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  Anger, disgust and disappointment entwined around Molly as she imagined the spoiled princess snaring Robert. That it would happen, she had no doubt. Serenia invariably got her way in the end.

  Molly shook her head, annoyed with herself. What happened between the princess and Robert was none of Molly’s business. He’d always made it clear he needed a royal princess, and despite her faults, Princess Serenia was…well…a royal princess. From the beginning, what Molly had had with Robert was a business arrangement. She helped him; he paid her. Since he regained his true form, she could take his money without any niggling sense of discomfiture.

  So why was she so miserable?

  * * *

  “Grateful?” Robert blinked. He had to have been teleported into an asylum. He wouldn’t put it past the Wicked Witch, and there was no other explanation for the utter madness coming out of Serenia’s mouth. “Why should I be grateful to you?”

  “I undid your curse.”

  “You did?”

  “Can you have forgotten already? I had my maid kiss you.”

  “No. You were supposed to kiss me.” He shuddered at the idea, his stomach suddenly queasy, and finally managed to yank his arm from Serenia’s grasping hands. “Fortunately you changed your mind about that.”

  “Exactly. And that’s why I had my maid kiss you, to help you. Can’t you see?”

  “As I recall, that was to punish Molly.”

  She pouted. “You do me an injustice, good Prince. I was trying to help you.”

  “No, you punted me half clear of the garden, and just a moment ago you were planning to execute me. Death by hanging, wasn’t it?”

  “That was John.” She fluttered her eyelashes, doing her best to be charming. Somehow, it didn’t have the desired effect. Her dimples now repulsed him. So did her shining hair, which she was busily tossing over a shoulder in a calculated way. “Come now. Since I undid your curse, you really must marry me.”

  “I refuse. You can have John—exactly who you deserve.”

  “Don’t be silly—”

  “She’s right,” came a snake-slithery voice.

  Cold ran its finger down Robert’s spine. Not again.

  The crowd turned as a raven-haired woman strode inside. Despite her slight height and frame, she commanded attention like a wildfire, dangerous and unpredictable, and the crowd moved aside for her. A green dress with a tight bodice and a long skirt deepened her eyes to the finest emerald. She stopped, facing Serenia. Despite the air of danger, she was far fairer and more luminous than the golden princess.

  “Who are you?” Serenia demanded.

  Robert winced. That was precisely the kind of tone to avoid if a person wished to remain uncursed.

  “Me?” The woman smiled, her soft pink lips curving ever so slightly.

  His shoulders tensed. Whenever she smiled like that, something nasty happened.

  “I’m known as the Wicked Witch,” she said.

  Serenia frowned. “You aren’t on the guest list.”

  “Precisely.” The smile vanished. “You didn’t invite me. And I see that you have undone my curse.”

  “I did not.”

  “Ah, but you did. I heard you take credit for it.” The Wicked Witch turned to Robert. “Isn’t this true?”

  “Yes, godmother,” he answered dutifully in what he hoped was a sufficiently respectful tone.

  “Wait, are you the Fairy Godmother?” Serenia asked, her hands opening and closing of their own accord.

  Best not to even think about it, Princess. She won’t give you anything nice.

  The Wicked Witch rolled her eyes. “No, that’s my sister. Pray don’t confuse us; we are nothing alike.”

  “But he called you godmother.”

  “Because I am his godmother. Just not a fairy.” The Wicked Witch spun around, her hard unblinking eyes taking in everyone.

  People shrank back. The old duke from Lustrea stumbled and fell, while his duchess fainted—rather conveniently—into the arms of a handsome knight next to her. Sweat beaded on John’s hairline, but he stood still in his spot.

  “The princess has claimed credit for undoing my spell,” she said silkily. “Might there have been another who helped?”

  Heads shook all around the hall. John took a step forward. “I tried to stop her.”

  “Shh! That’s not an answer to the question asked.” The Wicked Witch raised her right index finger, and John’s mouth disappeared. “Better. You always did annoy me with your sniveling.” She turned to Serenia. “Now for the two insults you’ve dealt me this day, I’ll turn you into a frog.”

  “What?” Serenia screamed.

  “A mute frog.” The Wicked Witch snapped her fingers.

  With a puff of smoke, Serenia’s dress collapsed into a heap of silk and lace. Something about a foot in diameter squirmed under all the pink.

  What finally struggled out from underneath was an enormous toad with yellow, green and brown skin and an exceptionally large mouth.

  Gasps rose from the crowd.

  Robert stared.

  “A marvelous creature, this toad,” the Wicked Witch said, her tone light. “It can’t eat anything except other toads. A cannibal, if you will. Quite fitting, given Serenia’s temperament.” She laid a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “What do you think, godson?”

  “Quite astounding,” he said automatically. What else could he say that wouldn’t annoy her?

  “It’ll be a while before some silly chap undoes her curse. I’m sure John here would try, but unfortunately he lacks lips at the moment.” The Wicked Witch studied her handiwork. “I imagine the experience will build character. If she is capable. It’s difficult to say for certain. Some are not.”

