One Kiss Page 2

  “Oh yes. Much easier to believe that a wretched frog will shower me with coins of gold.”

  “I am not just a frog! I’m a prince. Prince Robert of Lustrea.”

  She shrugged. “Never heard of you.” Actually, she had guessed his rank from the crown he wore, but she didn’t want him to know she could see through his curse. “Anyway, the princess pays me to do things for her, for example getting rid of frogs such as yourself. So why would I work for you without payment?”

  “All right! I accept your terms.”

  “Swear it.”

  He looked like he’d swallowed a particularly unsavory insect. “I swear it, on my honor.”

  Molly managed not to scoff at the idea of “honor” from the frog. She hadn’t seen any evidence that such a thing existed among the royals, if he was indeed one. He probably didn’t even know what the word meant. “Go to the basement of the northern wing. My room is the second one on the right from the main entrance. You can’t miss it. I’ll tie a green ribbon on the latch. And bring the money in five small bags.”

  * * *

  Robert couldn’t believe the nerve of the maid. How dare she demand payment—and in advance!—for helping him. Was it not a great privilege to help a cursed prince?

  Still, he’d promised on his honor to pay her, so he would.

  The princess had called her Molly. A simple name, nothing fancy, but the maid attached to that name was anything but.

  The lass was too young to be so mercenary. Probably in her early twenties, he surmised. She was pretty in a mundane way—braided brown hair and lightly tanned skin. Her eyes, on the other hand, were extraordinary, large and beautiful and green as a forest in springtime.

  An apron with various pockets was wrapped around her; his mother’s maid used to put one on to carry items for her. Molly wore a simple blue cotton work-dress beneath, one that emphasized her small waist—surprisingly, hers had to be as tiny as Serenia’s—and generous breasts—which were definitely larger than the princess’s, much to his annoyance. He was irritated that he’d noticed her shapely form, though he wasn’t entirely sure why. The outward appearance of Serenia’s serving staff wasn’t relevant to undoing his curse. The fact that his skin felt tight and hot meant…

  Well. He was cursed, not dead. Of course he appreciated buxom women! It would’ve been more worrisome if he hadn’t noticed her breasts.

  Molly had calluses on her hands. He’d felt them when she’d grabbed him in the garden. Her grip had been gentle but sure, a woman with no qualms about handling frogs.

  If only Serenia shared the latter trait…

  The coins in the bags jingled as he hopped toward the palace. Five hundred gold pieces. What did she plan to do with such a large sum? Run off with a stable boy she fancied?

  And why did he care? It was none of his business what she did with the money, so long as she helped him undo the curse.

  A kiss willingly given by a woman of worth.

  Surely that was Serenia. Golden, radiant and beautiful, she was everything a royal princess should be. It was unfortunate she didn’t like frogs, but truth be told not that many women did. Besides, wasn’t that why he was paying Molly? With the inside help, he could win the princess. Afterward, of course, he’d have her dismiss Molly. A servant who could be bought shouldn’t be part of his future wife’s retinue.

  He went into the lower levels of the palace and found the door with the green ribbon. He scouted the area. How in the world was he supposed to get in? There wasn’t anybody around who could open the door for him.

  He went back out and along the rough stone wall, counting his hops, until he was at approximately the same spot. There was a small window near the ground, and he jumped up onto the sill. Inside he could see a yellow hair ribbon lying on a small table. Molly’s room. Maybe he should wait for her to come back, but… Ah well. She hadn’t forbidden him from entering her chamber.

  The room was dark except for what meager light came through window he’d just used. Moisture hung in the dank air, reminding him of a dungeon; even though it felt pleasantly cool on his skin he shuddered.

  Putting aside his unease, he explored the small square space. Molly didn’t have anything nice, just a change of clothes and some old bread and cheese. Purple wildflowers in a jar of water sat in the middle of the plain wooden table—a poor girl’s bouquet. Did they come from an admirer? Would Serenia even allow her maid to have a beau? Some princesses could be particular about their maids’ love lives.

