One Kiss Page 7

  “Fit as the proverbial fiddle,” he lied.

  She hesitated, then smiled, her trembling lips pressed tight. “I wish you luck, Robert of Lustrea.”

  “And I thank you for your help, Molly, daughter of Ethel.”

  She hesitated, then nodded once, quickly, and went to Serenia’s side to attend her. He followed, hopping carefully through a forest of skirts and trousers and boots to be closer to her. But he stayed well back from the edge of the crowd. He didn’t want Serenia or John to notice him until the time was right, and his natural camouflage worked against him in this setting.

  “So now you can return to work?” he heard the princess ask immediately.

  Not even a hello first.

  “I am…quite recovered.” While it was no credit upon Molly, it obviously took little in the way of verbal trickery to mislead her princess.

  “Good. We can’t have you out with the flu when there’s so much going on. Jenny’s simply not as good with my hair as you are,” Serenia said.

  “No need to worry, Your Royal Highness. You look stunning today. It must be love,” Molly said.

  While Serenia preened, Molly flicked her gaze Robert’s way, as if she could tell exactly where he was. The grim set of her mouth bothered him. She was unhappy with his refusal to accept her help, but knew it to be for the best. She had a mother who depended upon her. Whatever he did here wouldn’t affect her so long as she remained silent about her role in the whole affair. He didn’t want her hurt.

  Robert made his way among the crowd. No one noticed a lone frog hopping around their feet. Everyone was focused on the golden royal couple rising and stepping into the center of the hall—John and Serenia. He shone like a peacock, resplendent in indigo silk with red and gold trim. Serenia complemented him perfectly with her halo of blonde hair, pink silk and satin.

  The high lords from both kingdoms surrounded them in a tighter circle—Robert recognized many from Lustrea—while Serenia’s parents sat on their thrones, overlooking everyone.

  John went down on one knee and, with a dramatic flourish, produced a ring with a diamond the size of a quail’s egg. People gasped, and Robert could feel his eyes popping out more than usual.

  How on Earth was Serenia supposed to wear that monstrosity?

  John said, “Serenia, my love, my joy, will you make me the happiest prince in the world by accepting my hand in marriage?”

  The hall, quiet to begin with, became completely silent.

  Serenia gazed steadily at the diamond, her eyes bright. “Yes, John,” she murmured. “I will.”

  She raised her hand to John; he dutifully placed the ring upon her finger. A joyous tune from the orchestra in the back swelled throughout the hall. On cue, she waved at the crowd with her left hand, her eyes still fastened upon the enormous gem. Her dimples indented both cheeks as she beamed at the ring.

  Robert shook his head at the spectacle. How could he have ever thought her smile charming? It was about as lovely as the vapid expression on a blank-eyed bust…and one sculpted by a common artist at that.

  Yet everyone cheered, apparently entranced by her beauty. He snorted. When time made her old and cruel and ravaged her face with lines, would people still find her radiant?

  Almost out of habit, he searched for Molly, but couldn’t find her. He frowned. Where could she have gone? Had John ordered his men to take her, now that he was about to get everything he wanted?

  No. She was too resourceful and intelligent, and she was well aware of John’s ill will. Perhaps she’d slipped away to take the rest of her money and run away with her mother. None would miss a maid in the chaos of the ceremony and the feasts to follow.

  A poet in crisp white satin stepped up and said, “Princess Serenia, most stunning, most amazing, sweetest and most honorable—”

  Robert seized the moment. “Don’t be outlandish. She may be the most stunning, but she is definitely not honorable.”

  The music went into disarray and then died. There was again complete silence, not even a whisper in the hall. It was so quiet, Robert could hear his own heart beat.

  The poet looked around and sputtered. “Wh-who dares—”

  “It is I!” Robert leapt into the center of the hall, revealing himself to all. “Fair though she may be, Princess Serenia is anything but honorable. She broke a sworn vow to me five days ago, and further, attempted to murder me to cover up her crime!”

  “I did not!” Serenia cried, crimson spots on her cheeks. “How dare you!”

