Just One Golden Kiss (2 page)

“I can’t.”

“Come now. Are you really so spoiled?”

“I’m carrying a ball,” she said, instantly feeling ridiculous for the words she had just uttered.

“Oh, my, the princess cannot bear to leave her toy behind. Toss it! I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold you up much longer.”

“Promise you won’t take it from me.”

“Toss it now or fall back into the well.”

“First promise you won’t take it.”

Grumbling, the man said, “Stop being childish. I promise I won’t take your toy.”

Lela raised her arms and threw the ball.
Thump, thump
on the ground it went. She then reached for the well’s wall and dragged herself out. Once she was standing on firm ground again, she untied the rope from around her waist.

A torch sunken into the ground near the well shone light on her. Blinking rapidly, she tried to clear her vision so she could identify the man who had just rescued her. She saw no one.
Coward.
At least he left her his torch. She took it out of the earth and looked for the golden ball. Against a tree it rested as if it had been there all along. She paced toward it.

“I think I deserve gratitude.”

Lela turned around ready to shout at the man for hiding from her. But again, she saw no one. “Stop playing games,” she said. “Make yourself known or be on your way.”

“I’m down here,” the man said.

“Where?”

“Look down,” he said.

Lela lowered her stare. Gasping, she stepped back. Was she really seeing what she was seeing? Yes, down on the ground staring at her was…a frog.

CHAPTER TWO

“You assumed me to be a man,” the frog said, hopping to her.

“Get away from me!” Lela could not decide what she was more afraid of, the dark or a talking frog!

“Oh come now, I saved you. Where is your gratitude?”

“You’re a…frog.”

“And you’re a…princess. Now that we have established our existence, let’s get on with what I desire.”

Her heart was beating faster than it had when she was falling down the well. “How were you able to pull me out? How can you speak?” she asked, breathing heavily.

“No time to answer your questions. We need to find shelter. Quickly, follow me,” he said, jumping away from her.

She held back laughter. The very idea that this talking frog wanted her to follow him was absolutely, without reserve, completely laughable. Even so, she was alone in the dark in the forest far from the castle. Such a predicament convinced her to follow him.

“Don’t forget your golden ball,” he said, chuckling.

Ah…yes, the reason why all of this was now happening to her could not be left behind. Scooping it up, she said, “Where did you get this torch?”

“Magic, dear princess. The same way I was able to pull you out,” he said. “Are you scared?”

“I’m hoping this is a dream.”

“You should be scared,” he said. “If we don’t reach shelter soon, they will come after us.”

“Who will?” she asked, walking behind him, her head spinning.

“Don’t pretend not to know. They have roamed the forest since the beginning of time.”

Swallowing saliva, she said, “I’ve never been outside the castle after sunset.”

“Clearly your father has protected you from the truth. Why do you think people no longer call the forest their home?”

“If you mean to frighten me even more than I am, congratulations, you have succeeded.”

“Move faster. Up head is an abandoned house. We can spend the night there.”

When they reached the stone and decrepit house, the frog entered without hesitation. “Hurry,” he said. “I can sense them. If you linger outside for even a second more, they will find you. I won’t be able to stop them from taking you.”

She darted into the house and situated the ball on the cracked floor. Then she said, “Start speaking.”

“First, blow out the torch. Now!” he said.

“We’ll be left in complete darkness,” she said.
Curse you, darkness, curse you.

“They’re near. Blow it out.”

She exhaled into the flame.

“Don’t move,” he whispered.

She thought her knees would give out. When she left the castle just hours earlier for one of her many travels through the forest, she never imagined she’d now be standing in an old dwelling with a talking frog
and
a golden ball hiding from someone
or
something that definitely did not want to befriend her.

The minutes passed and she remained still.

“They’ve moved on. We should be safe for the night,” the frog said.

“Who were they?” she asked, sweat coming down her face.

The frog jumped to her and settled at her feet. “They enjoy roaming the forest at night hoping they come across a poor lost person on whom they can feast. Their appetites are insatiable.”

“You tell lies,” she said.

“I may only be a frog, but I’m not a liar.”

“Tell me who they are.”

“You’ve read about them in storybooks.”

“I’ve read about a lot of creatures, make-believe creatures meant to scare children into obeying their parents.”

“Ah, yes, but these roaming night creatures are not make believe,” he said, launching himself onto the ball.

“Say what you mean, stupid frog.”

“Calling me stupid when I have saved your life twice is offensive, princess.”

“That I’m still standing here talking to you disappoints me. I’ll take my chances in the forest. Get off my ball,” she said, waving her hand in front of him.

“Very well, courageous princess, be on your way then.”

Holding the ball, she started to walk away, mumbling curses.

“Oh and princess, if you encounter a
vampire
, please don’t try to run.”

She stopped.

“Go on,” he said. “What are you waiting for?”

Turning, she asked, “Did you say vampires?”

“Indeed. Still feeling brave?”

She felt her lungs fall to her ankles. Storybook vampires were vicious, bloodthirsty creatures cursed to live soulless for all eternity. They weren’t real just like talking frogs weren’t…blessed Gods, vampires! Impossible.

