by K. M. Shea
“I understand,” Princess Astra said. “However, if we don’t cut this evil off at the head, it will continue to regenerate.”
“But if we cannot locate the head, how are we to cut it off?” Queen Linnea asked.
Emperor Yevgeniy, the most fatherly of those present, smiled tiredly at the young royals. “We search and we listen. Prince Severin and Crown Prince Steffen are right. We must concentrate on preparation, sharing intelligence, and fighting the battles that come our way. All we can do is strive forward. Acting brashly will only give our enemy opportunities to strike.”
Princess Astra hesitated, then nodded in agreement.
Lucien adjusted his amphibious bulk on his pillow. “Well,” he snorted. “If we need someone to give orders, I nominate Emperor—”
He was cut off when Ariane stuffed a candied date in his mouth.
Lucien gurgled in protest, but the maid pushed the date with a single finger until it was entirely in his mouth. He munched and struggled to swallow, glancing up at her with what he hoped was a froggy scowl.
She mindlessly patted his head, not paying him any attention at all.
The knowledge made him feel a little lonely, so he crawled off his cushion, heading for the side of the table.
“We all agree, then, that remaining in contact and sharing resources is the best route?” Severin asked.
There were choruses of agreement that covered up Lucien’s yelp as he flopped over the side of the table and landed in Ariane’s lap.
Ariane glanced down at him and raised an eyebrow before she picked him up and placed him back on the table.
Lucien puffed his chest when he was safely back on the table—he wasn’t really certain what he had been trying to accomplish except, perhaps, to get Ariane’s attention. He was slightly gratified when she leaned closer.
“Things seem to be wrapping up. Do you think the Summit will last longer?” she asked.
“A few more days—they have to figure out what specific resources they will share now and make plans for the ways they will use their intelligence networks. After that, there isn’t much left for them to do.”
“And then Lady Enchantress Angelique will take the spell off you?” she asked.
“Yes,” Lucien said emphatically.
He didn’t care if the rogue mages still skulked around—he was not going to take living as a frog much longer!
There was a moment when Lucien could have sworn he saw sorrow in Ariane’s eyes, but she immediately chuckled. “I expected as much. Best enjoy your last few days as a frog, then. Are you certain you don’t want to take a dip in the pond?”
Lucien pointedly snatched another date off his saucer. “Yes, thank you,” he sniffed.
Ariane grinned, then returned her attention to Severin and the rest of the Summit.
Lucien tilted his head—also listening to representatives—but he studied Ariane. When I’m no longer a frog, she won’t be around. He was surprised to find that the realization brought him no small amount of pain.
Throughout the Summit, she had steadily chipped away at the mask he held up to guard himself against pain and false expectations. Though he had known her for a short time, she knew him better than acquaintances he had known since childhood—barring Severin of course.
And now, once the Summit was over, she would step back, and Lucien would be alone in his sparkling and cold courts. Again.
Maybe I could speak to Father about giving her a title for her bravery? She deserves it, but I don’t believe it would help my cause. She would stay at home cleaning her house rather than exchange empty compliments and lies with the rest of the court. But I can’t lose her!
Lucien paused and tried to identify what it was in him that was so vehemently opposed to letting Ariane slip from his life. Puzzled, he glanced up at Ariane again.
Her dark brown hair was glossy in the afternoon light, and her intelligent eyes were alight with interest—though she occasionally chewed on her lip.
He didn’t think she’d ever seemed more beautiful before.
Oh. Oh. So that’s it. I think I just might love her.
It certainly fit the bill. Besides Ariane, he cared very little if anyone besides his family flitted through his life or not. He had told her things he hadn’t even voiced to Severin—his doubts that he wasn’t good enough, his worries everyone would think him lesser—and when she accepted them graciously and with a smile, he had almost collapsed in relief.
It’s no small wonder I fell for her—it is only foolish of me not to have noticed sooner.
To be fair, he hadn’t really loved a woman in this manner before. He had never even entertained the thought. He always imagined it was impossible because who, in the name of all that was good, would accept him, much less want him?