  “Really? Then tell us all. Did you accept a matched set of three golden orbs from me?”

  “Most certainly not.”

  “Are you denying that you traded this handkerchief for one of them?” Robert ripped the handkerchief from around his neck and tossed it on the floor.

  Serenia stared at it for a moment, then recovered herself. “If there were three golden orbs, how is it you only have one item, frog?”

  “Conversation was exchanged for the first. Of course, you and I both know you didn’t say much.”

  “It’s not my fault you talk about boring things!” Serenia said. “Who cares about politics?”

  “Precisely. That’s what princes are for,” John added in support.

  “As for the handkerchief, it is now clear that you stole it…to frame me!” Serenia said, pointing a finger dramatically.

  Robert rolled his eyes. Couldn’t she tell that she’d given herself away already?

  John smiled coolly. “I believe my fiancée is correct. You are a thieving frog.”

  “Quiet, John. It’d serve you right to marry such an abominable woman, but I shall spare you that fate.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Serenia said triumphantly. “You have but one item, yet claim that you gave three. So obviously it is you who has no honor.”

  “A kiss was the price for the third ball, but you took the ball and kicked me so hard I hit my head and nearly died.” Robert glared at her. “This, after vowing on your honor to bestow the kiss.”

  One of the high lords from Lustrea stared at Robert. “It is most mystifying. You sound just like Prince Robert, yet you are clearly a frog.”

  Shocked, Robert stared at the high lord. Could the Lustreans recognize him solely from his voice? A tiny ray of hope appeared. Perhaps things would yet work out. Well…to some extent, as the curse would remain without the kiss. “You are correct, Lord Kelsey. I am Robert of Lustrea.”

  Another lord said, “How can we be sure? The prince disappeared years ago. I’ve forgotten what his voice was like.”

  “I was cursed,” Robert explained. “Surely there must be others among you who remember me. You, Viscount? Or you, Lord Sirran?”

  “Don’t listen to that charlatan! He certainly is not my cousin!” John cried, addressing the high lords. “He is an evil wizard, trying to trick the princess into kissing him, so that she will be bewitched into marrying him instead. In this underhanded manner he can become a prince by marriage, perhaps to take over this kingdom.” He put a hand delicately to his chest. “Lords, my beloved cousin Robert, rest his soul, is dead. If he weren’t, he would’ve returned to us by now to claim what is rightfully his. It breaks my heart, but as the next heir my duty is clear. I must accept the crown, willingly though I would give it up if only I could see my dear cousin returned to us safe and healthy.”

  “I’m not dead!” Robert started hopping in anger then stopped—drat the frog habit. Did the high lords really buy his cousin’s ridiculous act? Did they truly believe him dead without any evidence? “If Serenia had been an honorable woman, my curse could have been undone, and I would stand before you all as a man once again. But she is not, so the point is now moot. Still, will you accept me as I am and allow me to inherit?”

  The high lords shifted, unable to meet his gaze. “Ahem.” An old duke cleared his throat. “Difficult, inasmuch as we cannot be sure that you are indeed Prince Robert. Sir Frog, would you allow yourself to be governed by a cricket of uncertain origin? How
can we let some amphibian we know nothing about rule over us?”

  The others murmured agreement, though they still avoided making eye contact with Robert.

  He pressed his lips, swallowing a rant about their shallow nature. He had expected this would be their reaction, but witnessing it in reality was far worse than the imagining. Had he truly been foolish enough to hope that the high lords would be wiser and more farseeing, like Molly?

  “He is not Prince Robert,” Serenia said finally, fluttering her eyelashes at the high lords. “As the good Prince John has said, he is a foul black wizard intent on dividing us. Let us not be foolish.”

  “It is but his word against the princess’s and mine,” John said. “He doesn’t even have a witness to take his side.” John looked around challengingly. When no one stepped forward, he laughed and spread his hands. “You see? So the matter can be closed, and we ought to punish this frog for its impudence. What is the sentence for insulting the royal house?”

  A royal secretariat stepped forward smartly. “Death by hanging.”

