One Kiss (7 page)

“They went out for another walk, then he gave her—”

“No, I mean did he betray you? Did she punish you?”

She blinked. “Oh. No.” Had he been worried about her? Her face flushed. It was nice to have somebody concerned for her safety, ask after her. It’d been a while since anybody had—her mother was in no condition to care for anyone—and the weight on her shoulders seemed to lessen a bit. She gave Robert a reassuring smile, tinged with genuine affection. “Don’t you want to know about what Prince John did with Princess Serenia?”

“Not just now.”

Molly sat down and cut herself a chunk of cheese. She’d forgotten to take a loaf from the kitchen after the excitement in the garden. “Why not?”

“What John does isn’t that important any longer. If Princess Serenia is unable to see the truth of the matter…”

“We can make her see.”

He shook his head, lines of worry wrinkling the wide bit of skin between his eyes. “I’m not sure we can.”

Molly studied his true form. What a shame a man as gorgeous as Robert was cursed. Prince John was handsome, it was true, but there was coldness in his eyes and cruelty in the tight set of his mouth. She’d never seen him smile except when he tried to ingratiate himself, hoping to get something from others. Even then his eyes remained frosty.

It was unfair a man such as he would likely get what he desired, while Robert remained frustrated despite wanting but a single kiss from the princess. Cursed or not, Robert was ten times the man Prince John was. Molly wanted Robert to get what his heart desired the most.

And like that she decided what she must do. “I can ensure that you will win your suit over Prince John.”

“You can? How?”

“Very simply. I’ll tell Princess Serenia who you truly are.”

“But that will expose you.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not.” She shrugged. “We can’t be sure, but I want to try—”

“No, you mustn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I was being selfish to even suggest it.” Robert sighed grimly. “I didn’t stop to consider how defenseless you were. Seeing you abused by John” —his throat worked— “He was hurting you, and you didn’t do anything. Couldn’t do anything. It shames me that I put my desire above your well-being.”

She pasted on a game smile. “It could be that Princess Serenia would’ve defended me.”

“I doubt that. She would’ve given you over for a diamond or two.”

She stared at him in silent shock. How could he know so much about the princess’s personality already?

“Don’t look at me like that. It wasn’t difficult to figure out.” He ate the cheese she offered. “Molly, tell me your plan. You’re going to take my money and travel some place far from here, away from Serenia, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” She sipped her water. “With the money, my mother and I can be very comfortable, and I’ll never have to wait on other people again. We won’t let anybody know what we can do and keep to ourselves.” Her voice grew wistful. “That’s the most ideal life I can imagine.”

“If you let Serenia know about your gift, she’ll never let you go.”

Molly drew back. It was a possibility she’d never considered. “You truly think so?”

“I do. She’s too greedy, and she’ll think of ways to exploit your talent for her own ends. Trust me.”

“I see.” She couldn’t keep her mouth from twisting into a wry grin. “I never thought you’d reject my offer of help.”

“You’re helping me enough. And more than that, you treated me like a man, not some cursed thing you pitied. For that, I thank you, Molly.”

Robert gave her a smile. It hit her suddenly, blinding her like lightning splitting the night sky.

Her mouth dried and her pulse throbbed. It no longer mattered that he was cursed. Here was more of a man—and a prince—than anybody she’d ever met. She curled her fingers, trying to stop her the tips from tingling so much.

She didn’t know what was required to undo his curse, but it wasn’t her he needed. He’d made it clear he must have a royal princess.

So she would do everything she could to help him get his wish.

The next day, Robert didn’t slip into Molly’s pocket. He didn’t want to involve her any more than was absolutely necessary. The violence his cousin had directed at her still rankled. He’d always suspected John would push as far as he could to get what he wanted, but hurting a defenseless woman? How could he have fallen so low? It was fortunate Robert had been ready the day before, else she might be sporting bruises or worse.

He thought of her offer. It had been incredibly generous and unexpected. A part of him had wanted to say yes, but decency had won out. He couldn’t risk her or her mother’s safety. Not only that, John had hurt her because she’d let Robert go. If she supported him further, who knew what lengths John would go to?

