One Kiss (6 page)

One thing Serenia could decide for herself was the amount of perfume she wanted. But even that, she’d have Molly do. “Molly, three good squeezes.”

Serenia smiled, flashing her perfectly symmetrical dimples. Today they looked somehow not as charming. “Thank you kindly, Prince John.”

“Let’s just make it John.” He took her hand. “I don’t care for formalities, and we’re past such things, don’t you think?”

She giggled, the sound grating on Robert’s nerves for some reason. She hadn’t caught a chill, and her voice was still the same.
So why don’t I find it enchanting any longer?

“You’re so kind,” she said, half-simpering.

He hated simpering women.

They started walking in the garden, following the familiar path. Molly trudged behind them, once again carrying the gigantic parasol by herself. Robert frowned. Her helper must still be sick. He made a mental note to ask about the matter later and settled inside the pocket, trying to make himself small and unnoticeable.

Molly smelled of soap, sweat and sweet, sweet female. Robert’s eyes half closed with appreciation. He’d never thought such simplicity could be so lovely.

Perhaps it was just him. He could remember preferring more sophisticated things, but having been a frog for so long he no longer seemed to care as much about them.

Or perhaps it was Molly. For someone who clearly had not had many advantages in terms of upbringing or education, she fascinated him with her frank talk and practical mind—two rare and admirable qualities in anyone, much less a woman.

It was a pity she was unsuitable to undo his curse.

As they approached the spot where he’d left the day’s offering, Molly slowed and said, “Your Royal Highness, there’s another golden ball in the grass. It seems a match for the one from yesterday.”

And clever and honorable as well. He hadn’t been certain that Molly would remember to tell Serenia about the ball, or, even if she did, that she would bother to do so. The parasol was unwieldy, and it would be no surprise if she wanted the walk to end as soon as possible.

Serenia stopped and looked to her left. Her eyes widened as she zeroed in on Robert’s second ball. Clapping, she squealed. “Oh, so pretty! I want, I want, I want!”

John scowled, a small muscle twitching above his left eyebrow. “My dear, it’s just a ball.”

“No, it’s a golden orb. Do fetch it for me,” she said.

Crimson suffused John’s face, and his hands tightened into fists. Was he going to strike the princess? It wouldn’t surprise Robert. John was infamous for his temper.

“Of course,” he said through clenched teeth.

He picked up the ball and brought it to Serenia. She examined the fine filigree and patterns.

“Isn’t it lovely?” She held it close to her bosom, then held it away to study it again. Finally she kissed it.

Robert’s heart accelerated. She kissed the ball! Surely, that meant she was closer to kissing
him
, if that would mean getting the final one to complete her collection.

So why was he covered in a cold sweat?

Just nerves. And this damnable amphibian skin. That had to be it. He took a deep breath and asked, “Is the ball to your liking, Princess?”

John flinched at the voice. Eyes narrow, his gaze darted around.

“It is. I will allow you to give it to me,” Serenia said loudly.

Robert took another deep breath. “I present it to you as a token of my esteem, but you must give me something in return.”

Serenia flushed. “But I’m the princess. I should be able to have it for free.”

Perhaps some instruction was in order. “As you are a princess,” he said gently, “you should know that nothing worth having in life comes for free.”

“Yes, but I’m the
princess.”

Gods above, could she sound any more petulant? “Do you or do you not want it?”

She pouted. “What is it you wish in return?”

A kiss from you.
But it was too soon to demand that. She didn’t even like frogs. He needed to wear her resistance down bit by bit.

And might there be another reason for this delay?

Of course not. He didn’t want to rush forward and botch everything. The third ball—even more beautiful and the one that would complete her collection—was the key, not this one. “The silk handkerchief you keep against your heart.”

Serenia scowled. “But it’s one of my favorites.”

“The golden orb you hold is one of mine.”

She sighed. “Very well.” She dug her fingers into her bodice and pulled out a pink square of lace and silk, tossing it vaguely toward the spot where the ball had been. “There. Will you be satisfied now?”

“I will.”
Though it could have been done with better humor.
“Thank you.”