  “Well, then. Death by hanging it is,” John said, his eyes glittering with triumph.

  “So you would kill me, cousin?” Robert said. A part of him wanted to flee and save himself, but the reckless part of him wanted to confront these idiots. If he were to lose everything—his crown, his human form, his dignity and reputation—was there really any reason to live?

  “He has no cousin like you.” Serenia sniffed, then lowered her voice. “Finally, I’ll be rid of you, you disgusting talking frog. What woman in her right mind would kiss a foul reptile?”

  “Actually, frogs are amphibians,” came the clear voice of Molly.

  Robert’s heart skipped a beat. No, Molly.

  “And you did promise to kiss him for the third ball.” She held out her hands. In them were the three golden orbs, each of surpassing beauty. Molly came and stood by Robert. “I found them in your room, Princess Serenia.”

  The old duke stretched his neck, trying to see over the younger and taller lords around him. When they didn’t move out of the way, he smacked their knees smartly with his cane, making them step aside with cries of pain. The quicker ones moved out of the way with alacrity. Satisfied, the duke peered at the spheres in Molly’s hands. “Aye, those are indeed Prince Robert’s,” the old duke said finally. “There cannot be three more like them in all the world.”

  “Obviously, the frog stole them from the prince!” Serenia shrilled.

  The duke stiffened. “But—”

  “There is no but! Arrest the frog now!” Then Serenia faced Molly. “And you. You’ll pay for your impudence.” She gestured to the porcupines. “Arrest that one too!”

  Their paws tight around their swagger sticks, the porcupines rushed out and surrounded Robert and Molly. The quills on the rodents vibrated, as they were wont to do when faced with danger.

  Robert looked reproachfully at Molly. “You were supposed to keep silent.”

  “I promised to help you, remember?”

  “But what about your mother?” he whispered.

  “I gave her the all the coins and told her to hide before we left home. She’ll be all right.”

  “And you?”

  “I have to do what is right. I cannot stand by while you are accused of lying, cheating and stealing, when it was the princess who did all those things and more.”

  Robert closed his eyes. Why must he be stuck with a disobedient maid with an excess of honor? A lowborn should act like a lowborn and care only about her own security.

  But if she’d done what you expected, would you have cared for her at all?

  No. If she’d been everything he’d expected, he would’ve never felt this kind of fear for her, this intense need to protect her.

  If he could keep her safe, he’d slay a dragon in his current form, he’d—

  He blinked, suddenly unable to breathe. Was this… Could it be…?

  By all the gods, he loved her. He, Robert, Prince of the blood, Scion of Lustrea and Heir to the Throne, was in love with…a maid.

  His limbs went slack, his jaw loose. How… When…?

  “Now that the criminals are properly under arrest,” Serenia began, “let us punish them, starting with my traitorous maid.”

  Robert snapped back to reality. Molly was glaring at the princess, showing not an iota of fear. Pride and love filled his heart until he thought it might burst.

  “Since you seem to believe that a sane, reasonable person would promise to kiss a frog of her own volition, why don’t we start with that, hmm?” Serenia waved at the porcupines. “Seize the maid and that, that…amphibian!”

  Robert leapt and evaded the grabby paws. The one good thing about the curse was that it made him extremely difficult to catch.

  “Stop hopping or we’ll stab her!” one of the porcupines said, a long sharp quill in his hand. The tip of the spine pricked Molly’s tender neck; blood beaded instantly.

  “Don’t hurt her.” Robert stopped evading the porcupines. They immediately grabbed him, their grip tighter than necessary.

  “I’m so sorry, Robert.” Molly sobbed.

  “How touching.” Serenia pursed her mouth. “Still, you shouldn’t have committed the crime if you didn’t want to suffer the consequences.” She turned to the porcupines holding Robert. “Take him to my maid. Make her kiss him, with her own lips.” She smiled with pure malice. “That’s just the first of the many punishments I have in mind for you, Molly. I still cannot believe I let someone as base and treacherous as you near me.” She started to shake badly, her reaction too exaggerated to be natural. “I do believe I feel faint.”