I love her…but what do I do about it? Lucien hopped in a circle, deftly avoiding Ariane’s hands when she tried to herd him back onto his pillow. I can’t just declare my love—she’ll throw me in the pond! Do I give her gifts? A manor maybe?
Usually when he was trying to charm a particular lady for political reasons, jewelry and pretty words did the trick. But Ariane was different. She wouldn’t fall for his old tactics, and it wouldn’t be right even if he tried, as she actually meant something to him.
It was something he would have to discuss with Severin—once the Summit was over. If he had to, he could remain a frog while Angelique left with the emperor. That would give him a few more days with Ariane nearby and would earn him enough goodwill with Severin that his sharp-minded brother would hear out Lucien’s problem-of-the-heart.
Severin will know what to do—he married a commoner himself. Until then, I’ll just…let her see more of me and hope she’ll accept it.
It didn’t occur to Lucien that his family might not approve—he had often done as he wished, and he suspected if his parents learned of the hold Ariane had over him, they would agree to a courtship if only to embrace her as a method to control him.
Lucien croaked in surprise when Ariane picked him up and held him in her arms, forcing him to be still. He tried to wriggle from her grasp.
“Lucien, stop it,” she whispered. “You’re distracting.”
Lucien tried to smile and puffed up his chest. “Well.”
“Not in that manner,” Ariane said.
Lucien sniffed, though he settled in her arms. “You just don’t know what you’re missing.”
Ariane scoffed, but there was a smile in her eyes.
Yes, Lucien concluded. I’ll have to learn some new tricks…because she’s worth it.
Two days later, Ariane struggled to hold Lucien’s cushion—he was not a light frog—as he bid farewell to the Lady Enchantress Angelique and Emperor Yevgeniy. Lucien, Mage Firra, and Mage Donaigh were the only Summit attendees present. Everyone else had said their farewells in the chateau and were already cloistered in another meeting, for the Ringsted representatives were scheduled to depart the following morning, and there were still arrangements to be made.
“I am surprised and impressed that you are willing to remain a frog until I return, Prince Lucien.” The lady enchantress tilted her head as she studied Lucien, the corners of her lips barely turned up.
“For the sake of my brother’s sanity, I shall,” Lucien said. “Because I am such a selfless person.”
Ariane snorted.
Angelique’s smile deepened for a moment. “It is true your brother rests easier knowing you remain strongly protected.”
“How long will you be, Angelique?” Mage Firra asked.
“It depends on what I find,” Angelique said. “It is difficult to gauge Sorcerer Rothbart’s power from reports. I hope I can face him alone, but if my power is not enough, I will send word for help.”
Mage Firra opened her mouth, but her eyebrows furrowed as she studied Angelique’s smile, which had taken on a slightly sad edge, then said nothing at all.
Hmmm…there seems to be pain here. But over what, I cannot guess. Unless Lucie
n is right, and other mages really do fear her?
“We wish you luck with all we have,” Mage Donaigh said.
“Thank you,” the enchantress said.
“Are you ready, Lady Enchantress?” Emperer Yevgeniy crossed the courtyard on the back of a beautiful red roan horse. His escort—guards and a few secretaries—were already mounted on their animals as well, the Kozlovkan banner held up by a flagbearer.
“Nearly so. I just have to summon my mount,” Angelique said.
“Ahh, yes, Pegasus,” Mage Firra said.
“Who?” Ariane asked Lucien.
Angelique raised a hand to the sky. “Pegasus! It is I—Enchantress-in-Training Angelique. I summon you from the skies to carry me across the lands. Come!”
There was a boom—like the growling roll of thunder.
A black shape plummeted from the sky. It looked vaguely like a horse—though its mane and tail were made of dark blue flames, and its black body seemed more like the night sky. It had huge black wings, and when its front hooves touched the ground there was a crash that made the courtyard tremble. The black wings disintegrated into a cloud of feathers that floated away in a cloud.