  A small bed with a pathetically thin mattress squatted in the corner. He hopped on it a couple of times and winced. Molly wouldn’t even notice if the mattress went missing. All in all, a rather sad place, not something he found acceptable for a young woman. Didn’t Serenia provide for her staff better than this?

  Molly didn’t return until early afternoon, well past lunch time. Robert crouched on her pillow and watched her move around the room. She dragged, rolling her shoulders. Fatigue had carved lines around her eyes and mouth.

  She went to the table and poured herself a cup of lukewarm water. Afterward she cut a thick slice of bread and cheese and sat down. Her eyelids drooped and she bent to put her head on her arms.

  No no. Not until you talk to me first.

  “Hello. Remember me?” He hopped over, ignoring a twinge of guilt. She was clearly tired, but this curse business was too important to put off. “We spoke earlier.”

  The maid looked up and blinked at him. “I remember.” She frowned. “So you were serious.”

  “I wouldn’t have promised on my honor if I weren’t. Here are your coins.” He dumped the five bags, each containing one hundred gold coins, on the table. “Count them if you wish.”

  She peered inside one of the bags. “Gold. Very nice. I’ll count it after I eat.” She ripped a small piece from her bread, then hesitated. “Are you hungry?”

  “Yes.” He’d barely had a bite since breakfast. His usual routine would have afforded him lunch at least an hour earlier, but he’d had to go to the secret spot where he kept his funds and treasures. Molly didn’t seem like the type to lift a finger until she first had money in hand.

  So cold-hearted and calculating.

  If Fairy Godmother had things her way, he’d be courting someone like Molly. Upon consideration, that might have been easier. He could toss some sparkly gewgaws at her and she’d do anything for him. But the notion left a singularly bad taste in his mouth, worse than the stinkbug the Wicked Witch had tried to make him eat shortly after cursing him. Susceptibility to bribery made one distinctly less than worthy.

  “Here.” She placed a small plate in front of him with some of the bread and cheese.

  He frowned—or tried to, forgetting that frogs didn’t have the requisite forehead muscles. “Don’t you have anything else?”

  “If you’re going to complain, don’t eat. All the more for me.”

  “But…surely the palace kitchen must have leftovers aplenty?”

  “Indeed it does. What is your point?”

  “No one at my court eats stale bread and cheese with water.”

  Molly leaned back and crossed her arms. “Well, Prince Ribbit—”

  His temper, drastically shortened from a decade of existence as a repulsive amphibian, came to an immediate boil. “Ribbit! Ribbit, is it now?” He slapped the wooden table with his webbed forefoot. “The name is Robert. Prince Robert of Lustrea, and I’ll thank you to remember it!”

  “Your pardon, Prince Robert of Lustrea.” She rolled her eyes. “But how can you be so sure? Have you seen what your servants eat in their chambers?”

  In point of fact, he had not. “What else would one do with leftovers?”

  “Some of the highborn prefer to throw them away,” she muttered.

  “What? But why?”

  “Because they don’t want them given to those who didn’t earn it.”

  Robert didn’t miss the derision in her voice. Nor did he miss the way her eyes flicked over him dismissi
vely, as though he too were one of that miserly class. Uncertainty replaced his irritation. He didn’t care what she thought of others, so long as she didn’t lump him in with them.

  Who cares about her opinion of you? She’s to serve a purpose, a means to an end.

  But somehow it mattered. It was confounding, but he wanted her to think highly of him. “I have my share of flaws, but I assure you, cruelty and stinginess are not—”

  “I have no doubt that you are the very soul of generosity.” She shook the bags. “Thanks ever so much.”

  Impertinent chit. If he hadn’t needed her help, he would’ve scolded her harshly. On the other hand, what was the point of lecturing a woman who wouldn’t be changed? She was obviously too small-minded to accept that she was eating stale bread and cheese out of a misguided perception of How Things Worked. The beauteous Serenia was undoubtedly punishing her, most likely for some insolent remark. But back to the more important matter.

