Frog Tale (13 page)

Heavy footsteps entered the room, and she glanced away from Ella toward her father and King Mario who had arrived with Luc. Immediately, the man she loved crossed the floor to her and she cast him a leveled look. He frowned slightly when his hand lifted to touch her and she stepped back with a forced smile.

With every ounce of strength, she struggled to remain calm. The queen studied her every move and she glanced to her father. “Where are mom and my sisters?” Even her voice had become unrecognizable and she came across less than well.

“Oh she is talking to Georgina and Ronald while they wait for Stella to arrive.” His expression turned thoughtful then his brows dipped. “You’re pale. Your mother mentioned you didn’t go shopping with her and the queen today.”

“I had work, to do.” She swallowed hard and bit back the pain starting to form in her chest.

“Your father is right you are pale.” Luc sounded worried, but she didn’t dare bring her gaze to meet his in fear of him touching her.

“We just came to collect my wife.” Mario crossed over to Ella who took his arm. “My son would like a word with you alone for a moment.”

Her heart slammed to stop and grief and anxiety tackled her nerves in a death grip. She stepped around Luc and glanced toward the threshold where her father had departed. Mario and Ella exited the room and she glanced back and stared at Chloe. “Remember what I said.” Her gaze narrowed and her eyes changed color.

Beneath the length of her gown, her knees weakened and her blood froze from the steely gaze of crimson color. The queen walked out of view and Chloe pivoted on her heel and glanced at Luc. He had his back to her, but finally turned and met her gaze, missing Ella’s eyes change color.

A worried expression crossed his face and he shook his head. “You really are pale, are you sure you’re not getting sick?” A strong hand reached for her and she averted contact by again stepping back.

Pain tightened her chest as a confused and hurt look crossed his handsome features. “Please don’t touch me.” Her voice was soft and she barely recognized the sound as her own.

He shot a glance to the door then frowned. “What happened with Ella?” His tone became terse and displeasure wasn’t hard to miss.

“Nothing.” Her heart pierced from the bold face lie, but terror seized her soul. She longed to tell him the truth but Ella’s threat echoed in her mind.

He didn’t look happy but finally he nodded once. “Okay, that’s fair. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

I’ll never be ready.

Everything about her current situation had become completely unfair. If she gave into her heart she risked everyone she loved. If she lied to Luc, she could save him and ruin everything she had ever dreamed. “I have nothing to say where Ella is concerned.”

“Please tell me why you won’t let me touch you.” The hurt in his baritone wasn’t hard to miss.

She closed her eyes and struggled, mustering every ounce of energy not to fall against his chest and savor the love and safety of his arms wrapped around her. Giving into her needs would result in the worse consequences, so she had only one option. “I was wrong.” Her voice came out a mere whisper as she opened her eyes.

The expression on his face became unreadable. “About what?”

Fierce pricks attacked behind her eyes and the urge to cry overwhelmed her. She couldn’t though, and had to remain strong and definite in what she was about to do or Luc would know the words about to leave her mouth were part of the biggest deception ever told. “Us.” The knowledge she would save him by her next words did nothing to ease the fact she was about to destroy her heart and his in the process. “I was wrong about us, and the way I felt.”

His eyes closed then opened.

Not allowing him to say anything that would break her resolve or demolish her composure, she continued. “I really am not in love with you, but had time to think today and realized I was in love with the romantic notion of loving a prince, filling the role described in fairy tales.”

“I don’t believe you.” Agony coated every word and by the sudden expression, she knew he was hurting.

“Please believe me. I think it would be pointless for you to stay after your parents go back.”

“You mean my father and stepmother.”

Tears were close to the surface. “It doesn’t matter to me who Ella is to you or how you perceive her. I think for the rest of your visit, it would be best if we just stayed away from each other.”

“Chloe!” His confident manner now gone, the pain in his voice oozed over her spine and guilt plagued her. He stepped toward her and the dam holding back her tears broke. Grief swallowed her spirit.

“Tell my father I won’t be at dinner. Actually, tell him I won’t be back tonight. It was nice meeting you, Prince Luciano.” She spun on the heel of her shoe and ran out of drawing room.

Luc called her name again, but she already reached the top of the stairs. Watery grief rushed down her cheeks in hot tracks and she ran into her room grabbed her purse. She remembered Luc had her other set of keys but couldn't worry about that right now. How she didn’t trip from the blur in her eyes, remained a mystery. Her hand touched the cold knob and she pulled open the door.

“Chloe, please talk to me.” Luc demanded as he stood there with her dad and King Mario.

She blinked, sending more hot tears over her lashes to her cheek. “There is nothing to say Luc. I was nothing
but a fool.” Even now, Ella’s words of threat echoed in her mind, the cost to disobey too pricey. “Good bye.”

