Page 12 of The Frog Prince
“It is entirely your own choice,” the Frog Prince said, turning toward the well. Casual. As if Otto’s entire life weren’t hanging by a thread. As if Gisela…
That name made Otto bury whatever fear gripped his insides, ignoring the tingling of his skin. He closed his eyes.
“You promise she’ll live?” he asked, voice shaky and unsure.
“She will,” he said softly.
When Otto opened his eyes again, it was to see the Frog Prince slipping long, spindly fingers into the pocket of his coat.
“Do you accept these conditions?” he asked, round eyes finding him from the side.
“I…I do.” Otto swallowed against the panic threatening to choke him.
“Very well,” the Frog Prince said, stepping up to the edge of the well and holding his hand over it.
He opened his fingers to reveal something small and round in the center of his palm, covered in a layer of moss and grime.
“Let it be known,” the Frog Prince said, the words heavy with magic that kissed Otto’s skin and made it prickle, “Otto, the healer, asks for a remedy for his ailing sister. In return, he will provide companionship to the Frog Prince. He will return to his village to bring the cure for his sister, and three days hence, he shall come back here to these ruins to be his companion. Does the magic agree?”
A soft, pale green glow spread from inside the well—the same ethereal color he’d caught a glimpse of earlier. The Frog Prince tipped his hand, dropping the ball into the well. It made no sound, no splash or echo. Instead, the green light exploded into a blinding starburst before receding and leaving them both in the semi-darkness of the forest.
In the Frog Prince’s hand, a small vial glimmered like starlight had been captured between its glass walls.
“Is that…?”
“For your sister.”
The Frog Prince approached, and Otto did his best not to flinch back when he extended his hand to give him the vial. He reached out, but before he could take it, the Frog Prince snatched it away. Otto felt like he might pass out.
“Three days,” he said, pinning him in place with his stare. “You have three days to come back.”
“Yes,” Otto agreed, his whole body shaking with trepidation as he stared at the vial.
Would he give him the cure? Was it all just a ruse? An amusement for a monster who couldn’t really help anyone and rejoiced in squashing newly awakened hopes?
The Frog Prince offered the vial to Otto again and he yanked it out of his hand before he could take it away, holding it to his heaving chest.
“My frogs will show you the way out,” the prince said. “Make sure not to touch the red one with the purple legs unless youwant to meet your untimely death. And return three days hence. I shall be waiting, Otto.”
Otto shivered at his name on those lips as he stumbled back to his feet. He watched the Frog Prince disappear back behind the walls of the crumbling castle as a cluster of frogs jumped forth, croaking at him impatiently. He spied the little red frog with the purple legs and made sure he steered clear of it.
Otto hurried after them, looking back over his shoulder for his last glimpses of this cursed place.
He couldn’t think about what would happen when his three days were over. Where he’d have to come and who he’d have to stay with. He couldn’t think of the chills the thought sent down his spine or the debilitating fear that came with them.
He just had to get home.
He had to help his sister.
And if he ended up in fear and torment for the rest of his life then…so be it.
Three
Alwin
Oh!
Oh, but this was the last thing Alwin had thought would happen when he’d heard footsteps disturbing his peace.