The horse—Ariane hesitated to call it that, but she didn’t know any other word that could describe it—snorted, making its black nostrils flare coal red. When it pawed the ground—casting sparks into the air—the horses in the emperor’s party backed away and rolled their eyes in fear.
It pranced up to Angelique and tossed its head. Angelique did not shrink back, even though the horse circled her and shrieked—a noise like breaking glass. Instead, the enchantress stroked its head. “Did you enjoy your sojourn in the skies?”
The steed grunted deep in its throat and briefly leaned its head against her torso, then went down on its forelegs so Angelique could ease onto its back.
“He’s very fond of you, isn’t he?” Mage Donaigh asked.
Angelique patted her mount as it scratched one of the starry flecks of white on its foreleg. “We’ve come to an understanding.”
Mage Firra snorted. “I’m pretty sure no enchanter or enchantress before you could boast that Pegasus gave them cuddles.”
Mage Donaigh adjusted his hat. “Strange times we’re in!”
“Not strange, but dark,” Angelique said grimly. “Stay safe as you investigate Carabosso. Do you think Princess Rosalinda will wake soon?”
Mage Donaigh looked to the ground, and Mage Firra sighed. “We can only hope at this point. Godspeed, Angelique.”
“To you as well.” Angelique circled her mount once, then moved to join Emperor Yevgeniy’s party. “Goodbye!”
“Goodbye,” Ariane said, adding her voice to the mages’ farewell.
“Don’t take too long, Angelique!” Lucien shouted. “Safe journey, Emperor Yevgeniy!”
“Give my greetings to your father!” Emperor Yevgeniy waved as his horse snorted at Angelique and her strange mount. Despite the horses’ fear, the party moved out, clattering across the courtyard.
When they reached the long lane that led to the forest road, Ariane—her arms aching—turned to go inside. “Do we return to the Summit?”
“Yes, for now. Mage Firra, Mage Donaigh, are you coming?” Lucien called to the pair.
Mage Donaigh winked. “We’ll wait until the lady enchantress makes it to the road.”
“Very well,” Lucien said before Ariane whisked him inside.
“I’m surprised you were willing to remain a frog.” Ariane strode across the large entryway, breathing heavier when she hustled up the handful of stairs that raised the Chateau above the dining hall and kitchens. “Angelique will likely be gone for a few weeks.”
Surprised didn’t really begin to describe Ariane’s shock. She had been positive he would abandon his frog body as swiftly as possible. That he delayed it confused her greatly.
“Ahh. Yes. Well, Severin—”
“Can only be part of your reason,” Ariane said with confidence.
A croak sneaked out of Lucien’s control as they hurried down the hallway that led to the ballroom. “You think so little of me?”
“You aren’t afraid of the mages—not enough to stay a frog.”
“I see. Well, there are a few advantages to remaining an amphibian.” He leaned back on his cushion, stretching out in the sunlight that hit him when they passed open windows.
“Such as?” Ariane kept her voice light, and though she felt hope nudge her heart, she ignored it.
“As long as I am a frog, Father won’t ask me to take part in governmental meetings and such!”
Ariane rolled her eyes. “I should have known.”
“Yes,” Lucien said smugly.
Ariane was tempted—in love with him or not—to flick the smug expression off his frog face when a shadow fell across them. She glanced at the window. “What—”
A shadow as thick as tar darted through the window and wrapped around Lucien. Ariane dropped the cushion and tried to grab Lucien—grappling against the shadow. But it whisked him right out of her hands and through the window.
Chapter 9
Shadows and Spiders
“How do they keep getting through the chateau’s defenses?” Ariane whipped her magic-enhanced whistle out of a pocket and fitted it to her lips. She started blowing on it with enough force to rouse half the chateau, then planted her hands on the windowsill and popped over it.
She landed in the gardens—still blowing her whistle—and spotted the male mage with the white mask struggling to subdue Lucien—who had a shadow wrapped around his head.
