A Beautiful Curse

by Kenley Davidson

  No, she would inevitably lose him. She could already feel the ache of it—of having finally experienced friendship only to learn that it couldn’t last—but she wouldn’t change a thing. Her only regret was that she would never have the chance to know him as a human, to walk with him, tease him, share meals and laughter, and maybe even…

  But no. She didn’t dare consider beyond that. The human part of her might wish desperately that Prince Cambren could be more than just a friend, but thanks to Mortimer, she was wishing for the impossible. Also thanks to Mortimer, she would never even have a chance to know whether Cambren might feel the same way.

  Cambren pulled a book from his pocket and held it up. “What do you say we read about Briadell today? Did you know one of their kings was rumored to be half troll?”

  Ellie hopped closer and allowed herself to be distracted by his calm voice as it spun out the unusual and probably fictional tale. If she was going to lose him, she would enjoy every moment they had together, even the wretched assembly tomorrow. And whatever the assembly required of her, she vowed to give him no cause to regret his choice of friend. She owed him that much, and more.

  “Do pay attention,” Cambren chided from above her head. “We’re just getting to the good part.”

  Elisette chuckled and settled in to enjoy the story.

  Cam couldn’t remember ever feeling so many nerves before. He’d appeared in court many times but never with so much at stake. He was also used to knowing what he wanted, but this time he felt nothing but confusion. Did he want to be king? Should he want to?

  At least it was almost over.

  When he dressed, he chose his largest coat, one that fit loosely so that the frog could ride comfortably in the pocket. To compensate for the lack of formality in his clothing, he brushed his hair neatly, made sure his sash was pressed, and shined his boots.

  He supposed he ought to have a valet or someone to do those things for him, but he needed them so rarely, it seemed ridiculous to have a person waiting around for those infrequent occasions. But if he became king…

  No. He wasn’t even going to think about it.

  As soon as he was completely ready, Cam went to fetch the frog from where he’d left it swimming around in his washbasin.

  “Ready for your big moment?” he asked cheerfully.

  The frog eyed him balefully. “I don’t know what you’re expecting me to do,” it grumbled. “Besides frighten people half to death. Though I’m not going to pretend it won’t be fun to see what happens when I’m introduced.”

  “Whether you talk or not is up to you,” Cambren told it. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, or ask awkward questions, but if you’d rather no one know you used to be human that’s fine with me.”

  “Don’t be absurd,” the frog said, rolling its eyes. “Then you really would look a fool, strolling in there with an ordinary frog.”

  “I don’t mind,” Cambren said calmly. “I’m quite used to it.”

  “Hmph.” The frog settled into his pocket and squirmed around until it found a comfortable spot. “I think I can do better than that.”

  “Then are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” the frog said with a sigh. “Let’s go get this over with.”

  They entered the waiting room in plenty of time, only to find that both his brothers had already arrived.

  Dauntry appeared calm and composed. His jaw was firm and his shoulders square—every inch the kingly young heir to the throne.

  Eldrick, by contrast, was pale and nervous. Perhaps he was afraid his friend might not show up.

  “Whatever Father decides,” Dauntry began solemnly, after an extended period of silence, “I hope we can still agree that it changes nothing between us.”

  “Oh, shove off,” Eldrick muttered. “You know it changes everything unless he picks you.”

  “He might pick none of us and decide to rule for another twenty years,” Cambren noted thoughtfully. It was possible.

  “No,” Dauntry protested, “he wouldn’t. It’s already been announced to the people. Father would never retract one of his decrees. It just isn’t done.”

  Eldrick groaned. “By which you mean you wouldn’t do it. If it’s all the same to you, Dauntry, could we just wait in silence? All this chatter is nauseating me.”

  Dauntry contrived to look hurt, but said nothing more until the doors opened and they were admitted to the packed throne room. There seemed to be twice as many spectators as had attended the last two assemblies, and their faces were avid with both excitement and speculation.

