Page 50 of The Frog Prince

Alwin

Alwin kept his eyes closed as he ran his fingers over the dry skin of his forearm, around and around and around, like he was in a trance.

The dew on the grass wasn’t enough to soothe him, nor the shade of the tree he was braced against.

His skin was gasping from thirst, the basin in the room not enough to combat the heat of the fire and the sturdiness of the walls that insulated it. He could not even lie in bed, the sheets sticking to him and sapping him of precious moisture.

To persist was foolish—he should have snuck out and sought out a pond. Yet he had longed to be human again for so manyyears that it was hard to let go. He wished to pretend for a moment that he was himself again.

Alwin.

It had been so very long since he’d heard his name said aloud. The name only the most precious to him had known.

And now Otto.

His heart stuttered, not faring any better than when he’d first laid eyes on the golden figure. Worse, now that he understood him more. Underneath the fear that had made his tongue sharp was someone exhausted and trying his best, who puffed his chest at the world during the day but cried out in the dark.

Someone like him.

Even if Otto couldn’t see it.

Something felt like it had shifted in the early morning light, however. Otto had reached out for him for reasons unknown, his words softer.

Alwin slipped his fingers down to his wrist, his skin feeling branded with the shape of Otto’s hand.

Prince!

Alwin opened his eyes and looked down. A dozen common frogs had gathered at his bare feet, led by none other than Farwin. They croaked in happiness, hopping in place.

Alwin summoned a smile to hide his bruised heart. “Hello, friends. How are you this fine morning?”

How are you? How are you?they echoed him, springing onto his legs and lap affectionately. Farwin took his spot on his shoulder, round eyes staring at him without guile or artifice.

“Any news?”

Heard a man mated with a wolf,Farwin told him.Howling through the woods. Keep frogs awake.

Alwin choked. “Farwin! That is far too salacious!”

Truth! Frogs tell. Frogs saw.

“That may be the case, but do you need to repeat it?”

Prince asked!

“About our kingdom. Not about tawdry deeds in the dark of the forest.”

No news. Kingdom happy, Farwin croaked.Jurgen says stop asking.

Alwin blew out a breath of relief. This was the first time he’d ever been away from them, and he’d worried continuously over their safety.

“Let me know immediately if anything happens. I’ll be right there,” he told Farwin for perhaps the third time since he’d sent him on his way last night. It had only been one night.

Prince come back?Farwin asked, his throat expanding in happiness.

“Perhaps.”

He didn’t know how any of this would turn out, or whether this was all futile, but it was closer than he had ever come before, and he had to see it through to its end. Good or bad.