The Frog Prince Read online

  She glanced at her reflection in a pond to make sure she wasn’t dirty. Her golden hair hung in ringlets down her back. Her pink silk dress had a few wrinkles, but nothing that would draw attention. The extravagant lace and ruffles hid most of the evidence of her activities.

  As they were designed to.

  Carina sighed and walked through the garden towards the castle. She pretended to play with the ball, tossing it into the air and catching it. It baffled her that anyone believed a nineteen-year-old girl’s favorite pastime was playing catch. Then again, she could be very convincing.

  She slipped through the hallways just as quietly as she had through the forest. Servants nodded as she passed, but no one spoke. They observed her with the usual mix of pity and disgust.

  She went to the dining room first. Blast, she had missed breakfast. She needed to report to her father as soon as possible. He needed to know about the strange attack. Injured or not, the man had already had hours to escape.

  Servants bustled around the room, clearing trays of food. Carina grabbed a handful of orange slices and ate them while she walked to the throne room. If they had finished breakfast, they would be in council.

  Guards crossed their spears to stop her as she approached the throne room door. Franco, her father’s steward, stood behind the guards and shook his head.

  “I’m sorry, Princess. The king is in council with his highest officers. He’s not to be disturbed.”

  Especially by the likes of you. He didn’t say it, but he might as well have.

  Carina smiled at Franco, pretending not to notice his scorn. The guards tightened their grips on their spears.

  “I know all that, Franco, but this is very important. I’m sure father will want to hear about it. Will you tell him I’ve found a new polish for my ball?”

  She held the gleaming golden ball up for his inspection.

  “Princess-”

  “Just tell him, please. If he doesn’t want to see me, I understand.”

  Franco glared, but Carina’s smile never wavered. She looked exactly like the idiot he thought she was.

  “Very well,” he said. “I do have orders to relay any messages that come through. Wait here, Princess.”

  “Of course.”

  Carina balanced the ball in her palm and spun it while Franco sent a guard to deliver her message. The guard returned a few moments later.

  “He wants to see her.”

  He sounded shocked, annoyed, and exasperated all at once. With a voice that expressive, he should be on the stage instead of standing in front of doors all day.

  Carina curtsied and did her best not to look smug as she walked past. She didn’t need more enemies.

  The usual crowd sat around the throne room. Her brothers Santino and Massimo hovered on the edge of their seats, clearly eager for the meeting to end so they could rejoin their ships. Her youngest sister Adria sat beside them, just as eager.

  Santelle’s highest ranking dukes sat opposite her siblings. The three men formed her father’s senior council, and they didn’t look happy to see her. Carina smiled at each of them in turn.

  Duke Riccardo studied her with piercing black eyes. He always looked like he was biting back an insult or invitation to duel. Duke Enrico looked bored with the whole situation and barely acknowledged her presence. Duke Salvatore returned her smile with a look of grandfatherly kindness, but Carina knew his record better than to believe his appearance.

  Each of the dukes was ruthless in his own way, and none of them liked her.

  Her mother, Queen Cosima, sat to the king’s right. She pursed her lips at her daughter’s behavior and looked like she was holding back a lecture.

  Carina brightened when she saw the person seated on her father’s left side.

  “Serafina! You’re back!”

  Her sister had been at sea on a naval expedition for over a year. As the oldest royal child and heir to the throne, Serafina carried a lot of responsibility in Santelle’s legendary navy.

  Her father smiled at Carina as she approached him. He was the only one in the room who looked happy.

  “Honestly, Giuseppe,” Queen Cosima said. “You indulge her whims too much. We are in the middle of a meeting.”

  “You wouldn’t interrupt a council if I wanted to speak with you,” Serafina said. “Is this what’s been happening while I was away?”

