Carina swallowed. This couldn’t be good.
“I received a letter last week from the Marquis of Montaigne. He’s looking for a bride for the king, but doesn’t want to have a Princess Test after the spectacle in Aeonia.”
Carina’s mouth went dry. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. Not that she had anything productive to say. There could only be one reason her father was telling her this.
“The king and marquis will visit us next week. You will secure King Gustave’s proposal and marry him.”
Carina bit back a cry.
“You’re sending me away?”
“Reassigning you. Having a spy inside Montaigne will be valuable. King Gustave hasn’t shown much interest in ruling, so you may be able to influence the kingdom to Santelle’s advantage. You’ll still send reports. Still use the golden ball. You’ll just be a little further away.”
A few mountains away. An ocean away. Carina stood tall and willed her voice not to shake.
“Father, all I’ve ever wanted is to protect Santelle. To protect you.”
“And your marriage will. You’re dismissed, Carina.”
He regarded her with a cool gaze. Carina fought the urge to keep talking. To tell him that she didn’t want to leave her country. Her family.
Her home.
His eyes were unyielding. Carina pushed away her heartache and turned to go.
“One more thing, Carina.”
She waited. Her father adjusted the portraits on his desk before he spoke.
“Your behavior over the past few days has attracted a lot of attention, and I’m tired of excusing your actions to my council. For your next mission to be a success, it is imperative that no one suspects you are acting as my spy.”
Carina nodded. Where was he going with this?
“You’ll report to your mother from now on. She is aware of Montaigne’s marriage offer and approves of it. She’ll provide you with any help you need to win the king. You’ll meet with her at eleven today to discuss details.”
Carina allowed herself a bit of hope.
“Mother knows about me? My spying?”
“No. And keep it that way.”
The king dismissed her with a nod and turned back to his papers. Carina gritted her teeth and left the room with as much dignity as she could muster. She knew she looked upset. She couldn’t hide the tears pooling in her eyes.
“About time the king did something about her,” Franco said as she passed.
Carina pulled the golden ball from her skirt and gripped it in her hand. She walked to the garden clutching the ball like a lifeline. Her understanding of its magic was shaky at best. She knew it recorded impressions and images that could then be shared.
Did it have any other powers? Lina’s ring did multiple things. Maybe the ball could as well. Maybe it could help her out of this situation.
Lina would know.
The lump in Carina’s throat grew. She hadn’t realized how lonely she was until she befriended Lina. She enjoyed spying most of the time. It was fun to trick people. Fun to gather information and solve mysteries. She liked disguises. She liked adventure.
She would like it more if she had someone to share it with.
Carina looked to the sky and silently screamed. If anyone was halfway paying attention, they would realize it was impossible to be as clueless as she pretended to be. If they had ever known her at all, they would have noticed the change.
Then again, maybe it was better that they hadn’t. Serafina had asked questions and look where that got her.
The past few years, Carina had lived for the day she could rejoin her family. For the day she could put the secret missions behind her and be herself. Now they were sending her away to be married?
She would be more isolated than ever. She’d be spying on her husband. On everyone in her new country. She would never be able to let her guard down.
Carina tried to remember her last conversation with King Gustave. She’d seen him at the Princess Test, but before that? He had greeted her the last time she visited Collette. He had been polite but distant.
“Playing ball again?”
Carina whirled around. Serafina sat on a bench under a tree. Her eyes were red just like Carina’s. Her voice shook from crying. Carina tossed the ball into the air to capture the image. Maybe if father knew how upset Serafina was, he would restore her rank.
Unlikely. He had never let his children’s tears sway his decisions before.
She should leave. Staying here would only make things worse. Especially if her father heard about it. But Serafina spoke just as she turned to go.
“I know you met with father today. Did he punish you?”
Carina wished she could say something. That he had taken away her favorite gown. Forbidden her to play with the ball.
But she was still wearing the gown and holding the ball. Her true punishment wouldn’t be public for weeks. And marriage wouldn’t look like a punishment.
Serafina slumped.
“I knew he wouldn’t. I’ve worked as hard as I can my whole life, but he’s always liked you best.”
“He doesn’t.”
“Doesn’t he? Why else would he spend so much time with you? I’m going to run this country someday, and he cancels our meetings to speak with you! What do you even talk about?”
Carina glanced at the ball. They didn’t talk about anything important. She shared her findings with him through the golden ball’s magic. He gave her orders.
“Serafina, I’m sorry. I tried to get him to reinstate your rank.”
“Aw, your daddy didn’t give you something you wanted? Poor thing. I feel so bad for you.”
“Serafina, please.”
“No. Listen to me, Carina. After today, I don’t want to talk to you again. I don’t want to look at you. You’ve failed Santelle, and you’ve failed me. Everyone thinks you dropped out of the Academy because you couldn’t swim, but I know the truth. I haven’t forgotten.”
She leaned towards Carina. Her eyes glistened with hatred.