Ariane grimly grabbed a decorative rock the size of her fist and ran towards the fighting frog prince and the mage. She paused and whirled around when she heard a buzzing noise behind her.
The female mage had a cloud of wasps hanging at her back. When she pointed, they flew towards Ariane, their angry buzzing nearly covering the droning sound the mage made.
Ariane reflexively held her arms across her face and felt the hush of air move across her body as the wasps hovered directly over her. The handkerchief—tucked beneath her underskirt—felt like ice on her skin…and nothing happened. Ariane found it hard to breathe from the adrenaline that pumped through her system, but she forced herself to lower her arms and peek at the mage.
A wasp tried to sting her on her bare forearm, but when it almost brushed her skin, it disintegrated into dust.
It’s the spelled handkerchief—they can’t touch me! Ariane grinned triumphantly, then spun around and threw her rock, nailing the male mage on his lower back.
“Ow!” The mage snarled and stumbled, dropping Lucien on the ground. Lucien scuffled with the shadow before it popped off his head and he could gasp for air. The mage was on him in an instant, holding him by his feet.
“Ariane, leave me and run!” Lucien shouted.
“I’ve used my whistle—help is coming,” Ariane promised as she dodged the bug mage, who tried to grab her by the wrist.
“I don’t care about help! Get out of here before they hurt you!” Lucien dangled from the mage’s grasp for a moment, trying to feebly push the mage and his shadows away with his front legs.
Still unfettered by the wasps, Ariane jumped on the male mage’s back, sending him sprawling. The fall loosened his grip on Lucien, who hopped free. “Stop saving me and run!” he repeated in an angry hiss.
Ariane tried to roll off the mage, but one of his shadows grabbed her by the ankles and flung her away. She landed on a dirt walking path, rattling her teeth with the force of her fall.
“Ariane!” Lucien shouted.
“Stop hopping around!” the male mage growled.
“Do you really think I’m going to listen to you?” Lucien sniffed—managing to sound haughty even while he fled a murderous mage.
Lucien! Ariane ignored the buzzing wasps—which were still trying to edge in on her without success—and sat up. Immediately, the male mage’s shadows hit her in the stomach, sending her sprawling and knocking the air
out of her.
“What are you doing?” the mage snarled at his companion. “You were supposed to occupy his keeper!”
The bug mage bit off her buzzing noise with a click of her teeth. “I’m trying! She has some sort of charm on her.”
“Then use something different,” the male mage growled. “Or use something stronger! My shadows are affecting her!”
“Ariane! Stop fighting, and just run!” Lucien shouted.
Ariane groaned and shook her head. She grabbed her whistle from where it had fallen in the dirt next to her, and fitted it to her lips to blow again.
“Silence her!” the mage said.
“I’m working on it!” The bug mage opened her mouth again, and this time a sort of tapping noise filled the air.
Ariane stood—more guardedly—and then ran at the shadow mage as he successfully wrapped another blob of shadows around Lucien’s head.
Her heart burst into panicked beats. “Lucien, no!” Ariane grabbed another large rock and threw it at the mage, but he dodged it. What I wouldn’t give for a broom right now! Lacking any weapons, Ariane tried to throw herself at the mage again.
He stopped her from drawing closer with a shadow, but Ariane wriggled until she leaned near his head, then blew her whistle directly into his ear.
“Stop it!” He dropped Lucien to clasp his hands over his ears.
Ariane ruthlessly kicked Lucien as if he were a ball. His outraged shouts were muffled as he went sprawling head over feet, rolling much farther down the walking trail. He’s indestructible, she tried to reason with herself. It’s better to get him away from them!
The shadow mage seemed shocked. “You just kicked him!” He declared, his voice muffled by his mask.
Ariane tried to blow her whistle again, but the mage ripped it from her mouth and held a hand over her lips. So, she bit him.
“You—you savage!” he snarled, leaping away from her.
I’m a little surprised by my success. For all their power, this pair seems…juvenile.
“Ariane, behind you!” Lucien shouted—having rid himself of his shadow gag a second time.