  Though Serenia was a terrible princess, Robert felt a tinge of pity for her. His godmother never put a curse that could be undone easily. Someone should’ve told Serenia not inviting the Wicked Witch to a party meant disaster. She must have heard about what happened to Princess Isabelle: cursed to sleep for eternity, and all because her parents forgot to invite the Wicked Witch to the christening.

  “Let us celebrate!” the Wicked Witch said, addressing the crowd. “No sense wasting all this food and wine. I know I’ve worked up quite an appetite.” She started toward the banquet hall, and everyone marched behind her dutifully, lest they too be turned into toads…or worse.

  “Molly, we should—” Robert turned toward the spot where Molly had been just a bit earlier. Only the porcupines stood around, their paws fiddling with swagger sticks.

  “Where is the maid?” he asked.

  They shrugged. “We didn’t pay attention since she wasn’t a criminal any longer,” one of them said.

  He cursed under his breath.

  “I think she took her leave,” another porcupine said.

  “Are we supposed to go to the party?” a third one asked. “I’m pretty sure we aren’t to consort with the Wicked Witch, especially if we want to apply for the opening at Fairy Godmother’s court.”

  “Do what you will,” Robert said. “Just remember, my godmother may turn the lot of you into toads if you displease her.”

  The porcupines flinched, then trundled off toward the banquet. Being blacklisted at Fairy Godmother’s court was far preferable to becoming a toad.

  Robert spun and ran the opposite way. He had to find Molly.

  VIII. In Which the Hero Wins the Woman of Worth

  Molly ran to her cottage as quickly as she could. Her heart beat fast, and she thought it might explode from the exertion.

  She pushed the cottage door open, gulping in air, and ran smack into her mother.

  “Molly. You’re back.” Mother beamed.

  “We have to leave.”

  “What? Now? Why? You’re back home.” Mother tilted her head. “Everything ended well, didn’t it? I had a good feeling about you and Robert this morning.”

  “I can’t explain right now,” Molly said. “Did you take out the coin bags?”

  “N
o, not yet.”

  Molly ran to her bed. She ran her hand underneath the mattress until she found the five bags of gold coins. “It’s very similar,” she continued, “to what happened earlier.”

  The color drained from her mother’s face.

  “In fact, this time things may be worse. I fear I’ve angered the princess.” Molly winced, feeling guilty that what she’d done had ended up affecting her mother after all.

  “She’s a terrible woman. Not fit to be princess at all.”

  “Shh!” Molly looked around furtively in case one of the porcupines had followed her home. She didn’t want Princess Serenia to punish her mother as well. Who knew how much time she had before guards arrived to drag her back to the palace?

  “Where’s Robert?”

  Molly put the bags in her pockets and glanced around the cottage. There was no time to take anything, and she had enough money to replace everything later. “At the palace.” She took her mother’s hand and started walking. Her mother moved well. Though she was blind, her gift allowed her to see the true essence of everything around her, and she’d managed to adapt. “His curse has been lifted.”

  “Excellent. I’m happy for him.”

  “Me too.” And he’s going to marry Princess Serenia. Molly cringed at how petty her thought was. She’d always considered herself better than this, and jealousy never benefitted anyone.

  It was time she forgot about Robert. He wasn’t the man for her. The sharp pang in her heart would ease with time—perhaps a month or two. He was a prince—soon to be the king of Lustrea. They had nothing in common, no reason to see each other ever again.

  On the way to a suitable new town, one far away, Molly would locate the treasures Robert had spoken of and claim the rest of the thousand gold coins he’d promised her. Though he’d encouraged her to take them all, she couldn’t, not when he had been returned to his true form and would probably—

  A strong hand wrapped around her upper arm. “Molly!”

  She looked up. “Rob—I mean, Your Royal Highness. What are you doing here?”

  His brows pinched into a frown. “No need for formalities. We are past that.”

  “Why aren’t you at the palace? Aren’t you marrying Princess Serenia?”

  He shuddered. “I certainly hope not. She is presently a toad.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You don’t say.”

  “I do say.” He bowed politely to her mother. “Madam, have I your leave to take your daughter for a short stroll?”

  Her mother smiled. “Of course, dear Robert. By the way, you seem much better than before. Your injuries must be healed.”

  The comment drew him up short. “I didn’t realize during all the commotion, but you’re right. I’m not hurting anymore.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. Well, don’t take too long. We need to resume our journey soon.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Molly watched the exchange between her mother and Robert. He didn’t have to call her mother “ma’am.” His true identity had been revealed: a royal prince. It was her mother who should be curtsying and addressing him as “Your Royal Highness.”

  He helped her mother to a public bench along the road, then offered his arm to Molly. She put her hand inside his elbow, feeling like she was in a dream. It was the same motion Princess Serenia performed all the time with her suitors.

  The muscles underneath her hand were warm and solid. Robert smelled of pine and dark spices, and for some crazy reason, she wanted to rest her head on his shoulder.

  Silly girl. Control yourself!

  As they walked in a field not too far from where her mother sat, he told Molly what had happened after her flight from the palace.

  “Well,” she said. “I suppose this means we don’t have to leave.”