  She glared at Carina. The sisters didn’t look much like each other. Serafina took after their father and had black hair that she kept pulled back in a tight braid. Very practical for a naval officer. She wore a uniform that matched her dark blue eyes: a tailored dress with a slim skirt devoid of the frills that covered Carina’s outfit. Serafina’s only embellishments were the gold bars pinned to her chest. Each one marked a military accomplishment or rank.

  The slender gold pin at the top was new. Carina hadn’t known her sister was up for promotion to admiral. Serafina’s latest voyage must have gone very well.

  Queen Cosima wore a similar uniform, but hers was dark gray to show that she served as a strategist rather than a commander. She kept her golden hair tucked into a neat cap. The queen looked like an older, sterner version of Carina.

  Carina swallowed. She always felt self-conscious about wearing her hair loose when they looked at her like that. She forced herself to smile and tossed her golden curls over her shoulder.

  “It won’t take long, Father. I’ve found a new way to polish my golden ball, and I’d love for you to see it. Please?”

  She stretched the last word into a sing-song syllable and clutched her hands over her heart.

  Her mother and siblings crossed their arms and glared at her. The dukes looked to the king to see how he would deal with this most uncalled for interruption. Carina couldn’t blame them for being annoyed, but their animosity still stung.

  “Giuseppe, I won’t stand for this. You’ve spoiled her far too long if she thinks this behavior is acceptable,” Queen Cosima said.

  The king waved his hand.

  “Nonsense. Our daughter has found something she enjoys, and I would like to support her. You and Serafina go to the docks to inspect the latest shipment of rope. I’ll join you after I speak with Carina, and we’ll resume our discussion. The rest of you have your assignments.”

  Massimo, Santino, and Adria needed no further invitation to leave. They shrugged at Carina and bounced out of the room. Serafina stayed seated.

  “Rope? You’re sending us to inspect rope while you talk to her about a toy?”

  “You’re out of line, Admiral.”

  The king’s tone was dangerously soft. Serafina flinched and saluted.

  “My apologies, sir.”

  She glared at Carina as she walked past. Carina swallowed but didn’t allow the smile to fade from her face. The queen and dukes avoided looking at her as they left. Once everyone had gone, King Giuseppe turned to the guards.

  “You are dismissed. Close the door on your way out.”

  The guards bowed and did so. As soon as the doors shut, the king’s indulgent face turned hard.

  “You’re late, Carina. Very late.”

  4

  Stefan wandered through the castle after his haircut. Everyone rushed around to prepare for the wedding, but the whirlwind of activity lacked the unpredictability and excitement of the Princess Test. Marta had offered him a few small jobs to keep him busy, but he wasn’t interested in reviewing guest lists or making seating charts.

  Nor was he interested in organizing the magic vault that Marta had recently revealed to the royal family. Stefan had enjoyed swinging the magical swords around for a few days, but organization wasn’t really his thing.

  Maybe he should take up herding goats. Henry could use the help.

  Stefan shook his head. Was he that desperate for something to do? He didn’t want to answer that question.

  Almost without realizing it, Stefan found himself outside his stepmother’s sitting room. He pushed the door open and entered without knocking.<
br />
  Marta’s room was a sea of white fabric and purple flowers. Hilda, the queen’s personal seamstress, bustled around a figure draped in yards of white silk and a lace veil. The figure pushed aside the veil and smiled.

  “Hello, Stefan.”

  “Lina! I didn’t expect to see you here. Aren’t you spending all your time underground in the vault these days? Or training in the realm of shadows?”

  “I’d like to be. I’m supposed to be helping Cael practice light magic right now.”

  Hilda pulled the lace veil back over Lina’s face.

  “Your Highness can afford to spend a few hours away from the vault to have your wedding gown fitted.”

  “Fitted? Hilda, you and Bastien have redesigned it three times.”

  Marta stood and circled Lina, examining the dress.

  “I want everything to be perfect. You are a national hero, Lina. And our future queen. Given the King of Gaveron’s recent antics, this wedding is a perfect opportunity to show our strength as a nation.”