  “About your helping me for the coins…”

  “What of it? You can’t change the price now.”

  “No need for concern. You’ll get the rest after I have accomplished my mission. Within the week.”

  Molly nodded. “So what is it you need help with?”

  “I require a kiss from Princess Serenia. A willing kiss.”

  “A kiss?” She blinked, then burst out laughing. “I see it now. You’re demented.”

  “No. Determined.”

  “Did you fail to mark how she screamed at the sight of you? She abhors frogs.”

  “Not many women care for frogs.” Robert scowled…or tried to. Not that they cared for things like bears or beasts either, but at least those curse-spawn looked powerful and manly. The Wicked Witch had no respect for his royal pride or appearance. “Be that as it may, if what I aimed to accomplish were easy, I wouldn’t have agreed to pay so much.”

  Molly considered. “I suppose you’re right. But why can’t you find somebody who doesn’t mind frogs as much? There are such women out there, you know.”

  “I am a royal prince, and, therefore, require a princess. Not just any princess, but a royal princess. One born of a royal family. The stark reality is that Serenia is the only one available.”

  She snorted. “Well, given that you’re such a rich prince, the best course would be to lure Princess Serenia with three of something golden and pretty. Things that would go well together. In a set, so to speak.”

  “Three? I can gift her with scores of baubles.”

  “She likes to collect things in groups of three. A peculiar fetish, but there it is. You shouldn’t give her all of them at once. Make her work for them. And no matter what, don’t give them to her until she upholds her end of the bargain first. Otherwise you’ll never get what’s been promised.”

  Robert blinked at the shocking directness of the maid’s speech. How dare she call her own princess a liar? Lying, cheating, stealing…these were the kinds of things that the scullery staff did, and only the poorly bred members at that. Serenia was obviously different. Her beauty impressed even him, whose taste was not only impeccable but exacting. Her curls… They’d shone in the morning sun over her slender shoulders like gilded rings, setting off her sky-blue eyes and soft red lips. They had been perfectly arranged, and stayed so even when she’d run screaming at the sight of him. But what impressed him most was the lovely symmetry of her form. He’d never seen anything so fine, and he had met countless of the Fairy Tale World’s most renowned beauties.

  “Thinking better of the idea?” Molly asked.

  “I’m thinking I should be honored you haven’t insisted on the full payment upfront.” No point in scolding the maid for her slander at this point. No one respected his authority in his ridiculous frog form. He could punish her for her insolence after he regained his true body. After all, he’d promised her thousand coins, not perpetual immunity from her infractions. “Anyway, thank you for the advice. Would it be safe to assume that Princess Serenia will take her morning perambulation in the garden at the same time tomorrow?”

  “It would. She is a creature of habit.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Just remember,” Molly said. “Get what’s promised first.”

  III. In Which Our Hero Spies on the Maid

  Molly made her way toward the small cottage she shared with her mother outside the town wall. The sun had set a short while earlier, but she hadn’t been able to leave until Princess Serenia dismissed her.

  Though every muscle in her body ached, Molly couldn’t help but smile at the weight of coin in the small bags hidden among the many pockets of her dress.

  Five hundred gold pieces. More than what she could make in her entire lifetime. When she closed her hands around the other five hundred, she would never have to work for others again. She could buy a house in the country and live well so long as she wasn’t foolish with the money.

  Most importantly, her mother would finally have the kind of life she deserved.

  Suddenly Molly stopped, the fine hairs on the back of her neck rising. She looked around, but didn’t notice anything unusual. Maybe she was just nervous about carrying so much gold.

  Come now, Molly. Nobody knows you have any money with you, and the small bundle of smoked duck you carry is hardly worth the trouble for a would-be thief.

  She forced her shoulders to relax and picked up her pace, reaching the cottage without incident. When she was finally inside, she relaxed against the closed door. The feeling of being spied upon, however, remained.

  “Molly? Is that you?”