  King Lorne awaited his sons patiently, and as each of the princes bowed low, he bestowed upon them a fond, fatherly smile.

  “And here we are again,” he said kindly. “It seems cruel to prolong the agony of waiting, so would each of you please call forward the friend whom you have chosen to accompany you today.”

  Dauntry held up a peremptory hand and beckoned, just once. A tall, weathered man in armor with a sword at his hip slid through the crowd to stand just a step behind the eldest prince.

  “Father, you know Tegan. He has been the captain of my guard since I was ten years old, and I consider him almost as a brother. We have trained together, traveled together, served our people together, and I am honored that he agreed to stand with me today.”

  “His guard captain? Really?” came a whisper from Cambren’s pocket. “That might be even worse than a frog.”

  Cam pinched his lips together to keep from laughing.

  “Yes, I do indeed know Tegan,” the king agreed. “Captain, I assume you have come here today of your own free will, and would likewise claim Prince Dauntry as one of your closest friends?”

  “I would, Your Majesty.” The guard bowed, before resuming his stiffly correct position.

  “Very good.” The king nodded. “And what of you, Eldrick? Whom have you chosen to claim as a valued friend?”

  Cambren began to wonder whether his brother might faint. He’d never seen the self-possessed middle prince look so pale and sick, but Eldrick managed to pull himself together and lift his chin.

  “Your Majesty, I claim as my closest friend, Korine, daughter of Ward, a respected and honorable man of business in our city.”

  A shocked murmur swept across the room, and Eldrick didn’t seem to be breathing. Was his friend even in the room?

  A tiny ripple passed through the crowd, and, at length, a girl did emerge. She was of average height, with pale blonde hair, and her face was a fiery red, but she held her head up and moved forward to take Eldrick’s hand.

  “Ah, yes,” the king acknowledged with a smile. “I do recall Miss Korine, but it has been many years since the two of you ran wild about the palace grounds.”

  It was Eldrick’s turn to blush, a phenomenon Cambren was fairly certain he’d never observed before.

  “Your Majesty,” the middle prince said levelly, “Korine and I have been friends since we were four years old. She knows me better than anyone else alive and I cannot imagine my life without her. I am humbled that she trusted me enough to come here and stand with me today.”

  “I hope he appreciates how miraculous that really is,” the frog whispered snidely. “And I hope someday she appreciates that I risked life and limb to terrorize him for her sake.”

  So that was what had happened with Eldrick at the pond? His brother was involved in a secret romance with a tailor’s daughter? Cambren wasn’t sure, but he thought he might never have liked his brother quite so well as he did at that moment.

  “And you, Miss Korine?” the king asked gently. “Have you come here today of your own free will, and would you, likewise, claim Prince Eldrick as one of your closest friends?”

  “Yes, sir. I mean, yes, Your Majesty.” Korine bobbed a curtsey and looked as though she wanted to fall through the floor.

  “Thank you, my dear,” King Lorne replied. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

  And finally, he turned to Cambren, who somehow man
aged to face his father calmly, despite sweaty palms and a cravat that was just a little too tight.

  “Cambren,” the king said fondly. “Which friend have you chosen to bring before the assembly today?”

  Cam took a deep breath. “Your Majesty,” he said formally, “I’d like to introduce you to…” He paused, while the entire room held its breath. “Well, now I feel like a bit of a fool,” he admitted cheerfully. “I’m afraid I don’t know his name.”

  An undercurrent of laughter flowed through the crowd.

  “My son,” the king said, “it seems a difficult thing to call a man friend, if you don’t know his name.”

  “Well, yes,” Cam agreed, “I can see how it might seem that way. But then, my friend isn’t exactly a man.” He reached into his pocket, only to feel a sharp pinch on his forefinger.

  “Ow,” he exclaimed, feeling a little shocked. The frog had actually bitten him. Cam pulled his pocket open and peered into it, to find the frog glaring fiercely. “What did you do that for?”