Chloe shut the door, hurried over to her car, climbed in and started the car without a second thought. Tires squealed as she pulled out of the drive and her heart ached. From her rear view mirror, the image of her dad standing on the threshold of their mansion reflected back to her and she glanced away. Terror had her not thinking, but she couldn’t tell Luc the truth, she couldn’t tell anyone and would look like a complete bitch after this just to keep him and her family safe. Nausea rolled over her stomach and she sniffled and sobbed, heading toward the center of Beverly Hills.

Luc had retired to his bedroom, after apologizing
that he wouldn’t be at dinner and started to pack. He had already informed his father to have the jet ready since he was leaving tonight. He stood now staring at the suitcase and shook his head. The velour box he had picked up earlier that day sat on top of his clothes and he rocked on the heels of his shoes. A heavy weight sat on his chest and his thoughts were as scattered as the shards of his heart. He removed his hands from his pockets, reached for the soft velour and opened the box. There inside the satin safety blinked back the engagement ring he’d wanted to give Chloe, instead she broke his heart and ran away as if he were nothing.

Nothing.

The words that left her full lips telling him she didn’t love him had killed part of his soul and he knew in a couple weeks that he would be doomed to his curse. Again, he would be frog. The notation didn’t bother him as much as living without Chloe did.

A knock came at his door and he knew it was either Albert or his father. Right now, he didn’t want to talk. Luc wanted to be alone to hurt and come to grips with his now sealed fate. However, he couldn’t be rude. “Come in.”

He closed the lid on the elaborate ring as the door opened. “Are you doing okay?” Albert asked and stepped over to where he stood.

He met the man’s gaze and knew he wasn’t alone when he noticed his dad standing next to his friend. He bounced his look between his father and Albert. “I should have known both of you would come up.”

“You’re like a son to me,” Albert assured. “What happened with Chloe?”

“She said she doesn’t love me.” Even as he said the words aloud, he couldn’t believe them.

Albert frowned. “Impossible, Luc, she…” He glanced at Mario who shook his head then met Luc’s gaze.

“Don’t believe it.” His dad’s expression grew solemn. “The woman I saw with you last night left no doubt in my mind she loves you.”

Albert made a click sound with his tongue. “I don’t understand what would have her act like she did tonight. She almost came across as scared and upset.”

Scared.

The single word chafed his spirit as if a clue.

She was talking to Ella before we came in.

He shook his head, but for some odd reason something didn’t sit right about the situation. Could Ella be responsible? He glanced at his father. “Why did you marry Ella so quickly after mom died?”

His father narrowed his gaze. “A king needs to have a queen, she just appeared one day and I don’t know, I guess she seemed like a good choice.” His mouth curved into a frown. “Why do you ask?”

He didn’t know what to say. “Just curious.” However the more he thought about Chloe’s behavior a part of him held a small shard of hope, maybe there was more than what she had let on. The question remained.

What didn’t he know?

Chloe closed the book in her hand and lifted her gaze to the light glow of her desk lamp. Even now, a couple weeks later, inhaling and exhaling hurt her chest and her heart ached for Luc. She glanced to the digital clock on the black phone on the top of her desk and after working out the time difference knew he was already into his morning. Every ounce of her body longed to pick up the phone and tell him the truth. Most of all tell him how much she loved him.

If you tell him, you will have sentenced him to death.

The voice of reason did little to comfort her and she knew she couldn’t speak to him and risk everything. Never would she forget the expression of grief on his handsome face. He on the other hand never fully witnessed the tears she’d shed over letting him go or the countless nights since she had shattered their hearts, she had cried herself to sleep. Forever she would love him and long for him, maybe the day would come and she would not only forgive herself for lying to him, but for deeply hurting him the way she had.

“I didn’t have a choice, Luc.” She whispered and glanced to the front of the old hard cover book in her hands. Over a hundred years old, and as expensive as what some people made in a month of working, she held one of the most extensive books on dark magic. She placed the book down and wondered about what she had read.

Some of the contents still chilled her down to the blood in her veins. Between the heavily bound pages laid lore and superstitions, curses and of course the lineage of darkness reaching into the Middle Ages. Some people proclaimed the ideas hogwash. Those people obviously didn’t experience life-like terrors every time they closed their eyes. She rose from the chair, again thinking of Luc and shivered as images of her worst nightmares flashes through her mind.

“When don’t I think of you?” Her fingers reached to the picture of them on her bookcase and caressed the glass. The picture taken only two weeks ago when they had spent the day together, now the sunny day seemed a lifetime ago. Her lashes closed, her head hung in defeat and the familiar piercing behind her eyes started. Tears were
imminent―they always were. She muffled a sob not wanting to cry anymore.