John cleared his throat. He cast dark glares at the ball and handkerchief. “Ready to resume our walk, my honeylamb?”

She nodded, though her gaze was glued to the ball. “Let’s go.”

As they turned and faced forward again, Robert stuck his head out of Molly’s pocket and located the handkerchief. His tongue shot out with unerring accuracy, stuck to the fabric and in a trice had reeled it back into his mouth. He quickly ducked back down again.

Robert took the handkerchief in his forelimbs and buried his face in it. It was soft, as silk was wont to be, and smelled of roses and spices and vanilla, the perfume Serenia had ordered Molly to pump earlier in the morning. He waited for something to stir inside him.

A faster beating of his heart. Some surging of the blood. A fluttery sensation in his belly.

His heart beat steadily; his blood flowed as usual. His belly remained calm.

Moisture, however, did begin to gather in his eyes. He blinked once, then several times rapidly. His eyelids began itching, and there was an unpleasant prickling sensation in his nose.

He was allergic to the princess’s perfume.

Disgusted, and worried that he might sneeze and give the game away, he kicked out powerfully and flung Serenia’s handkerchief out of Molly’s pocket.

* * *

After the walk it was time for the princess’s first nap, so Molly dropped Robert off in the garden.

“Many thanks for your assistance,” he said. “And speaking of such, where is your assistant?”

“Assistant? What are you talking about?”

“An assistant. A helper. For that parasol. It seems too heavy for one woman to bear.”

She gave a short laugh. “I have no helper.”

“How very odd. Does the princess know how heavy the parasol is?”

Molly shrugged. Serenia wasn’t the type to care about such things. Every time someone spoke of needing extra assistance, she rolled her cornflower-blue eyes and docked their wages by half. Molly couldn’t afford to have her pay reduced. “Go, before someone sees you.”

He hesitated, then turned away.

She watched him hop into the undergrowth. She didn’t have to concentrate much to see his true form now. Why was that?

Now she could see just how tall he was—at least six feet and two inches. Wide and muscular shoulders narrowed into tight hips that flowed into long powerful legs. Even knowing he was out of her league, she couldn’t help but sigh with appreciation at his masculine beauty. How truly unfortunate that he’d been turned into a frog. He could’ve had any princess he wanted, not just a spoiled one like Serenia.

Despite Molly’s cynical words, she knew not all royals were terrible. She’d met a few who were rather decent while serving Princess Serenia. Robert was the honorable and—

She yelped at a sudden, hard grip on her upper arm.

A hand covered her mouth with more force than necessary, hurting her lips. “Silly twit, shut up.”

She swallowed a scream. Prince John. What did he want from her?

When she nodded, he uncovered her mouth. She managed a sort of curtsy despite his iron grip. “Your Royal Highness, how may I serve you?”

“You reported to Serenia that you killed the frog yesterday.”

“That I did.”

“What did you do with the body?”

“I threw it away, as Her Royal Highness would not wish to view it. She despises frogs.”

His hazel eyes narrowed. How could she ever think them beautiful? So much cruelty and anger seethed in their depths. “I do believe you’re lying to me.”

“Your R-Royal Highness?” she stammered, her bruised lips suddenly numb. He could hurt her, and she wouldn’t be able to do anything. Who would come to her aid against a prince? And even if he beat her enough to visibly injure her, who would believe her word against his?

Princess Serenia would never do anything to annoy a guest, especially one who brought her jewels and other exquisite gifts. She’d always made it clear where Molly ranked in her world.

“Let her go, you coward!” Robert jumped out from between a couple of giant oaks. “For once, pick on somebody your size and rank. What manner of scoundrel tries to intimidate a maid half his weight?”

“I knew it!” John shoved Molly away.

She fell to her hands and knees. Her heart still hammered against her rib cage, but at least she was out of Prince John’s clutches. If he came for her again, she could always run.

“It’s not her fault I’m a quick frog.” Robert hopped onto the bench where Princess Serenia liked to sit. “If you really wanted me dead, you should’ve done the deed yourself yesterday, instead of foisting it off on the staff. Or is it that you’re too scared to do it yourself?”

