Page 26 of The Frog Prince (The GriMM Tales #6)

Eleven

Alwin

T he days following Otto’s declaration passed faster than Alwin could keep track of.

Otto was full of a determination that lit him from the inside out, the power of the sun seeming contained within his body as he shook off any uncertainty and instead plowed into the problem.

He spent every waking moment visiting those in town, writing meticulous notes about their illnesses and doing his best to ease their symptoms.

Alwin had tried to convince him to stay repeatedly, but Otto had told him earnestly that there wasn’t much good he could do for them here unless he could figure out the cause.

He had more hope of finding it in the forest than he did in the village with Henne breathing down their necks, blocking their progress.

Alwin was in awe of him, wishing again that his magic could stretch far enough to heal them all but knowing nothing he could offer would be enough. It awakened a part of him that had long since slumbered in the wake of his transformation.

It had been easy to grow his resentments as he was treated as a monster.

Easy to hate back when he was hated. Only thoughts of his family and his people had kept him from falling into darkness, and the brief bright lights of those like Otto who had approached him not out of greed, but for genuine help.

It made him feel that even like this, he could make a small difference.

But it was easy to give in to despair and sadness in the quiet times, as the months and years passed, wiling away days under the water, only a step from giving up completely.

Otto was a ray of light. A new hope. Life breathed into him from a mouth that had been so close to his own. Alwin began to dust off the part of him that had been groomed to lead, to make smart decisions, to see and maneuver around the pieces on the board.

Alongside that Alwin, as if holding on to its coattails, something unexpected rose to the surface.

Mischievous Alwin. The one who’d spent his childhood roping his little brother into silly tricks and practical jokes that had had the staff in their castle rolling their eyes and grumbling to their parents.

The one who liked coming up with clever ways to annoy and irritate, rejoicing in every put-upon sigh and pinched lip.

He so hoped Lorenz had kept up the tradition of being a nuisance in his absence, but for now, Alwin would put those skills to good use.

Otto wasn’t duplicitous enough to sneak around effectively, so Alwin came up with a plan to keep Henne distracted so he could move unseen.

Using his frogs, he led him on a merry chase with “sightings” of the Frog Prince. Days of them. Rumors. Whispers. He made sure Henne never got a moment of peace as Otto worked his way around the village, gathering the information he needed unbothered.

They were small bargains to make. He couldn’t use his magic to heal the town, but he had access to an arsenal others didn’t.

“I swear it!” the grizzled man in dirty traveling clothes said to a seething Henne. “I saw him! The devil chased me into town, just like I said.”

Alwin smothered his laugh as Henne let out a growl of frustration, the dark circles under his eyes more apparent as his face flushed. “Why would he be chasing the likes of you? People chase him, you imbecile!”

The traveler scoffed back. “If you don’t like the answer, don’t drag me out of the tavern asking this and that about no Frog Prince. I didn’t approach you.”

The man spat on the ground between them then stomped back toward the tavern, leaving Henne quietly burning with anger.

Alwin reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple brooch, taking one last look at it before bargaining it away. It disappeared in a wisp of green magic, and an opaque double of himself appeared a few feet away.

Alwin sent it crashing through the trees.

Henne’s sharp gaze snapped that way, his steps surprisingly quick as he followed the specter farther out of town.

Farwin slipped from his spot perched on top of Alwin’s head, his face hanging upside down in front of Alwin’s left eye.

“That should take care of him for an hour or so,” Alwin said, watching until Henne was out of sight before slipping easily from the treetop.

These fingers were more than strong enough to help him climb like any common tree frog.

“He doesn’t stay away for long. Unfortunately, he’s not completely unintelligent. ”

Frogs make noise all night again?

Alwin smiled. Part of his plan was to keep Henne on the edge by having his frogs make a ruckus under his window every night. “Maybe let him get some sleep tonight, but drive him a bit mad?”

Mad. Farwin tilted his head. Not know mad.

“It means crazed. Not behaving right.”

Mad now , Farwin pointed a tiny finger in the direction Henne had disappeared.

Alwin chuckled. “More mad.”

More. Farwin nodded seriously. Move things. Hide.

“That’s a good idea. Don’t take it too far though. We just want to slow him down. Jurgen always said that unpredictability was a man’s greatest weapon. Your opponent won’t be able to predict your next move and counter.”

Jurgen doesn’t move. Just sits in mud. Doesn’t talk. Ignores frogs, Farwin complained.

Alwin’s heart twinged with grief. “A different Jurgen to our dear toad friend, but very similar. Very wise. So we should listen to their advice.”

Henne slow. Dry, Farwin said.

“But still dangerous,” Alwin cautioned, taking him in hand. “Tell the other frogs. I’ll head back. Otto should be finished soon.”

Farwin hopped away, ecstatic about the prospect of creating more chaos, and Alwin cautiously picked his way through the forest, jumping from shadow to shadow and avoiding any shaft of light as he circled the village to the other side.