It was time for Robert to take care of things on his own.

So he waited for John, Serenia and Molly to appear in the garden for their late morning stroll. John could try to cajole Serenia into foregoing it—he found walks boring—but Robert doubted it would work. Molly was certain Serenia would go as she was determined to maintain her trim figure with exercise.

He didn’t have to wait long.

Satisfaction bubbled up like sparkling wine at the sight of John limping along in a new pair of boots. It was too bad the curse had limited Robert’s options. Otherwise he would’ve made sure John couldn’t raise his hand against anyone for a long long time.

Serenia was in a fancy concoction of pink silk and ruffles that brought out the rose of her cheeks and lips. Her perfect curls shone in the sun, creating an angelic halo around her tiara.

Yet it was Molly who drew his eye. A pretty yellow ribbon at the end of her simple braid delighted him with its cheery color. Her pale orange dress made her look as brilliant as the sun itself. But it was her quiet presence that endeared her to him. There was pride in her bearing and kindness in her smile. The world—including Serenia—could be as nasty as it wanted, but nothing would change the pure core of Molly.

Wouldn’t it be splendid if Molly turned out to be some long-lost princess?

He shook his head at the fancy. That would be too much good fortune for him. His experience pointed to the opposite: better to hope Serenia wasn’t a fake princess.

Today, he would get Serenia to kiss him. The thought should have filled him with good cheer. How long had he worked to undo his curse? Yet all he could think of was how much he would miss Molly. Should he ask her to return with him to his kingdom? Lustrea had beautiful countryside with many quaint, lovely cottages suitable for her and her mother. And he could show her that not all royals were shallow idiots…be the kind of king she deserved.

Is that all you want?

What else? It wouldn’t be honorable to make her his mistress. She had the right to a good man who would love and cherish her. Robert’s chest constricted until he could barely breathe. He couldn’t be that man. Without the kiss he’d stay a frog, and Molly deserved better than a cursed man-frog as her life-mate.

When the trio was close enough, he gently kicked the final golden ball toward Serenia. She noticed it and immediately clapped her hands in glee. “The third ball!”

John’s brow scrunched. “Sweetkitten, it’s been rolled in the dirt. Are you sure you want it?”

“Of course, I do. It’s going to complete my collection. Now fetch it.”

His face turned ugly, but he limped over and picked it up for her. Robert almost snorted at how slavish his cousin was. Would he sing and dance on command as well after proper training from the princess?

Serenia snatched the ball from John and admired the workmanship. The final one had intricate golden designs with snow and fairy motifs.

“All right, whoever you are. I insist that you let me have this to complete my collection,” Serenia said.

“You may,” Robert said. “But I will ask a boon in exchange.”

“Not again!”

“Princess, you have yet to hear what I want.”

She pouted. “But it’s not fair that I have to do something.”

“I have given you two balls so far, and asked for very little in return.”

“What? You lie! I’ve given you many treasures.”

“Dear Serenia, you promised me a conversation, but you barely said anything. As for the handkerchief you gave me yesterday… I know you have a hundred more like it.”

“But that one was my favorite.”

He cringed, embarrassed for her. She sounded as petulant as a child caught in a lie. Still, he had to get rid of the damned curse. “The price of the third ball is easily met, dear Princess. I require only a chaste kiss from your lips.”

“Kiss you?” She blinked. “But I don’t even know what you look like. What if you’re an ugly gnome?”

“I swear upon my honor, I am not a gnome.”

She hesitated.

John said, “He’s worse than an ugly gnome! He’s an ugly
frog!
”

She gasped. “What did you say?”

“He is a frog. I swear it!”

“My appearance is that of a frog,” Robert said. “But I am in truth a prince. Prince Robert of Lustrea—”

“No, my cousin’s dead, you dirty—”

Serenia raised her hand imperiously. She was, after all, a princess. “Quiet! Both of you! Let me think.” She pursed her lips, her eyes darting between the golden ball in her hand, John, and the spot where Robert was hiding. “Very well,” she said finally. “I’ll give you your kiss.”

