The Frog Prince (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 2)

by A. G. Marshall

King Gustave glowered at Franco, making it very clear that he understood and did not approve.

  “This is ridiculous!” Carina said. “I need to speak to my father!”

  She tried to walk around Franco. The soldiers at the gate crossed their spears.

  “King’s orders,” they said.

  They didn’t look remotely sorry. In fact, they looked happy to deny Carina something she wanted. So did Franco. Stefan bristled.

  “I can distract them if you want to make a run for it,” he whispered.

  Carina shook her head.

  “Too risky,” she whispered into her hair.

  “I was promised a meeting with King Giuseppe,” Gustave said. “My business is urgent. I did not sail all the way from Montaigne to be ignored!”

  “Marquis Corbeau assured everyone that your business could wait,” Franco said. “As he is your senior adviser, King Giuseppe accepted his counsel.”

  Gustave stepped forward as well, but the guards kept their spears crossed. Franco smirked.

  “The king should be finished with his meetings by this afternoon. He will be happy to meet with you then.”

  He held out the picnic basket. Gustave met his gaze and kept his hands at his sides. Carina stared up at the castle, thinking. Finally, she gave up and took the basket. She staggered under its weight, and Gustave rushed to help her with it.

  “This is heavy!” he said. “What in the world is in here?”

  Franco’s smirk widened.

  “Everything necessary for a romantic afternoon. Enjoy yourselves.”

  The guards let him pass and shut the gate behind him. Carina glared at them. Stefan leaned against her neck.

  “You could still get in if you wanted. You could climb the wall.”

  She nodded and walked away from the castle, pulling Gustave and the enormous basket with her.

  “Father knows I can climb the walls. I’m sure he’ll have them guarded.”

  “This is an outrage,” Gustave said. “I am a visiting dignitary. He’s putting lives at risk with his stubbornness.”

  Carina sighed.

  “We’ll just have to wait. I don’t think they’ll let us in early unless we announce our engagement. Where would you like to have our picnic?”

  Stefan sat up and stared at Carina. He’d completely forgotten Kathelin’s offer.

  “I have a suggestion,” he said. “And I may have a way to prove magic to the king.”

  Carina stopped so quickly that Gustave ran into her.

  “Well?”

  Stefan swallowed.

  “It might be dangerous. Someone asked me to set up a meeting with you. Someone I don’t trust. It might be a trap.”

  “Who?” Carina asked.

  Stefan shook his head. Blasted mermaid. He couldn’t say anything that might risk Heinrich’s safety. Especially not when the tailor was at sea facing kraken.

  “It seems you can’t tell us directly,” Gustave said. “But can you give us a clue?”

  “She wants to meet by the southern harbor. She said afternoon, but maybe she’ll be early.”

  Carina led them off the main road to a winding footpath. It meandered down a hill covered with sunflowers.

  “When did you speak with her?” she asked.

  “While you were talking to the harbor master.”

  “You were supposed to be searching for evidence of the sea monster.”

  “I was.”

  Gustave stared at him.

  “Are you saying you were underwater when you spoke with her?”

  Carina gasped.

  “She’s a mermaid?”

  Stefan didn’t answer the question, but a strange pain pierced his heart. His limbs went numb. He gasped and slid off Carina’s shoulder. She dropped the basket handle and caught him before he hit the ground. Gustave shouldered the full weight of the basket with a grunt.

  “Frog?” Carina said.

  Stefan’s vision blurred, and he closed his eyes. The pain spread from his chest and made his head tingle. Was this the curse?

  He hadn’t said anything outright, but Carina had guessed the truth about the mermaids. Apparently, that counted.

  Stefan focused on breathing, and the pain eased. As if someone had grabbed his heart and slowly loosened their fist. He opened his eyes and found himself staring straight into Carina’s face. Concern filled her blue eyes. Her lips were inches from his.

  One kiss. A single kiss could solve all his problems. It could save Heinrich and make him human again. Stefan stared into her eyes, willing her to understand. A different kind of pain settled in his chest. She was so close.

  Carina met his gaze. What was she thinking? Even if she guessed he was a human, she knew nothing else about him. Could she love him when she thought he was a frog?

  Stefan shivered. Love? Where had that thought come from? This was Carina. The girl who ruined the Princess Test. The girl who got him cursed.

  And she was perfect. If only she could read his mind. He just needed one kiss.

  Carina blinked, and the moment passed. She pulled her face away.

  “Are you well?” she asked.

  Stefan nodded and struggled to sit up.

  “Please, no more questions,” he said.

  Carina’s frown deepened.

  “That was because of the curse? Because of what I said?”

  “What you guessed,” Gustave said. “It seems you guessed correctly.”

  “I didn’t think that would be enough information to matter,” Stefan said.

  His voice croaked more than usual, but the pain had subsided. Did that mean Heinrich was alright? Or that the curse had finished its job?

  “So your friend wants to meet us,” Gustave said.

  “Be careful!” Carina said. “You’ll hurt him again.”

  “She asked to meet you at the southern harbor this afternoon,” Stefan said.

  “Then we’ll go there,” Carina said. “I’m tired of guessing games. I want answers.”