He crept closer, spotting Otto’s large form through the window. He knelt next to an old madam’s bed, her frail hand cupped in his large ones as he listened and nodded at whatever she was saying.

Alwin had a vision of Otto in Hallin colors, appreciated for his talents, just as humbly treating both young and old, rich and poor.

He cast his mind back to their almost-kiss in the alcove. The encounter in the pond. He hadn’t imagined it. Hadn’t dreamed it, or the gentle way Otto had treated him after.

The vision suddenly didn’t seem so far out of reach.

Something was changing. Had changed. It wasn’t love—Alwin’s skin still shimmered with green—but it was an open door. An opportunity, for the first time.

He waited about an hour for Otto to finish, falling into step with him as he headed home, taking the long, rarely used path along the tree line so Alwin could join him.

“Final one?” Alwin asked.

Otto nodded, lips pinched tight.

“I don’t believe she will be here when we get back,” he said somberly. “I wish I could help now, but she’s too far gone.”

Alwin looked down, wishing he could somehow take away Otto’s pain.

“You are doing everything you can,” he said. He so desperately wanted to take Otto’s hand. To squeeze it and offer comfort. He wanted to be the one who could settle Otto’s worries. Be the calm in the storm like Otto was for him.

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 like her , 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.

Tripped , another added.

Pinched butt , a third said.

“Oh for the love of…” Alwin pinched the bridge of his nose.

“What did they do?” Otto asked.

“You do not want to know,” he said as noise rose from down the street; angry yelling and commotion. “But we will have to go earlier than expected, it seems.”

“Yes, you will,” Gisela agreed. “I took the liberty of packing you some clothes and supplies. It isn’t much. I was rushed.”

She picked up a bag lying next to her feet and tossed it to Otto.

“You best go before Henne gets here,” she said.

“I don’t want to leave you when he is like this,” Otto said, brows furrowing and chin setting. “You don’t have to endure his madness for me. I got us into this mess in the first place.”

“Oh please.” Gisela set her chin the same way, as stubborn as her brother. “He is a miserable old man with too much time on his hands. I can handle him just fine. Besides, he wants nothing from me. It’s you he’s after.”

Brave , Farwin croaked from Gisela’s head, and she nodded.

“What he said.”

“You don’t even know what he said,” Otto argued.

“It was a compliment, obviously. I am clearly superior, and he is a very smart frog.”

Alwin watched Farwin puff up proudly.

“He did call her brave,” Alwin chipped in, just to watch the attractive way Otto scowled.

“See,” she said, lifting her hand to pat Farwin’s back.

Alwin was afraid he might be losing his favorite little frog.

“You want to stay here and keep Gisela safe?” he asked, and Farwin nodded enthusiastically, burrowing deeper into Gisela’s braids.

Soft , he croaked.

The shouting grew louder, a door slamming in the distance followed by a dog barking.

“Go,” Gisela hissed, walking over to hug Otto tightly before turning and wrapping a hand around Alwin’s neck.

She yanked him down to press her lips to his ear. “You will take care of him, right?”

“I will.” Alwin nodded. “I promise, I will give up my own safety for his.”

She pulled back, looking him straight in the eye for a moment before a smile stretched her lips. “Interesting.”

Alwin shifted on his feet. “What?”

She glanced at her brother for a moment before looking back at Alwin and shaking her head. “Oh, not a thing.”

She pushed both of them toward the edge of the forest, frogs trailing them. “Go. I’ll distract them.”

“Gisela—”

“Let me protect you for once, Brother. Trust me.”

Otto blew out a breath before nodding, turning toward the forest, and taking Alwin’s hand to yank him along. He only slowed down when the noise faded behind them.

“What was that about before we left?” Otto asked, slowing into a swift walking pace. “What did Gisela whisper?”

He didn’t seem to realize he was still holding Alwin’s hand. The sensitive pads on the tips of his fingers pressing against Otto’s skin like sticky kisses, refusing to let go.

Alwin tried not to lose his wits.

“She was just telling me to make sure you’re safe,” Alwin said honestly, not wanting to keep any secrets from Otto.

No more than he absolutely had to, anyway.

“She worries a lot,” Otto said, and Alwin smiled. As if Otto himself weren’t the biggest worrier Alwin had ever met. As if he hadn’t traded his life for his sister’s without a second thought. As if this very trip wasn’t happening purely because he cared so much about everyone around him.

“Seems to run in the family.”

Otto gave him a shy, pleased look.

“Maybe so.”

They continued to walk.

This time, there was no hesitation. No pause. No break in Otto’s stride. He traded sunlit pathways for shadowed ones without a moment of doubt, and Alwin fell in step behind him, making sure his back was covered and protected from anyone who dared to think the Frog Prince wasn’t a danger to them.

He could be. For the right cause.

What better cause than protecting a man who had proven himself worthier than most royals or great lords or ladies?

Their handhold didn’t break once.