“Serafina-”
“Remember sneaking down to the harbor at night as children? Swimming in the moonlight? Because I do. I know you can swim. I know you failed the test on purpose.”
Carina swallowed. Her sister’s voice was soft. She sounded just like their mother at her angriest.
“That was different. The harbor is shallow and calm. The open waves in the ocean-”
“You could have done it. We both know that. So why didn’t you? Are you just that lazy? You’d rather play with toys and leave the rest of us to do all the work?”
“I tried. I tried to swim that day.”
“Why are you lying? We used to be friends!”
Serafina’s voice rose. Carina pulled her sister into a grove of trees so they would be hidden from passing servants. From anyone who might mention seeing the girls together to the king. They stopped in front of a small pond.
“We can still be friends, Serafina. Let me help you find the missing ships. We can find out who broke into the treasury.”
“Don’t you understand? I’m done with you, Carina. I kept thinking you’d wake up and do something useful, but you don’t belong here. You’d better hope someone chooses you at the next Princess Test you attend. If you’re still living in Santelle when I become queen, I’ll have you banished.”
Carina’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She tossed the golden ball into the air out of habit. Serafina’s eyes darted to the side, and she caught the ball before it landed. Carina reached for it.
“Give it back.”
“I think you should swim for it.”
“Serafina, don’t!”
“Do something productive for once, Carina. If you won’t swim for your country, maybe you’ll do it for your toy.”
Serafina threw the ball into the pond. Carina tried to catch it, but it flew past her and sank into the water. Carina grabbed her sister’s arm.
“What have you done? Se
rafina, I need that!”
“Calm down, Carina. I’m sure father will buy you another toy if you ask nicely.”
Serafina shook her arm loose and hurried away. Carina sank to her knees and stared into the water.
It was deep. Too deep to see the bottom. The pond was small and narrow. Even if she came back at night dressed in clothes appropriate for swimming, she wouldn’t be able to retrieve it. In a space that small, she might get caught between the rocks and drown.
Carina buried her head in her hands and cried. The golden ball was one of a kind. Irreplaceable. No one knew how to make such an enchantment these days.
Not only was she a useless spy, but she had lost one of Santelle’s treasures. Maybe father was right to marry her off. She wasn’t good for much else.
Carina knew she looked pathetic sobbing into a pond, but she didn’t care.
16
Stefan wriggled under the wall and hopped through the garden. He did his best to ignore the mud squishing against the slick skin on his belly.
A frog. He was a frog.
He had no idea how the mermaid had done it, and he didn’t care. The technicalities of the magic didn’t change the facts.
A frog.
He crawled through the grass, careful to stay out of sight.
Not that it mattered. As a frog, he was invisible. The people of Santelle took security seriously. There were guards everywhere. He wouldn’t dare try to break in as a human.
But the soldiers didn’t care about a frog sneaking into the castle.
Blast it all. Heinrich had warned him it was dangerous to stow away on the ship. Neither of them could have imagined this outcome, but still.
He was a frog, and Heinrich was cursed.
Stefan heard footsteps and ducked under a bush. A girl with dark hair pulled back in a braid ran through the garden. She looked like a giant from his place on the ground. Her navy dress rustled in the grass, and Stefan backed away from the path to avoid her pounding feet.
At least Heinrich was safe. The tailor had exchanged the last of his coins for a room at an inn. He could rest there while Stefan infiltrated Santelle’s castle and found a princess to kiss him.
Blast those mermaids.
The girl passed him and ran into the castle. Stefan hopped into a birdbath to get a better look at the entrance. Stone stairs led to an open door. He could go inside if he wanted.
But should he?
He wouldn’t be quite as invisible if he went indoors. Some lady or other was sure to see him and scream. Probably chase him out with a broom.
Would it be better to try to sneak in anyway, or to watch the doors and wait for Carina to come outside?
Neither plan was very good.
A sound caught Stefan’s attention. Someone was crying. Their sobs filled the garden. He listened for a moment, then hopped towards the noise. Maybe he could cheer them up and convince them to take him into the castle. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was slightly better than watching doors all day or dodging maids with brooms.
Stefan froze mid-hop and crashed to the ground when he saw who was crying.
Carina.
After all his trouble, there she was. Just like that.
She was prettier than Stefan remembered. Or maybe she was just more noticeable in her lacy pink gown. Her hair hung in golden ringlets down her back.
Stefan swallowed. The extra air made his chest puff out. He deflated it and crawled towards the princess. For all he knew, she was the type of girl who was scared of frogs and other small creatures.
Or liked to squish them. He hid behind a bush and cleared his throat.
“Why are you crying, maiden?”
His speech was much clearer than it had been when he was first cursed. He was getting used to his wide mouth and long tongue. Among other things.
Carina’s head shot up. She wiped her eyes and looked around the grove.
“Who said that? Where are you?”
“Princess, please don’t be alarmed.”
“I’ll scream for help. There are guards all around here.”
“I don’t mean you any harm.”
“Then show yourself.”