  She cradled Stefan in her hands, leaving Gustave to haul the heavy basket by himself.

  36

  Carina kept a careful eye on the frog as she walked. He seemed to have recovered, but his sudden illness had frightened her. She had thought she was losing him.

  And had realized how much it would hurt if she did. When had this mouthy amphibian come to mean so much to her?

  The frog sat motionless in her hands, breathing slowly and avoiding her gaze. King Gustave trailed behind them, lugging the enormous picnic basket.

  “You don’t have to go,” the frog said. “I’ll be fine.”

  Carina shook her head.

  “If this person has answers, I want to meet her.”

  He turned and stared at the ocean. They followed the curving path and walked down a hill toward the southern harbor. Enough flowers to open a shop waved in the wind, filling the breeze with a sweet scent. It was a beautiful scene, but the frog’s focus stayed on the horizon.

  “Gustave’s captain seemed capable,” Carina said. “He’ll do his best to find your friend.”

  She stopped walking and studied the ocean. It was empty as far as she could see. Maybe she should stop reassuring the frog. She didn’t want to offer false hope. Was there anything left of the Seawolfe to find? The monster might have destroyed the ship by now.

  King Gustave caught up with them. Sweat glistened on his brow, and he panted from the exertion of carrying the picnic basket.

  “What can you tell us about the woman we’re meeting?” he asked.

  “I don’t trust her,” the frog said. “But there are others worse than her.”

  He flinched as if he’d said too much, but he didn’t faint again. Carina frowned. Others? Were there more mermaids?

  “What does she want?” Gustave asked.

  The frog sighed.

  “She says she wants to help. To work together.”

  Carina glanced down the path. They were near the ocean now. The southern harbor was much smaller
than the main pier. It had only one dock, and that was usually reserved for the royal family’s private sailboats.

  The tree-lined coast and calm water made the harbor a popular place for nobles, but it was empty now. Her parents must have ordered everyone to leave when Franco reported the path they’d taken.

  “Do you think we should work with her?” Carina asked.

  The frog shrugged.

  “I’m not sure what to think. At the least, we can listen. Maybe you could get proof of her.”

  Carina reached for her pocket and smiled. This time, she had her golden ball.

  This time she was ready.

  “I can get proof,” she said. “I know how to convince my father. All I need is a clear view of her.”

  Gustave stared at her.

  “How exactly do you plan to do that?”

  “I’ll show you at lunch. Let’s eat over there.”

  She gestured to a grassy area shaded by trees. Waves lapped against large rocks on the shore.

  “Great,” Gustave said. “I hope you’re hungry. I think they packed the entire kitchen.”

  He dragged the basket over and set it next to a tree. Carina flipped open the lid and pulled out a red blanket. Gustave spread it over the grass while she examined the rest of the contents. The frog balanced on the edge and peered inside.

  “Are those crystal goblets?” he asked.

  Carina smirked and plucked two goblets from the basket.

  “Yes. Sorry, we don’t have one for you.”

  Gustave joined them and pulled out two bottles of wine.

  “You’ll just have to drink out of the bottle.”

  The frog choked back a laugh.

  “As if I’d drink anything when we’re meeting- someone.”

  Gustave nodded and tucked the bottles back into the basket.

  “It would be best to approach this with clear heads. And full stomachs. Is that a chicken?”

  He pulled out a whole roasted chicken on a silver tray. Carina reached deeper into the basket and retrieved silverware and cloth napkins. By the time they had unpacked everything, the picnic blanket held several loaves of bread, silver bowls of vegetables and fruit, a tureen of soup, and an entire cake.

  “I’m surprised they didn’t pack a table and chairs,” Gustave said.

  “They could have at least used wooden plates,” the frog said. “Silver is heavy.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that.”

  Gustave settled onto the blanket and cut the chicken into smaller pieces with a large carving knife.

  “But silver is so much more romantic,” Carina said with a grimace.

  She sat, and her pink skirt billowed around her. She crumbled bread, vegetables, and meat onto a plate and gave them to the frog. He ate a few crumbs.

  “Are you sure you’re well?” she said.

  He nodded.

  “Just worried. They took a whole ship without a problem. What if they attack you?”

  Gustave held up the carving knife.

  “I’m armed this time.”

  “So am I,” Carina said.

  She pulled the golden ball from her pocket and placed it on the blanket. It gleamed in the sunlight. Gustave raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m not sure that will be much help against a sea monster.”

  Carina hesitated. The communication charm was supposed to be a secret. She had orders not to discuss its powers.

  But she wasn’t exactly playing by the rules anymore. If she was, she should be fluttering her eyelashes at Gustave instead of planning secret meetings with mermaids.

  “You can’t tell anyone about this,” she said. “I’ll be in serious trouble if you do.”

  She was already in serious trouble. The frog stared up at her.

  “Carina, are you sure you should trust him?”

  “We’ve trusted him this far, and he’s been helpful. This is a communication charm.”

  Gustave’s eyes widened.

  “I’ve read about those! Where did you get it?”

  “I’ve had it for a while. Would you like to see the treasury? Maybe you’ll notice something we missed.”

