Page 51 of The Frog Prince
Farwin made an unhappy croak, deep and loud, and Alwin’s lips twitched.
“I can always count on you to be happy to see me, can’t I?” Alwin whispered, sighing as he threw a single brooding look at the village, unable to shake his mood.
Loneliness tugged at his soul.
Water,a spadefoot said, resting tiny fingers against his dry arm and drawing his attention again.
Alwin pulled his shirt cuff back down and fixed it tightly. “Yes, friend.”
Go now? We show.
“I cannot join you. I’m waiting for someone.”
Frog?
“No. He’s no frog.”
Many sets of eyes blinked in confusion.
Not frog?
Alwin smiled. “Much too big to be a frog, I’m afraid.”
So toad?
Alwin stuttered out a laugh. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“Let who hear what?”
Alwin and his frogs startled, turning to see Otto standing there with a satchel slung over his shoulder and his cloak in hand. He looked beautiful, with the wind playing in his hair and his shirt collar pulled askew to reveal more of one shoulder than the other.
Alwin felt a little scandalous just viewing it, and adjusted his own collar nervously, making sure it was still firmly in place.
Otto shifted on his feet at the prolonged silence, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck and stretching the shirt even farther. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s perfectly fine.” Alwin got back to his feet, happy that he couldn’t blush where anyone could see.
“Farwin, right?” Otto guessed, looking at his shoulder.
“In all his infamy.”
Otto smiled, as if remembering the stories. His gaze moved back to the frogs on the ground, alight with interest. “You communicate with them?”
“Of course.”
“That’s”—Alwin braced himself for the next word, taking Farwin from his shoulder into his hand protectively—“amazing.”
Alwin stared in wonder.
“I, uh, met some this morning. I thought it was foolish to speak to them. They haven’t…well…they haven’t mentioned anything have they?”
Alwin tilted his head. “Should they have?”
“No!” Otto crouched down in front of the frogs, busying himself and holding out a hand to try and beckon them close. They only looked at Alwin in confusion. Otto turned his curious blue eyes back up to his. “They understand everything?”
“Not as such,” Alwin said carefully. “A frog’s mind is simple, though not unintelligent. They have the worries of a frog, not a human, so some things are harder for them to comprehend, but their ability to adapt is unmatched.”
“That’s so fascinating.” Otto shook his head. “You wouldn’t think it.”
