke. She had dark hair pulled into an unflattering braid, and her mouth formed a tight line across her face.
He should have done more than stick his tongue out at her. That girl was more unpleasant than Carina.
“Please, Father.”
Carina stared at the king. He studied her, then nodded.
“This is important to you?”
“Yes.”
“Then the frog may stay.”
“Giuseppe!”
The queen stared at her husband. Stefan bit back a laugh. He was causing quite a stir. Family dinners in Aeonia were never this amusing.
“If she gave her word, then she must keep it. Our daughter needs to learn responsibility.”
“But Father, it’s a frog!”
The dark haired princess leaned forward, as if preparing to jump across the table and get rid of him herself.
“I like it,” one of the princes said.
“The frog stays for now,” the king said. “I will speak to Carina about this after lunch.”
The dark haired princess looked ready to punch something.
“Calm down, Serafina,” the queen said. “We’ll deal with this.”
Carina relaxed. Stefan leaned closer to her ear.
�
��I’m still hungry. Please keep your side of the bargain.”
She plucked him off her shoulder and held him in front of her face. Her blue eyes flashed with fury.
“Where’d you get him, Carina?” one of the boys asked.
Carina gathered her emotions and set him on the table. Stefan sighed. That had been close. Now, what could he eat as a frog?
“I found him in the garden, Massimo.”
“Really? I’ve never seen frogs that big in the garden. Want to try to catch some later, Santino?”
Santino nodded.
Stefan searched the table for something edible. He didn’t think he’d be able to manage the bread or salad. He sat up taller and examined the bowl of soup. Bits of meat and vegetables floated on the surface. They should be small enough for him.
Trusting his instincts, Stefan flicked his tongue at the soup. He caught a piece of meat floating in the bowl, pulled it into his mouth, and swallowed it whole.
“Disgusting!”
Princess Serafina stared at him in horror. Stefan met her gaze and used his tongue to grab a carrot. There weren’t many upsides to being a frog, but this tongue was very useful.
Something clinked behind him. Carina had set down her spoon.
“What’s the matter, Carina? Aren’t you hungry?”
Serafina’s eyes sparkled with malice. Carina picked up a piece of bread and bit it without saying a word.
Wait, was she not eating her soup because of him? He wasn’t that disgusting. He had barely touched it.
Well, that served her right for leaving him behind in the garden. Let her miss her lunch and go hungry.
Stefan pulled another piece of meat from the soup. Apparently, he didn’t need to eat much as a frog. He already felt full. He ate one more carrot then settled back onto the table.
The royal family watched his every move. Stefan studied them with mild interest. He’d seen King Giuseppe recently at the Princess Test. The man had supported Alaric and Lina when the King of Gaveron tried to declare Alaric unfit to rule. Stefan was inclined to like him because of that, but the king’s steely gaze still unnerved him.
Queen Cosima might be worse. She looked like an older, meaner version of Carina. And she didn’t seem fond of frogs.
Princess Serafina alternated between glaring at him and glaring at Carina. The younger royal siblings were delighted to have a frog at the table. They whispered to each other and watched Stefan with bright eyes.
The Frog Prince Page 9