  “No, you do not.” He paused. “But I was hoping that you, at least, would want to.”

  “Actually I don’t. Well, not right at the moment, anyway,” she said, unsure where the conversation was headed. “I’m glad things have worked out for you. My mother and I are very comfortable where we are. The neighbors don’t know anything about what happened to us in our previous village, and they’re kind to my mother. The only reason for leaving was that I no longer wanted to be subject to Princess Serenia, but if she’s a toad, well… Of course, we may move eventually since my mother loves to garden, and ours is rather small, the soil poor. With the money—”

  He put a finger to her lips.

  Her cheeks warmed. Suddenly embarrassed, she stopped. “Sorry, I’m babbling.”

  “Molly, I must return to Lustrea as soon as possible.”

  “I will miss you.” She forced a sunny smile. “But I think you’ll make a wonderful king.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “What is it that I’m not understanding?”

  He pulled away suddenly and started pacing.

  She hugged herself. She felt alone and bereft without him next to her. If he was trying to say goodbye, he should just say it and be done. Or was he trying to find a better—more clever—way to bid her farewell?

  He stopped short and fell to one knee. “I wanted to do this right, with proper ceremony, but I’m afraid it’s not possible given the time constraint. I give you my oath I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

  Tremors ran through her body, and her mouth suddenly felt dry as parchment. “Robert,” she said faintly, “What are you doing?”

  “Will you come with me to Lustrea?” he asked. “Your mother as well. I think she’ll enjoy the palace. It’s large and warm in the winter. She can have one of the gardens—or all of them—if she so wishes.”

  “You’ve been generous en—”

  “I don’t want your gratitude, Molly,” he said tautly. “I want your love. I’m asking you to be my wife.”

  She blinked. When she opened her mouth to speak, nothing but a little peep came out. She cleared her throat. “You can’t. Didn’t you say you have to marry a royal princess?”

  He shook his head. “That was my pride. My curse could only be broken by a kiss willingly given by a woman of worth. Because I am a prince I thought it would have to be a royal princess.”

  Molly gazed at him.

  “But you needn’t be a princess to be a woman of worth…as I have learned these past days.” He kissed Molly’s hand. “You’re worth a score—no, a hundred—like Serenia. You’ll make a good and wise queen, the kind of queen my people deserve, the kind of queen I’ve always dreamed of.”

  She swallowed a big lump. Her vision blurred.

  “Molly. Will you marry me?”

  She started to shake. She wanted to, terribly, but fear kept her mute and unable to respond. How could she measure up to all the nobles and royals?

  “I love you.”

  The three words smashed her fears, incinerated her doubts.

  Trembling, she dropped to her knees so she could be level with him. “Yes, Robert. And this is for the kiss I never got to properly give you.” She took his face between her hands and pressed her lips against his.

  He responded instantly, his firm sensual mouth meeting hers. Feeling like a blossoming orchid, she melted into him, holding onto his beloved face to anchor her. Her palms tingled against the abrasive hint of beard on his jaw, and the delicate desperation of the kiss sent streaks of heat all through her. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, his thumbs against her erratic pulse points. There was so much strength in his large hands, but also restraint and control. She flushed, her stomach fluttering.

  She wanted this. She wanted Robert.

  I love you. I cherish you. Come with me. Stay with me.

  How could a simple kiss convey so much? How could it touch her so much more deeply than a passionate sonnet or honeyed words?

  Finally he broke away, his rough breath fanning against her cheek. “We…shouldn’t continue. Your mother is waiting, and this is neither the time nor the place.”

  She nodded, resting her forehead against his
, and licked her lips, secretly thrilled with the lingering taste of him. “A field in full view of the townspeople might present some complications.” She looked into his eyes, which were bright with adoration. “But I believe this is the time and place for me to tell you I love you.”

  …and they lived happily ever after.

  Thank You

  Thank you for reading One Kiss. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, I’d love it if you would take a moment and write a review to help other readers discover this book.

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  Thank you for your support! I really appreciate it!

  Author’s Note

  When I was growing up, I read tons of fairy tales from the West as well as Asia. But out of all of them, the one I disliked the most was The Frog Prince. I found it to be the least well-constructed and told, probably because it offended my sense of how a happy ending should work.

  In multiple versions, the princess receives a frog’s help to retrieve her treasured golden ball. In return, she is supposed to let the frog live with her, eat from her plate and sleep on her bed. But when it’s her turn to honor her promise to the frog, she refuses. It’s her father who forces her to keep her word. Therefore, she grudgingly allows the frog to live with her, eat from her plate and sleep on her bed, all the while loathing the frog and the fact she has to keep her end of the bargain.

  After three nights, the curse is finally broken, and the frog becomes a handsome prince. Only then does she marry him with joy and go to his kingdom to rule the realm with him side-by-side.

  I actually thought the princess was a horrible human being for not wanting to honor her promise, just because it was to a frog. She seemed spoiled and rude, and I was never convinced that she had learned her lesson or that she’d never lie to others to get what she wanted again. Frankly, I thought she should’ve been punished for her dishonesty and shallow nature.