  “Get me out of here,” the frog hissed, “and let me handle this if you’re going to make such a mess of things.”

  “So sorry,” Cam apologized to his father, who was nearly as wide-eyed as the rest of the assembly. He grasped the frog carefully and pulled it from his coat. “I would introduce you, but, as I said, I don’t know its name.”

  “You may call me Eli, Your Majesty,” the frog said in a clear, courteous tone, provoking a chorus of shrieks, a handful of faints, and a dropped jaw from the stunned king. “Please allow me to express my gratitude for the opportunity to visit your court today.”

  Chapter 9

  It took several moments for the pandemonium to subside to a level where the king could make himself heard.

  “You are welcome, Sir Eli,” he said, still looking rather dismayed. “I cannot recall ever having had the pleasure of hosting you here at court before today.”

  “I suppose that’s because I so rarely have the opportunity to travel,” Ellie said, resisting the urge to chuckle at her own absurdity. “I am in Prince Cambren’s debt for making it possible for me to attend.” She swiveled her eyes around to meet Cam’s. “You know, I’ve always wondered what the inside of a palace would look like.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Cam said politely, though his eyes told her he was holding back laughter. “I confess I would have been even more pleased if you’d told me your name before now.”

  “I didn’t want to embarrass you by pointing out that you forgot to ask,” Ellie replied sweetly.

  “Ah, excuse me, Sir Eli,” the king interrupted, “but I must ask how you first became acquainted with my son. Did you… er, meet at a nearby pond?”

  A ripple of amusement followed the king’s question.

  “Why, no, Your Majesty,” Ellie said innocently. “I’m not partial to ponds. We met at the library.”

  “At the…” The king’s dumfounded expression eased gradually to reveal a calculating twinkle in his eye. “Then I must presume you are an educated fellow.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that, Your Majesty,” Elisette responded primly. “But I believe I would claim at least as much education as any other talking frog.”

  Cam choked.

  “I don’t suppose,” the king suggested, “you would be able to tell me the origin of Peregorian silk.”

  “Spiders, Your Majesty,” Elisette replied promptly, genuinely impressed by the king’s insight. “Which are delicious, by the way.”

  Cam cast her a horrified glance.

  “And the name of the craftsman who sells exquisite miniatures in the Ranidane market square?”

  “Horace, Your Majesty.”

  “I see. And where was the harrow invented?”

  “In Guthward,” Elisette responded immediately. “By an enterprising potato farmer named Grandison.”

  “And the winner of the Fourth Battle of Culling River?”

  “I beg pardon, Your Majesty, but I don’t believe there was ever any such event,” Ellie answered confidently. “The Third Battle was a decisive victory for Lord Bracewinter and the boundary has never since fallen into dispute.”

  A chorus of exclamations echoed around the room, but as gratifying as Ellie found it to have an opportunity to prove her scholarship, this particular moment had never been about her. It was Prince Cambren who had come to be tested.

  “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but is there a point to these questions?”

  “Only to determine the nature of your friendship,” the king said. “I am quite familiar with Captain Tegan, and with Miss Korine. You, however, are a rather different matter. I’m sure even you can see how irregular this is, and why a father might have concerns about the… persons, with whom Prince Cambren has been spending his time.”

  “Yes, I can see why you’d be worried,” Ellie responded, rolling her eyes. “But we haven’t known each other long enough for me to make much progress towards ruining his character.”

  “And how might you accomplish that?” The king sat straighter in his throne and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  “Well I can hardly instruct him in the usual sorts of vices,” Ellie explained. “I’m not allowed in taverns and I have a strict personal rule against gambling.”

  This time, the laughter was louder and took much longer to die down. Cambren’s hand shook from trying to contain his mirth.

  “But I thought we could work on singing to attract the ladies. Human men seem to have difficulty mastering that particular talent.”

  That was too much for Cambren. His laugh broke loose, and it was so infectious even the king couldn’t help a quick chuckle.