  Hilda said something, but the pins in her mouth distorted the words. She seemed to be agreeing with Queen Marta.

  “You’ve got it better than Alaric,” Stefan said.

  “Really?”

  Lina’s eyes lit up with interest.

  “What monstrosity has Bastien made now?”

  Hilda pulled the pins out of her mouth.

  “Your Highness, my husband has never made a monstrosity in his life.”

  “Of course,” Lina said. “Please forgive me. Sleeping for a hundred years has made me unaware of the latest fashions.”

  “You mean men didn’t wear purple hair ribbons in your time?” Stefan said.

  “Purple ribbons? Oh, poor Alaric. He was hoping to wear his military uniform and be done with it.”

  Stefan scratched his chin. The military uniform wasn’t a bad idea. His brother would look regal and official but not overdone. It would take a lot to convince Bastien of that. Would that be a good present? Helping Alaric wear his outfit of choice to the wedding?

  No. Not big enough.

  “A military uniform,” Hilda sniffed. “Really. Where would poor Alaric be without Bastien’s guidance?”

  Stefan had plenty of replies to that, but none of them would soothe Hilda’s feelings.

  Queen Marta saw the gleam in Stefan’s eyes and changed the subject.

  “Have you selected your attendant yet, Lina? I know I haven’t given you much time to decide, but the sooner we have this wedding the sooner we silence Gaveron’s complaints. I assume Alaric will choose Stefan.”

  Stefan bristled.

  “Of course I’m Alaric’s wedding attendant! Who else would he choose?”

  Hilda muttered something under her breath. Stefan couldn’t make out the exact words, but it didn’t sound complimentary.

  He stood tall, doing his best to look princely and offended.

  “What about you, Lina?” Queen Marta said. “Have you asked anyone?”

  “Yes, but she said she can’t come.”

  Hilda stabbed a pin into the veil.

  “Someone has refused to be wedding attendant to the future Queen of Aeonia? Who would dare?”

  “Carina.”

  Stefan sputtered.

  “Carina of Santelle? You’re inviting her back here? On purpose?”

  “Stefan, she’s very nice.”

  “Why don’t you just invite Princess Fiora and be done with it?”

  He paused.

  “You haven’t invited Fiora, have you?”

  Lina sighed.

  “We sent official invitations to all the royal families in Myora, but most of them are reluctant to travel to Aeonia so soon after the Princess Test. Kell agreed to send an ambassador, but the royal family isn’t coming.”

  “You’re sure Carina can’t come?” Queen Marta said. “We could send a ship to fetch her if transportation is an issue.”

  Hilda scoffed.

  “Transportation? With Santelle’s navy, transportation is the least of her problems.”

  “It was a short letter,” Lina said. “She thanked me for the honor but said she would not be able to attend. That was all.”

  “Well, good riddance then,” Stefan said.

  “Isn’t there anyone else, dear?” Marta said.

  “I thought of asking Eirwyn, but we’re not on the best terms with Gaveron right now. It doesn’t seem like a good political move since her father disapproves of me and Alaric. I don’t really know anyone else.”

  Her voice trailed off. Sleeping for over a hundred years had worse consequences than being out of touch with fashion. Everyone Lina had known in her time was dead.

  Queen Marta patted her shoulder.

  “There are plenty of nice young ladies in Aeonia who would be honored to serve as your attendant. Perhaps I could introduce you to the duke’s daughters?”

  Lina nodded, but she didn’t meet Marta’s gaze. She looked straight ahead and blinked back tears.

  Stefan excused himself. He wandered down the hallway, ideas racing through his head.

  Lina had no family alive to attend the wedding. That was bad, but it would be even worse if she had a stranger as her wedding attendant. It would cast a shadow over the entire event. If Lina was sad, Alaric wouldn’t enjoy the day either.

  Perhaps the best present Stefan could give his brother was a happy bride.