  John stepped closer to her. “My love, allow me.” He put an arm around her shoulders, then gestured at the porcupines. “Get on with it. We have a celebratory banquet to attend.”

  The porcupines shoved Robert over to Molly, then pushed their faces together. They had little finesse, and Robert thought he might snap in half as the pressure from their paws pushed him to Molly’s soft mouth. Like princess, like rodent. Molly’s lips squashed against his face with more force than he expected.

  Then he felt himself drop. He hit the marble floor, suddenly in agony throughout his entire body.

  His skin was raw and his jaw felt loose. All his joints burned, as if he’d run for leagues without stopping. He couldn’t even cry out as his muscles twisted. If this was death, he refused to accept it. No, he had to live and find a way to take Molly away from this horrid place, keep her safe. But the pain overwhelmed him, doubling him over and blackening his vision. He panted, hands clenched, but couldn’t seem to draw enough air. How could he come this far and find the one woman he valued above everything—even undoing his curse—just to writhe helplessly…?

  Fairy Godmother, it’s about time you popped in. I don’t care what happens to me. But Molly needs protection.

  He hadn’t even told her how he felt.

  Forgive me, Molly.

  * * *

  The porcupines’ grip on Molly’s arms slackened and they took several steps back. She stared at the figure before her. She’d known what Robert truly looked like, but the reality was beyond what she’d been able to see with her gift.

  Exquisite silk of the deepest royal blue clothed his crouching form. When he at last looked up, glossy black hair topped a handsome face that would’ve been overly pretty if it hadn’t been for the harsh angles of his cheekbones and a heavy, masculine jaw line.

  “Prince Robert!” the old duke from Lustrea cried.

  “That’s Prince Robert?” Serenia said, her mouth hanging open.

  Panting, Robert blinked, then looked down at himself. Even with his dark brows knitted in confusion, he was too magnificent, too wonderful, too royal.

  Molly’s heart beat erratically, her face hot. She felt as though she might need to lie down for a bit.

  He slowly unfolded his legs and stood to his full height. He took an unsteady step toward Molly.

  “Wait!” Pri
ncess Serenia said, running toward Robert. “You’re the one I want.” She wrapped herself around his arm. “My previous engagement is hereby annulled.”

  He stared at her, then cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon, but you’re wearing John’s ring.”

  She yanked the ring off her finger and tossed it away. It hit the floor with a ping and rolled off. “There.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t believe that changes anything. You did accept his proposal.”

  “I just unaccepted it.”

  “What?” Prince John yelled.

  “Do hush,” Princess Serenia said. She turned to Robert. “I’m claiming you as my husband.”

  “Why in the world would you want me as your husband?” Robert asked, befuddled.

  She looked at him quizzically. “Because you’re more handsome than John, of course. I deserve only the best. I am a royal princess.”

  He tried to pull his arm away from Serenia. “Have you no shame? You tried to have me killed several times. You even lied to obtain my treasures without paying your side of the bargain.”

  “Not true!” She held his arm fast and stomped a pink-slippered foot. “You should be grateful.”

  Molly couldn’t bear to watch the spectacle any longer. Princess Serenia always, always got what she wanted, and Robert had said he needed a royal princess, not simply to undo his curse, but also to marry. It was a matter of time until she wore him down.

  Sharp pain robbed her of breath, as layers of cynicism disguised as practicality peeled away from her heart. If she could have held onto even the flimsiest bit of the protective barrier, it wouldn’t hurt as much.

  She backed slowly away through the crowd, keeping her eyes on Robert. He looked so magnificent in the hall, even in confusion. Molly had seen many princes during her tenure as Princess Serenia’s maid, and none had ever matched Robert. She knew she would never forget the sight, now etched forever on the very core of her being.

  Finally she turned away. As happy as she was for Robert’s good fortune, she had to think about herself and her mother now. Princess Serenia was preoccupied at the moment—thank goodness she was easily distracted—but that didn’t mean she would forgive Molly for embarrassing her in front of everyone. Molly had to flee the kingdom before anybody remembered her and her punishment.