Page 54 of The Frog Prince

“What happened?” Otto asked.

“That’s one of the things I can’t say.”

“Why?”

He grimaced. “And that’s another one. Maybe we can stick to talking about other things?”

“Like what?”

“Like, can you swim?” Alwin asked, smiling when he spotted the pond just ahead of them.

It wasn’t overly large, just a tiny pool of murky water between the bushes and trees. It appeared steady and non-threatening at first glance, covered in lily pads and carrying tiny insects on its smooth surface.

Alwin knew looks were deceiving though.

The water was deeper than it appeared. Almost over Alwin’s head if he tried to stand upright. Swimming the few strokes from one end to the other was the safest way to go across, other than taking the longer route around the mess of trees that blocked the passage. Storms had set some trees loose over the years, making whatever pathways existed around that a danger. Winding through them would add days to their trip.

“Um…I cannot, no,” Otto said. “Why?”

Alwin stood at the edge of the pond and pointed.

“The only way to the other side is across the pond. The route around is blocked, filled with danger, and would take us days to traverse. The weather is holding today, so we should dry before it dips in temperature.”

“I’m tall, surely I can walk rather than swim?” Otto said, glancing over the muddy bank and down.

“It’s much deeper than it looks.”

“Oh.” Otto’s face fell. “And the Blue Moons are there?”

Alwin nodded.

Otto took a few deep breaths before nodding to himself as if coming to a decision.

“I’ll try,” he said. “Just kick your legs and arms, right? How hard can it be?”

Alwin tilted his head.

“You’re made to swim, of course it’s easy for you,” he grumbled, and it really should not have been so attractive. “I don’t suppose you have a raft stashed somewhere?”

“I don’t, no.” Alwin hesitated for a second before deciding to be brave. “But I can carry you across?”

“What?” Otto took a step back.

Alwin tried not to let it feel like rejection or disgust from Otto. It was shock…and something else he couldn’t put a name to.

“You can climb on my back and I can carry you across,” he said again, forcing his body not to react to the idea of Otto so close. “It is like you said, I’m made to swim so it will not be hard. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I’m fairly heavy,” Otto said, pointing down at the expanse of his rather large body.

Alwin tried not to react. He had most certainly noticed the bulk of Otto’s body. The strength and beauty of it. The sheer power compared to how fragile and breakable Alwin looked in this form, all gangly limbs and weak joints.

He watched Otto debate with himself for a long moment, eyes opening and closing, fists clenching and unclenching, lips moving as if he were talking to himself. Alwin thought he caught him saying “for the Blue Moons” as if preparing for battle, which was too adorable for his poor heart to handle, before he finally looked up again.

“Okay.”

Alwin felt his stomach swoop. “Are you certain?”

“I’ll change my mind if you keep questioning me,” he said with a self-deprecating smile. “So go ahead. Show me your great frog prowess.”