“What are you doing to yourself?” Her father’s voice startled her and she glanced to the door.

“I didn’t hear you knock,” she whispered and brushed the few renegade drops that had formed on her lashes away.

He sighed heavy and shut the door, then crossed the floor over to where she stood. “I didn’t knock. I thought you’d fallen asleep with the light on. At least I hoped you had. You rarely sleep anymore.”

She shook her head. “I have a lot on my mind.” Swallowing hard, she tried to camouflage the hurt wrecking havoc on her body and soul.

He glanced to her desk and his attention fell on the book she’d just finished. “Not exactly light reading before bed, did you ever think for a moment your choice of books may be interfering with your sleep?” His gaze focused back on her and she wondered where this conversation headed.

“No.” She hoped the short and to the point answer would deter him from further questions.

“
I see.” By his tone, she knew he wasn’t convinced.

Sniffling, she had a strong suspicion her father wanted answers to her behavior over the last two weeks. He knew better than to ask at the time she had said her good bye, but knowing her father the way she did, he undoubtedly figured the time had arrived to discuss things.

“Chloe, you’re becoming that angry and locked up teenager again. What the hell is going on? Don’t tell me nothing because I know you better than I know Stella and Georgina put together.”

What could she say? She couldn’t risk Luc or her family’s safety. “Dad, really
, I’ll be fine.”

He shook his head. “No, you’re not fine. Call Luc, work things out with him. I know you miss him.”

Fear stabbed her. “I can’t. Talking to him isn’t an option. Not even for business. I told you I refuse to deal with him and talking to the king is just too painful right now.”

“
Why? Why does it have to be?” His hands lifted and rested gently on her shoulders. “Please, tell me what is going on.”

She tried to deny the desperation coating her father’s words however she knew she would only be deceiving herself in the end. Ella’s words haunted her and the threat became completely vivid down to the syllable she had uttered.

I can’t tell a soul. It would kill them all.

She wasn’t sure how, but part of her knew if she spoke of what had happened the bitchy royal queen would find out. “Dad, it’s not simple.”

He thinned his lips and titled his head as he studied her even more intently.

Son of a bitch! He is not going to let this go.

“King Mario asks how you are about three times a day and Luc isn’t doing much better than you are. He almost canceled his thirty-fifth birthday celebration.”

“But he didn’t. He’s moving on with his life and maybe one day
I will too.”

“
He isn’t moving on with his life Chloe. He still wants you to share his every day.”

Fresh tears threatened to fall and she struggled to keep them at bay. “Don’t say things like that.” This time not only hurt, but the anger over the situation Ella had damned her
to, rose to the surface and acted as punctuation.

“No, Chloe, tell me what has you reading books on dark magic or buried in research on dreams. What is going on and does this have something to do with Luc’s curse?”

Not once did she expect her father to ask the question he did. She stepped away from her father’s touch and walked around to one of the plush chairs in front of her desk. Of course he knew the frog had talked and the frog was Luc, but how much could she share now without causing anyone she loved harm or even worse, death. Then again, her dad was one of the smartest people she knew, if there were only a way…

“I broke the spell.” The words fell off her tongue and into the stretched out silence.

“
I know. I was here the day you kissed a frog and a prince emerged from your room in nothing but a towel.” His voice became gentle and concern filtered over his face and dusted his expression with worry.

“
Is there more to his curse, Dad?”

Her father sat in the matching plush chair and cast a leveled gaze. “My guess is Luc didn’t tell you everything, but yes there is more.” He paused and she could tell by the new look on his face he debated something. “He risks being changed back into a frog.”

Heartbeats stopped and her blood froze in her veins. “Luc failed to mention that part.”

“He only confided in me briefly about the whole ordeal. Now what has you so upset, I know you love him Chloe, tell me what happened, after living with a frog prince you might be surprised what I'll believe.”

“
If I do, something bad might happen.” Her voice carried no more strength than that of a terrified little girl’s.

“
Honey, please, I want to help and we'll figure this out.”

She wanted to believe him, but the risk was too great, then again she wasn’t sure how long she would be able to endure the personal hell she currently lived. “It’s going to sound outlandish, but I promise you one thing. As crazy as this story gets, I’m not insane, but I ‘m very scared and very much in love with a prince.” Her heart started to race and her father nodded.

“Fair enough, now what is this story?”

Inhaling a deep breath, she figured she might as well start at the very beginning. “Do you have awhile?”

“My plane leaves at ten in the morning, maybe with a little luck, you’ll be joining me.”

Don’t count on it.

“Now tell me this story and we will figure out away to make this all better.” A smile tugged lightly at the edge of his lips. “I know you and Luc are meant to be.”