Dropping the ball, she inhaled a long breath and tried to remain calm. If it wasn’t for the very real truth that she now found herself engaged in a conversation with a talking frog, she’d have dismissed his claim that vampires existed. A part of her wanted to run and not stop until she reached the castle but her instincts told her to remain with the frog. Whether or not vampires were real almost didn’t matter. She had never been outside after dark. Ever. Her only knowledge of the night was through her bedroom window in front of which she often stood staring at nothingness, wondering what matter of creatures scurried about cloaked in shadows. Even if she left, she would most likely not find her way home. And what’s more, she could not lie to herself. The blunt truth was that she was afraid and would not dare venture out.

“I don’t have a choice but to stay in this dreadful place with you, tonight. Come first light, I shall be on my way home vampires or no vampires.” She would not display weakness in front of this frog, though if she were staring in a mirror, she’d have no recourse but to confess that her vulnerability was already known to him.

“Not without first giving me what I desire,” he said.

“Ah…yes, I admit to secretly hoping that you had forgotten.” Ludicrous that she thought that for even a second. This was one determined talking frog. He had actually pulled her up from a well. How was that possible? Oh, yes, magic. She’d have to question him further…never mind, right now, she was faced with learning what it was that he so desired from her.

“I can’t blame you. You’ve had quite a night and we’re still many hours from daylight. No telling what else awaits you,” he said.

Yawning, she said, “Do tell me what it is you want before sleep overtakes me.” She was not tired at all but hoped that her fake need for slumber would cause him to put off his declaration until morning when she could leave and never have to see him again.

“It’s simple. I desire you,” he said, smirking.

She let out a laugh. Indeed, the night had more strange events to unveil. “I see. What exactly does that mean?” Honestly, she wanted to walk right over to a wall and beat her head against it. Better still, she wanted to pick up the frog and fling him against it.

“A witch cursed me. Turned me from a man to a frog. All because I would not lie with her. Despicable witch.”

“Are you serious?” She laughed again, this time louder. “A witch cursed you because you would not lie with her? Oh my, you must be…hmm, quite a man that you were so wanted.”

“Don’t mock me, spoiled princess. I have saved you twice this night.”

“Yes, yes, you have already reminded me of such. Why would a witch want to lie with you?”

Witches unlike vampires were without doubt real creatures who lived high in the mountains of Barmoth. Secretive and territorial, they kept to themselves, never bothering anyone unless they felt threatened or…ah yes, they fancied something from someone. In both cases, a person was doomed. Going against a witch was never, ever a good idea. A curse was sure to fall upon anyone who threatened a witch or refused to surrender whatever a witch wanted.

“I suppose she found me enchanting and yes, perhaps unbelievably handsome.”

“If you keep talking my stomach will burst from laughter.”

“I have the ability to enchant. Do not be so quick to dismiss me.”

“All right, dear enchanting frog, do you mean for me to lie with you?” Feeling one of her head pains coming, she massaged her forehead and sighed.

“Kiss me first and yes, then, lie with me,” he said as if the words that had just left his mouth were as natural as inviting her for a stroll in a garden.

Knowing she was going to spend the night in the middle of the forest with a talking frog enticed her sense of humor. She decided to play along with him. “You’re a frog. How do you suppose we’re to lie together?”

“Kiss me and you will see me changed. The witch’s curse will be broken once I lie with a princess.”

It was all too much for Lela. Yet, a part of her was intrigued. She could not deny her curiosity. “Fine little frog. I shall kiss you, but I will not lie with you.”

“Very well,” he said. “A kiss then?”

She held out her hands. He hopped into them. Bringing him to her lips, she kissed him on the top of his head.

Seconds later, he transformed into a man right in front of her. A dizzy spell overtook her and she stumbled.

“I was not lying, princess,” he said, catching her before she landed on the floor.

She wished she were home sipping her evening tea.

“Don’t be afraid of me,” he said, helping her to her feet.

“This isn’t happening,” she said, once she had regained her balance.

“You believe in witches, do you not?”

She opened her mouth to speak but held back her words.

“Well, what is your answer?” he asked.

“Of course I believe in them,” she said, staring at him. “I’ll admit that you’re…well, okay, somewhat handsome but
enchanting
…so much so that a witch placed a cursed on you for not lying with her?” She wasn’t about to let him know that he was undeniably the most good looking man she had ever seen. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes and pale skin…indeed he was striking.

“Will you lie with me?” he asked, softly.

She was still a virgin despite the many advances from her father’s men.

“Why should I? My kiss broke the spell.” Her head hurt.

“It won’t last. Come morning I shall become a frog again unless you lie with me.”

“You expect me to believe you? I shall fall down laughing.”

He took her hand in his. “I beg you.”

His touch sent heat through her. Brushing his hand aside, she said, “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two,” he said, reaching for her hand again.

For an unexplainable reason she did not refuse his touch. The warmth she was feeling settled between her legs and she thought she would faint. What was happening to her? She could not explain her feelings.

“I will be gentle,” he said, kissing her hand. “I promise.”

“I have never…”

“I won’t hurt you. Will you lie with me?” He brought his hand to her face and caressed her cheek.

Blessed Gods, she wanted him. She moved his hand down to her stomach.

“I must know your answer,” he whispered into her ear, lowering his hand between her inner thighs.

Lela knew she would regret this…yes, nothing good would come from what she was about to do. But right at that moment, she didn’t care. Containing her sanity, she answered, “Yes.”

She pressed her back against a wall.