Page 69 of The Frog Prince

Alwin settled for brushing their shoulders together as they walked. It would have to be enough for now.

“I know.” Otto sighed. “I gave them instructions. Hopefully that will ease her passing. I just wish…”

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” Alwin said quietly. The saying was one he had contemplated often since being given the ability to grant the very things the proverb talked about. It had guided his hand when granting them. When testing the limits of what could be done versus what should be done.

He never wanted to end up likeher, abusing power and magic.

“More than wishes, I believe in the strength of ordinary people who create their own magic,” Alwin said.

Otto mulled over his words as they continued their walk home. “You know, sometimes you’re exactly like a prince.”

Alwin snorted, a crooked smile crossing his lips. “Are you questioning my lineage, young master?”

Otto chuckled, completely unaware. “Of course not, Your Royal Highness.”

For the hundredth time, Alwin wished he could tell him the real truth, but the magic bound it within the cage of his mouth.

“You were cautious moving around town?” It was the same question Otto had asked every day. It was a welcome hug of care.

“Yes. No one saw me…exactly.”

Otto narrowed his eyes and Alwin smiled.

“It’s perfectly under control.”

“Alwin…”

There was a strange cacophony in the air as they drew closer to Otto’s house. They both tilted their heads, Alwin squinting to try and get a better look in the distance.

“What’s happening?” Otto quickened his pace, and Alwin followed but snuck deeper into the forest.

He frowned when he realized the front of Otto’s home was filled with frogs hopping around madly, croaking at the top of their voices as they all tried to talk at the same time.

And in the middle of that madness stood Gisela. With Farwin perched on top of her head, his tiny fists holding on to her braid.

“You need to leave! Now,” she hissed at them, hands on her hips. “You’re going to draw the attention of the whole village!”

“Gisela,” Otto called, looking around them urgently.

“Oh thank god,” she sighed.

Alwin did his own checks before crossing the path and ducking behind one of the tall hedges that encompassed the garden. Gisela didn’t even flinch at the sight of him.

Twenty voices spoke to him at once, and Alwin did his best to hush them, looking at Farwin, who slumped down into Gisela’s hair, hiding from sight.

“What is it?” Alwin asked.

“Henne is going absolutely insane, barging around the village looking for you both in people’s houses, accusing them of conspiring with you,” she said. “He’s convinced you’re here and won’t take no for an answer. It’s a matter of minutes before he comes back here again.”

So quickly?Alwin thought, then frowned at Farwin fiercely. “You took it too far, didn’t you?”

Farwin widened his eyes at him.Bit.

Alwin directed his censure at the other frogs. “And you?”

The mad hopping dwindled to a rather unconvincing pretense that they were all interested in various things around the front garden. “Don’t pretend at stupidity with me. What did you do?”

Poked eye, one frog said.