  Gustave nodded, and Carina handed him the charm. She hoped she wasn’t being foolish by trusting the King of Montaigne with so much information.

  Well, she knew she was being foolish. She just hoped her father didn’t find out.

  “Hold it to your heart and close your eyes.”

  Gustave did. The frog studied him.

  “That will really let him see the treasury?” he whispered.

  “It captures images and shows them.”

  “Fascinating. Lina would love that.”

  Carina’s eyes narrowed.

  “You know Lina?”

  The frog swallowed and wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  “Do you know her?” Carina said.

  “I believe you mentioned you knew her from the Princess Test in Aeonia. That she knew magic. It seems that a magic worker would find such a charm interesting.”

  He was lying. Or at least, not telling her the truth. It was painfully obvious.

  But why? Why would the curse keep him from admitting that he knew Lina?

  Gustave opened his eyes and handed the charm back to Carina.

  “That sapphire is breathtaking.”

  She nodded. She was breaking so many rules. What had gotten into her? At the start, it had seemed that she was doing what was best for Santelle.

  But maybe she was just doing what was best for herself.

  “Do you know what powers the gem has?” Gustave asked.

  Carina shook her head.

  “No one knows.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Gustave said. “In all the texts I’ve read, enchanted gems are small. No larger than a pea or possibly a grape. They were most often worn as jewelry.”

  The frog snorted.

  “You’d have to be a giant to wear that on a ring.”

  Gustave stared at his own ring and nodded.

  “Yes, I suppose. But what does it do?”

  Carina shrugged.

  “That is the question. But it seems likely that whoever broke into the treasury was trying to steal it.”

  “Your father didn’t agree with your theory?”

  She hesitated. How much information was too much? The frog sat up.

  “She doesn’t have to tell you anything.”

  Carina sighed.

  “Father refuses to believe in magic. I really shouldn’t tell you any more.”

  Gustave studied her a moment.

  “Can you tell me why they’re so eager to marry you off?”

  The frog hopped onto Carina’s lap.

  “She could ask you the same.”

  “Mine isn’t a secret. According to Montaigne’s laws, I can’t take on the full responsibilities of king until I’m married. My decisions must be approved by a council. Marquis Corbeau feels that having a king without full authority is damaging the country. And because I don’t have full authority, I am required to listen to him and consider the women he suggests.”

  “But you’re the king,” the frog said. “You can do whatever you want.”

  Gustave scoffed.

  “I wish it were that easy. As far as Corbeau is concerned, I’m a spoiled prince who isn’t responsible enough to decide anything on his own. They gave me the title of king so I could represent Montaigne on the Council of Kings, but that’s as far as my authority goes.”

  Carina nodded.

  “That makes sense. Mine isn’t that complicated either. I don’t fit in here. My siblings have a role in Santelle, but I don’t. My parents want me out of the way.”

  She was surprised by how much the statement stung. She had told more truth than she realized. Her father didn’t think she was useful as a spy in Santelle anymore, so he was sending her away. He claimed it was a reassignment, but what if she had simply outlived her usefulness in his eyes?

  “That must sound pathetic,”
she said. “Everyone in Santelle has a purpose, but I’m useless.”

  The frog patted her hand.

  “I wasn’t useful. Even before the- you know. I never really found my place.”

  Carina smiled at him.

  “I think you’re very useful. You’ll always have a place by my side.”

  The corners of his mouth turned up. If frogs could smile, he was grinning.

  Gustave cleared his throat.

  “So you can capture an impression of our guest with your communication charm?”

  “Yes. Father will believe in what the golden ball shows him. At least, he’s always believed it before.”

  If Gustave wondered why she had used a communication charm to show her father things before, he didn’t ask.

  A splash in the middle of the harbor caught Carina’s eye.

  “There,” she whispered.

  “It could have been a fish,” Gustave said.

  But he clutched the knife tighter. The frog hopped to the edge of the blanket.

  “I can go look,” he said.

  “No,” Carina said. “Don’t put yourself in danger. If it is our guest, she’ll come to us.”

  Another splash, closer to shore this time, made all of them gasp.

  “That’s a big fish,” Gustave said.

  Carina held her golden ball, ready for the next splash.

  “Hello.”

  A woman’s head popped out of the water. Carina bit back a scream. She kept control of herself just enough to toss the golden ball into the air and catch it.

  The mermaid smiled at them.

  “It is so nice to meet you all. My name is Kathelin.”

  37

  Stefan watched Carina’s reaction. She stared at the mermaid, entranced. Kathelin stayed a few feet from shore. Her long hair floated around her, covering most of her body. Her tail flicked beneath the surface and gleamed in the sunlight.

  “Be careful,” Stefan croaked. “Don’t get too close.”

  Kathelin smiled and winked at him.

  “I mean you no harm,” she said. “I want to help you.”

  “By stealing ships?” Carina asked.

  The mermaid swallowed.

  “Those incidents have been beyond my control. The kraken are restless. Far more so than usual.”

  Stefan hopped onto Carina’s shoulder.

  “Leander called the monster that stole the Seawolfe,” he said. “That wasn’t an accident.”