Prince John’s face reddened. “I’ll kill you for that, you bastard.”

“You have it backwards, cousin. You’re the illegitimate one in the family, not I.”

Prince John shouted and charged toward Robert. The latter sprang away, moving quickly. His dappled green skin blended well into the lush garden full of grass, flowers and trees.

Molly put her shaking hands over her mouth. If Robert had been in his human form, he could’ve beaten Prince John easily, but he was just a frog now. How could he fight back?

If anything happened to him, it would all be her fault.

Prince John chased Robert through the undergrowth, thrashing and cursing. Finally Robert was driven out into a spot that had little cover. Robert seemed to be tired; Molly could see his sides moving in and out as he breathed. Prince John closed the distance quickly.

Jump, jump!

“Bastard,” Robert wheezed. “Illegitimate get. Baseborn.”

“Let’s see if you can continue to insult me after I’m through with you!”

Prince John raised his boot over Robert. Robert leapt away an instant before his cousin’s foot made a crashing impact against the spot. Prince John lost his balance as something crunched and gave way beneath him, and his leg disappeared into a knee-deep hole.

He screeched and pulled his leg out. Brown goo dripped from his shiny boot. There was a sudden smell of manure. Swearing, Prince John fell to his knees. “My ankle!”

Robert chuckled, no longer seeming to be out of breath. “Painful, is it?”

Spittle shot out from the enraged prince’s mouth as he made incoherent sounds of rage.

Molly ran toward Robert and checked him carefully for injury. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” He beamed. “And you? Are you all right?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

He shook his head. “No, please. I apologize for my cousin’s brutish behavior. I never realized he could be this ungentlemanly.”

“How did you know about this hole?” Molly herself had not known about it until today.

“When you said John had come around, I knew I’d need a little something like this soon enough. I prepared it last night.”

“You?” She tried to envision a frog digging a pit. “But…how?”

“You’re not the only servant who feels the need to supplement her wages. I hired a couple of stout fellows to dig some holes and a hunter to weave lattices of twigs to provide covers for them. My plan was to lure John into one while Serenia was present, so that she could see that even a tiny misstep would bring out his temper. But this is a far better use!”

She ran her fingers down his cheek. No one had ever come to her rescue, especially at such a great risk. Robert could have remained hidden; she hadn’t known he was close by, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have expected him to do a thing to help her.

Chivalrous and smart. Royals weren’t supposed to be that way. She swallowed as tender emotions she’d never thought she’d feel for a man surged inside her like a powerful arching wave.

“Here wench, come help me up,” Prince John moaned.

“No,” Molly said. Her own boldness startled her. She’d never spoken like this to one of Princess Serenia’s guests no matter how obnoxious they were.

“I shall tell Princess Serenia everything!” he declared.

What a weasel. “By all means. And I shall tell her you fell into a hole full of manure while trying—and failing—to dispatch a single defenseless frog.”

Robert chuckled. “That should bring you up a notch or two in her esteem.”

Prince John glared at her, but that was all he could do. For the moment. Molly knew he’d eventually find a way to get back at her, no matter how petty his revenge might be. Men like him always did.

“You get my men to help me up, then you keep your mouth shut,” he said finally.

“Why should I?”

“Because if you do, I’ll keep this little incident a secret. Your disgusting dalliance with my cousin can continue.”

“It’s not a dalliance,” Robert said. “But then you wouldn’t understand even if I explained it to you.”

“Shut up, Robert. Next time, you won’t be able to trick me.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Molly rose to her feet. “I shall send you your men. And if you keep silent about this, I will too.” She turned to Robert. “Thank you again.”

He inclined his head. “It was my pleasure, Molly.”

* * *

When Princess Serenia dismissed her for the royal afternoon nap, Molly hurried back to her room as quickly as she could, all the while looking back over her shoulder.

Thankfully she didn’t notice anybody. Still, there was a sense of unease. Given the kind of person Prince John was, it would be odd if he didn’t retaliate somehow.

Soon after she slipped into her room, Robert hopped onto the ledge of her window. “How did things go with John and Serenia?”