  And the best way to make Lina happy was to ensure she had a friend as her wedding attendant.

  Carina. Ugh. Stefan didn’t understand why Lina liked the girl. Carina had been nothing but trouble at the Princess Test. A terrible bore who talked incessantly of seagulls and almost ruined everything by marrying his brother.

  That wasn’t really her fault. Alaric had been the one to choose her. But still, she had made things difficult.

  Stefan did some calculations as he jogged towards his room. The wedding was in nine days. It would take three days to sail to Santelle on a fast ship. He could probably convince Carina to come to the wedding in a day. Maybe it would take two. Then three days to sail back and arrive in plenty of time for the ceremony.

  A grin spread across his face. That would cause a stir. He would arrive with Carina in tow, just in time for the wedding. Lina would be happy, so Alaric would be happy.

  The perfect gift.

  Heinrich was still in Stefan’s room when the prince returned. He looked up from mending a cloak and frowned when he saw the prince’s face.

  “Your Highness, whatever you are thinking-”

  “Pack my plainest clothes and one regal outfit, Heinrich. I’m going on a trip.”

  5

  Her father looked furious that she was late. Carina swallowed. Her news would not improve his mood. She saluted and stood at attention. King Giuseppe leaned back in his seat.

  “What is so important that you needed to interrupt my council and draw attention to yourself?”

  “I finished investigating the Vanquisher, sir. Someone attacked me on my way back. We need to send guards to catch him before he gets away.”

  The king raised an eyebrow.

  “The guards can find a robber easily enough. That doesn’t justify interrupting a council meeting.”

  Carina ducked her head.

  “He had glowing yellow eyes and tracked me through the woods at night. I doubt he was an ordinary robber.”

  “Did he recognize you?”

  “He didn’t speak, but I think he meant to kidnap me. He had rope and tried to tie me up.”

  “That does sound suspicious. Why didn’t you deal with him?”

  Carina gulped. She had never been good at “dealing” with people.

  The king leaned forward.

  “You let him live? Let him escape? A man who may have identified you during a mission?”

  “He was injured. Shot in the leg by the archers on the wall. I thought getting back to the castle was more important than tracking him.”

  “And you have proof of this attac
k?”

  Carina bit back a groan.

  “No, sir. It happened so fast-”

  A growl escaped the king’s throat.

  “This is unacceptable, Carina. I don’t want excuses. Don’t let it happen again.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ll send guards to search for him. What did you discover about the Vanquisher?”

  “It appears that the sailor’s original reports were correct. The entire starboard side of the ship is damaged.”

  She handed him the golden ball. King Giuseppe held it to his heart and closed his eyes. Carina stood at attention, barely breathing. The communication charm would relay the results of her latest mission to the king. He trusted the impressions it provided far more than he trusted her words.

  King Giuseppe opened his eyes and handed the ball back to her.

  “They blame a sea monster,” he said.

  Carina nodded.

  “The entire crew told the same story. Something reached out of the sea and scraped the side of the ship. It was too foggy to see it properly.”

  The king laughed and shook his head. Carina frowned.

  “Sir?”

  “Sailors will say anything to get out of trouble. They obviously crashed into a rock and are covering for each other.”

  Carina’s brow wrinkled.

  “The men are genuinely unsettled, sir.”

  “Of course they are. Their careers are over.”

  Carina pursed her lips together but said nothing. The king sneered.

  “Sailors are always claiming they see things in the ocean. Monsters. Mermaids. Nonsense. I expect more discernment from you in future reports.”

  Carina thought of the men she’d interviewed. They had all been scared. Shaken. Sailors of Santelle weren’t easily spooked.

  “It might deserve further investigation, sir. Especially after the strange events at the Princess Test. No one believed goblins existed until one attacked in Aeonia. And you saw Lina’s shadow magic yourself.”

  The king narrowed his eyes.

  “Yes. That.”