  She pushed away and went to her mother, who sat by the fire. “Yes, it’s me.” She held her mother’s frail and bony hand, which squeezed hers with a faint strength.

  “You’re late,” Mother said, her milky eyes searching. Blind though she was, that didn’t mean she couldn’t see what really mattered—the truth. Nothing could obscure her Vision, not even the most powerful magic. She always knew when somebody was lying, a skill many of the highborn valued far above anything else. Molly’s ability to see through curses came from her mother, though she wasn’t able sniff out lies the way her mother could.

  “Sorry. It was very busy today. A prince arrived to court Princess Serenia.” She looked at the wooden plate on the table next to her mother. Only the crumbs remained, which was good. “Would you like some smoked duck?” She knelt by her mother’s chair and unwrapped the small bundle.

  Mother’s face lit up. “How lovely! Yes.” Then it immediately dimmed. “But can we afford it?” Her cheeks hollowed briefly. “What about your dream?”

  “It’s all right,” Molly said. She didn’t want to speak of the gold she got from Robert, not when she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched. “There’s plenty to go around,” she said vaguely.

  “Did it come from the palace? Did Princess Serenia give it to you?”

  “No.” Her mother had seen the princess. She’d never believe Serenia capable of any type of generosity. “Not her. Somebody else.”

  She turned her face toward Molly, then raised her eyebrows. “I see. Please convey my thanks.” She picked up a small slice and chewed it slowly. Her eyelids lowered until only slivers of her eyes showed, while her lips curved upward in bliss.

  Molly clasped her hands together and watched her mother enjoy the duck. The town butcher had given her the most tender fowl he had.

  “By the way, Molly,” her mother said around a mouthful of duck, “Who is that young man behind you?”

  “What?” Molly jumped to her feet and whirled around. “I don’t—” Then she noticed the green frog from earlier. “You!”

  “Hello, Molly.” He took a small hop toward her mother. “And who is this lady?”

  “I’m Molly’s mother. My name is Ether.”

  Molly put a hand over her eyes. She didn’t want Robert to know about her private life. She didn’t want anyone to know much about it. Things were better that way, safer for her and her mother.

  “
Hello, Ether. My name is Robert. Very pleased to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s mine.”

  He eyed her curiously. “Can you see my true form?”

  “Yes. You’re very handsome.” She added, “Tall and manly as well.”

  Molly immediately put herself between her mother and the frog before they could speak more to each other. “How did you find this place?”

  “Quite easily. I merely followed you from the palace—”

  Oh, the gall. “Out! Out now!” When he didn’t move fast enough to suit her, she snatched him from the floor and carried him outside. “Mother, have as much duck as you want. I’ve already eaten my fill.”

  “All right, dear. Thank you.”

  Molly shut the door and tossed Robert on the grass. “How could you spy on me?” she said, glaring at him.

  Robert drew himself up. “Spying? I was watching you rather blatantly.”

  In the moonlight, his true form was clearer. Some spells gained strength in the darkness of night, but this curse seemed to be the opposite. He was stunning, more so than any of the princes or high lords she’d seen during her tenure as Princess Serenia’s maid. Molly could make out the incredible breath of his shoulders and towering height of his powerful frame. Underneath the expensive silk and supple leather, his body was lean, the muscles honed from years of physical exertion. Her cheeks suddenly felt unusually warm. Had she been less experienced and jaded, she might have melted at the sight of him, promised to do anything for him.

  If Princess Serenia could see him like this, she would kiss him in an instant and claim him as her own. How ironic—it was Molly the maid who could see his true form, yet she wasn’t the one he wanted.

  Because she wasn’t royal. Or a princess.

  She put aside the kernel of resentment at his snobbishness. What else had she expected? The highborn were capricious and shallow, not to mention selfish, and royals most of all. What she wanted was the money he had promised, the money that would give her financial freedom and security.

  When she remained quiet, he said, “Hopping along in plain view, I tell you. It’s not my fault you didn’t notice.”