This wasn’t going how Stefan had planned. He needed this girl to like him enough to kiss him, and she had already threatened him with guards. He took a deep breath and hopped out from behind the bush.
Carina blinked at him. Stefan blinked back.
“Your Highness,” he said.
He wanted to bow but wasn’t sure he could manage it. His legs were still shaky from hopping to the castle. He settled for bobbing his head.
Carina blinked at him again.
“You’re a frog.”
“At your service, Princess.”
“A talking frog.”
“Your Highness is a keen observer.”
“Why? How?”
Stefan waved a webbed foot.
“That isn’t important right now. I’m here to help you.”
“Not important? How is the fact that you’re a talking frog not important? Are you magical?”
“Please, Your Highness, I would rather not answer questions about my past. It isn’t particularly interesting. What is important is that I’ve traveled a long way to find you, and I’d like to assist you if I can.”
“You’ve been looking for me?”
“Of course! Everyone in Myora sings your praises. I wanted to see you for myself. And may I say, they did not do you justice.”
Carina wiped her nose on her sleeve.
“I bet they didn’t. What do you want?”
“Truly, I want to help you. Why are you crying?”
She sighed.
“I’m going crazy. I’ve seen too much magic, and now I can talk to frogs.”
“As far as I know, everyone can talk to me. I’m very special, you know. So why not tell me why you’re crying?”
“I dropped my golden ball in the pond.”
Stefan waited for further explanation, but Carina didn’t offer any.
Well, he had known she was silly, hadn’t he? She had proved that with her antics at the Princess Test. But this was a new level of nonsense. What princess her age played with toys in the garden?
Questions aside, this was the chance Stefan needed. Whatever he thought of the ball, Carina clearly valued it. Retrieving it should put him in her good graces.
“I can get it for you.”
Carina’s eyes widened. They were red from crying, but Stefan couldn’t help but notice how the blue of her eyes reflected the water.
“It’s heavy.”
Stefan shrugged. If frogs could shrug. He wasn’t sure he had shoulders anymore. Blasted mermaids. If he saw them again-
They would probably kill him. Stefan cleared his throat and focused his attention on Carina.
“I’m a frog. I’m good with water. Will you do me a favor if I retrieve it for you?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What do you want?”
That was a fair question. He couldn’t say he wanted to be human again, or a kiss, or anything that might endanger Heinrich. He just needed to guarantee time with Carina so he could charm her into kissing him.
“Take me back to the castle,” Stefan said. “Let me live as your companion.”
“You want to be my pet?”
Stefan bristled. If frogs could bristle.
“Companion. Let me live with you. Eat food off your plate. Sleep on your pillow.”
He was pushing it, but if they spent that much time together, Stefan was bound to charm her. He was good at charming people. She wouldn’t be able to help kissing him.
He hoped.
“I don’t eat bugs. You’ll get my pillow slimy.”
“I don’t like bugs either. And my skin is not slimy. Really, Your Highness, I’m a sophisticated amphibian. There’s no need to insult me.”
Something danced behind Carina’s eyes. Amusement?
“Go on then.”
Stefan smiled.
Frogs could do that. He had an enormous mouth. He held his front leg out. Carina pinched his webbed foot with two fingers and shook it gently up and down.
“Deal,” Stefan said.
He took a deep breath and dove into the pond.
He swam easily as a frog. His webbed feet propelled him through the water. He blew air out in a stream of bubbles and discovered he could breathe underwater. Good.
The pond was deeper than he expected. His legs ached by the time he reached the bottom. Stefan skimmed the mud, searching for the golden ball. He found it half buried in muck.
He tried to grab it. No good. It was too big to wrap his arms around. Stefan reached as far around the ball as he could and pulled.
The smooth metal slipped out of his hands. Stefan braced his head against the ball and kicked.
It edged out of the mud.
Stefan backed up and glared at it. Honestly, what kind of princess was attached to a golden ball? He knew Carina was silly, but this was a bit much. She was sobbing and heartbroken over this?
He sighed. If frogs could sigh underwater. She might be silly, but she was his best hope of becoming human again. The best way to make Alaric and Lina happy at their wedding.
The wedding. Stefan frowned. If Carina had time to play with golden balls in the garden, how could she possibly be too busy to attend the wedding?
He shook his head and brought his focus back to the problem at hand. The ball was already sinking back into the mud.
Blast it all. He wouldn’t be able to carry it.
Stefan pushed the ball to the edge of the pond. It was a straight vertical wall made of rock. Interesting. Maybe this pond had started life as a well?
He wriggled under the ball and pushed. He raised it a few inches off the ground by bracing it against the wall and his body.
This might work.
Stefan inched his way towards the surface. Slowly, he left the muddy ground behind him. His legs burned, but he kept kicking. Kept swimming. Kept pushing that blasted ball up the blasted wall.
Why couldn’t she have dropped it in a normal pond? He could have rolled it up a nicely sloped shore.
The Frog Prince (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 2) Page 8