  Prince Dauntry, however, had clearly had enough.

  “Cam, how dare you?” He stalked towards them, fists clenched, seething with offended righteousness. “You’ve introduced a magical creature of dubious origins to the court, made a mockery of this assembly and permitted your guest to give grave offense to Father. You’d best apologize and remove that animal before I’m forced to do it for you.”

  He stretched out a hand towards Ellie as if to grab her, but Cam took a step back, cradling her to his chest.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he told his brother coolly. “I’m afraid it bites.”

  “And considering that I’ve already bitten both of your brothers,” Ellie informed Dauntry, “I’m quite prepared to make it a full set.”

  Ellie heard a strangled sound from Prince Eldrick before the princes’ father finally intervened.

  “Dauntry, please,” the king said firmly. “Step back. I see no reason for your outrage. The frog is, perhaps, a bit irreverent, but I can’t imagine why we would expect him to display court manners. In fact, I find that I have no objection whatsoever to Cambren’s friend,” he concluded, with a gracious nod. “Provided, of course, Sir Eli, that, in keeping with the terms of the challenge, you have come here of your own free will, and would claim His Highness Prince Cambren as one of your closest friends.”

  “Well, I did tell him this was a terrible idea,” Ellie replied matter-of-factly, “but I agreed to come, provided he promised not to drop me, squash me or permit anything to eat me. And as for the other, I’m afraid Prince Cambren is the only friend I have. There are few people willing to talk to a frog, and still fewer with the patience to listen.”

  “Then you are indeed welcome,” the king proclaimed.

  Pleasantly surprised, Ellie bowed as much as her legs would allow.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “And now, my people, to the point of this gathering.” A hush fell, as the king looked out over the assembly. “I have made clear my intention to relinquish the throne at the end of the year. I hoped to determine which of my sons would be best suited to follow me as king, but it has proven a more difficult task than I imagined. The first two tests were designed to point out some of the less obvious qualities required in a king, but tonight, I have a graver point to make.”

  Ellie felt Cam
bren grow tense, and he clutched her a little more tightly than was strictly comfortable.

  “My sons, it is no easy thing to be king. Many look at the wealth and the privilege, and believe that the title is desirable. Others see the power and wish to use it, whether wisely or no. But in the end, it is a lonely, difficult life, filled with doubt and anguish and consequences that haunt you long after the decisions that brought them about.”

  Ellie glanced at Dauntry, and saw his eyes brighten. This was his moment, and he believed he was ready.

  Eldrick still stood hand in hand with Korine, and for once, his expression was peaceful.

  “Tonight, you face your final test. I wish to know which of you best understands the true measure of a king. Which of you, when faced with trials, will have the courage to do what you must?”

  King Lorne’s face was sad but stern as he gazed down at his sons. “You have come here tonight with the person you care for the most. What I must ask you now is this: are you willing to put aside your old life to embrace the new? Which of you would be willing to sacrifice the friendship that means the most to you in order to step forward and take up the mantle of your responsibilities?”

  No one moved. No one breathed. The entire room seemed frozen as they considered the king’s words.

  “Who among you would choose to set aside friendships for the sake of crown and kingdom?”

  No one answered.

  “Dauntry?”

  Trembling in his fervor, Dauntry never looked back, never even tried to catch the eye of his captain and closest friend.

  “Father, I would never hesitate to set aside my personal feelings for the sake of my kingdom. Whatever I must sacrifice, whatever I must endure, I submit to the demands of my position and consider it an honor to serve.”

  No surprise there. This test was practically designed for Dauntry to excel.

  “Eldrick?”

  The second prince didn’t hesitate either. He looked down at Korine and gripped her hand even more tightly. “No, Father,” he said firmly. “If the measure of a king is his willingness to betray the ones he loves, then I want no part of it. I’ve betrayed Korine enough, caused her more pain than I can ever apologize for. I will not sacrifice her on the altar of duty and privilege, even if it costs me my title.”