Chloe smiled, a small spark of hope entered her soul. Maybe, if her father believed her, there was a way to be with Luc. “Once upon a time in Beverly Hills, a young, handsome man was supposed to attend a grand, yet boring affair with his father, a king, and mother, a queen…”

Luciano stared around the crowded ballroom of the palace and sighed. His soul completely shattered without a chance
in sight of ever healing. He ached to the bottom of his heart, missing Chloe, yet again. This time though, she had rejected him without a second thought―well according to what she had said, that is exactly what she had experienced.

How though? Nothing in
her actions up to that moment had indicated otherwise.  Only now he hadn’t heard from her in the two weeks since he’d left. Albert had said she wasn’t herself and had been acting distant and sad, throwing herself into work all the time consumed her life and her father barely saw her. When he did he described her as pale and lethargic, even doubted she slept. Even now he so desperately wanted to share his life with her, but first he had to figure out what had induced her change of heart or her sudden fear.

“You should dance,” his father whispered.

His gaze lifted and he blinked at his father before glancing to Albert. Part of him was thrilled that his long time friend had made his birthday celebration, however, his presence without Chloe, just brought more pain. Tomorrow he turned thirty-five, and tonight this grand affair was for him yet, he wanted no part of it. He stood at the edge of the room as the world carried on without him. No one noticed him really. Sure, people were polite, women smiled and some even flirted. They saw the prince with the ugly scar. Not the man he was, only the title of royalty and all the luxuries being royal offered.

“It’s your birthday. You should try and have a good time.” Albert’s words carried a sincerity that warmed his cold spirit, but not enough to bring any comfort. He longed for Chloe and for the umpteenth time wondered what had brought such a sudden change in her to go from the look of love in her eyes to fear then coldness. His eyes scanned the room and stopped on Ella.

The Wicked Stepmother, I wonder.

He couldn’t help but believe, somehow, in someway, Ella was behind this. His mind flashed to the memory of Chloe and him standing in her office in Beverly Hills the day he interrupted her talking to Ella in the kitchen. Something was off with the situation and even more so the night Chloe crushed his heart and ran away from him, again, after a chat with Ella. His stepmother’s gaze turned to the door and a strange look crossed her face, then she shook it off and pretended to listen to the baron and his skinny wife. Her eyes again darted to the stairs at the ballroom entrance and narrowed. Something obviously displeased her since she became more focused on the threshold than her company to the point of blatantly rude.

“The blonde that just arrived would love to dance I’m sure.” Albert’s voice barely registered above the buzz of noise in the room and the music, filling the air.

He lifted his attention to the spot that had held his stepmother’s attention and he blinked. The woman was stunning and he stood transfixed in the spot. The hair was blonde and the dress, low cut. The skirts were full and the bodice curved to her breasts and narrow waist as tight as a glove wrapped around fingers. Her hands slid down the lush full red fabric of the dress. Her eyes met his and her shoulders lifted then fell slightly.

She’s nervous.

Her style of dress and hair color were nothing like Chloe but that is exactly who she reminded him of by her mannerisms alone. She stepped down the stairs with a fluid grace and slowly walked toward him as he continued to stand in awe. Her gaze filtered over the room and fell on Ella who didn’t notice and
, by some grace, had tuned back to the baron and baroness. The blonde’s expression dusted in fear as she blinked in the direction of his stepmother then quickly turned her head away.

No, it couldn’t be.

“Well if you aren’t going to ask her to dance. I think I will make our guest feel welcome.” His father smiled then turned to Albert. “Please talk some sense into my son.” He stepped away and drew closer to the blonde.

Albert cleared his throat. “I think you would have found the blonde most intriguing.”

Luc shifted his attention off his father, leading the blonde toward the dance floor, and stared at Albert. “I find that statement odd coming from the father of the woman who I thought loved me and I almost proposed to.”

“Do you still have the ring?”

Foolishly he did. “I do, I guess I keep thinking one day…”

“Things are not always as we think Luc.” his friend’s voice carried gentleness. “I would keep that ring a while longer.”

I think that I lost my heart to a woman who doesn’t love me. I’m doomed.

His chest tightened at the thought of his time running out. If Ramona’s curses were true then he would turn back to a frog sometime tomorrow. “Albert, excuse me please but I really need air.” He walked away and thought of the vibrant brunette he had shared so many wonderful memories with and the one memory that broke his soul. Her refusing to be around him after whispering words of love had almost killed him. He still believed that ripping his heart out would have been less painful.

He crossed the room as image after image of Chloe flashed through his mind. He remembered her in loving detail down to her handmade fragrance. Even now, he could smell the spicy fragrance, unique to her alone. Luciano reached the steps and froze. Her perfume wasn’t a memory and he glanced to where his father danced with the blonde. She was gone and his father was now again talking to Albert only now with Ella by his side.