“Vow it on your honor.” Robert didn’t know why he felt compelled to add that, since he would’ve found it insulting had someone else demanded it of him. However, this was no ordinary circumstance. His future was at stake, and the oath had to be ironclad.

“Upon my honor,” she said. “Well? Will you show yourself?”

“Yes.” Robert hopped out from behind a small rosemary plant.

Serenia’s throat moved as she swallowed. Her eyes widened until he could see white all around the cornflower blue. “Gods,” she whispered.

“Thank you, but I fear I’m not quite at that level.”

“What?”

Robert sighed. But did it matter? He hadn’t sought her out for intelligence or a sense of humor. “You needn’t touch me with your hands. And you may keep your eyes closed if you wish. But I must have my kiss.”

She flinched.

“You vowed it upon your honor,” he reminded her.

John whispered something in her ear. Serenia shuddered; her grip on the ball tightened.

“Fine,” she said, her voice raspy. “I’ll close my eyes. Don’t move.”

Robert stayed put, his entire being tense with anticipation as Serenia approached. This was it. The moment he’d spent years waiting for. The moment Serenia’s lips touched his—

A slippered foot caught him in the stomach with an impact that drove the breath from his body. Something cracked in his chest, and he shot into the air like a cannon ball, flying away from the garden.

He saw the triumphant face of Serenia, rapidly getting smaller. Her mouth moved, though he couldn’t hear anything through the ringing in his ears.

Blackness.

* * *

Molly ran after Robert, leaving John and Serenia sitting in a shaded spot in the garden. Their laughter faded as she went deeper into the wooded area, searching.

How could Serenia break her promise?

The princess had never been generous, but it was one thing to be stingy, quite another to be dishonorable.

Or murderous.

Robert had told her who he was. Did she not care that she could have killed him with that vicious kick?

Molly finally found Robert near a small man-made pond. He lay belly-up on a bed of white pebbles. A deep red discolored the smooth stones beneath him.

Oh no!

She picked him up, cradling him gently. His forelegs dangled limply, the skin clammy.
What was normal for a frog?
Though his chest rose and fell, the motion was irregular and troubling. Sticky blood from the back of his head coated her fingertips. He must have hit his skull on the rocks.

Her mother had told her many times what a serious head injury could do to a man. He might appear perfectly whole—functional limbs and body—yet his mind would empty itself of all memories and knowledge. Sometimes he became as a child, unable to control any of his impulses.

The possibility strangled the breath out of Molly. She refused to let Robert become a drooling idiot.

Why did I ever suggest he give presents to Princess Serenia?

She should’ve known the princess would never honor a promise made to a frog. She didn’t consider even the higher animals worthy of her notice. She even intentionally stepped on snails and worms on occasion just because she could.

Snails eat leaves, which are pretty, and as for the worms… Well, there will always be more.

Molly pulled out a plain white handkerchief and wiped the blood from Robert, then carried him away from the palace, away from John and Serenia.

Mother would know what to do.

* * *

What felt like a quarry hammer pounded in Robert’s head, the beats monotonous and vicious. He moaned softly, then felt something cool against his forehead. Instantly, the pain eased.

“How are you feeling?”

He blinked his eyes open at the whispered words. His vision blurred, focused, revealed Molly hovering over him. This close, he could see pale freckles dusting the bridge of her nose. He’d never cared for freckles, but on her they looked rather charming. Her forest green eyes studied him worriedly.

There was a soft cotton sheet underneath him. It smelled like Molly, and he found comfort in the clean feminine scent. “Where am I?” he croaked.

“Beg pardon?”

Robert made a supreme effort to render the sounds of human speech appropriately. “Where…am…I?”

“Home. Mine, that is. Do you remember what happened?”

He thought back. “Yes.” He swallowed. “Serenia took the final ball and…kicked me?”

Molly’s worried look abated slightly. “So it seems your mind isn’t empty.”

“What?”

“Sometimes men become confused after a head injury,” came Ethel’s voice.

“I hurt my head?” he asked.

Molly nodded.