Chapter 6
The woman, Bella Schaus, raised a brow at him, and Riven felt his giant throat suck in as he swallowed.She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met, so he was not shocked her name wasbelle.She wore her long, dark hair straight, with only a thin circlet of braids at her temples.She had large, dark eyes, and skin that practically glowed with health and vigor.
“It is customary to exchange names, especially if we are to go adventuring together.Humans call this an introduction.”Her eyes sparkled fetchingly at her tease, making her even more attractive to him.
In a moment of panic, Riven asked, “Where is Esch-Sur-Sûre, exactly?”
“Northern Luxembourg.”
Relief filled him.Everyone around here knew of Prince Riven, the young, carefree, handsome and possible eventual heir to the kingdom, but an unusual name as his might reveal his status.Maybe he should use one of his middle names?His father was named David, and his mother’s father was Albert.Being average names, they hopefully would not sound revealing to her.“Albert.”Saying it made his throat bubble in froglike fashion under his chin.
“Albert.”She giggled.“Say it again.”
“Albuuurt.Albuuurt.”
She closed her eyes and smiled.“The music of summer.”Then she looked at him.“Where are we, anyway?”
“Aigues-Mortes.We are in the south of France.”Although Riven didn’t particularly like the name Albert, itwasone of his middle names, so technically he was not lying.Seeing her smile, though, warmed his heart.
And made him notice anew how pretty she was.He had seen many lovely women at court, but Bella was by far the prettiest.He was glad he raced madly up to her and stuck his tongue to her arm.
It hadn’t been a kiss, but his human portion desired to follow through on that.
“Well, Alburt,” her eyes twinkled as she teased him, “I shall head into the village and see what I can find for our journey.”
The thought of her leaving him sent a bolt of panic through him.“Wait!”He craved more time with her, and mentioning the wineskin gave him an idea.He concentrated on needing one with a giant mouthpiece, then dove to collect it once he knew where it was.“Carry me in this,” he said as he wiped the sharp taste of the pond from his mouth again.
Bella picked it up with two fingers and eyed it as the suspicious piece of filth it was.“What is it?”
“A wineskin, of sorts.”He hopped inside it and turned around in the slimy interior.“Just add a bit of pondwater into it, and I believe I can come with you.If this venture of ours does not work, we will yet be close enough that I hope you would return me to the pond ‘ere I expire.”
“Of course I would.”With a wrinkled nose, Bella added some pondwater, then used the hem of her skirt to wipe the item down.“Do you think this is a good idea?Not that I do not wish to help you, but this wineskin of yours does not look very watertight.That, and my sole dress will reek of this pond for a month.”
“I will buy you a new dress,” he promised, even as she tried to protest over it.“Let’s get you some food and drink, and then we can find me a nice, watertight bucket.”
She stared at him, as if trying to determine if he jested.“Alright then.Ready?”
He croaked once, and Bella smiled and hoisted the damp, smelly strap onto her elbow.
He alternated settling into the muddy bottom of his sack and poking his head out to watch their approach and speak with the pretty woman who carried him.
“What brought you to my cas...um...pond?”
She raised a brow before answering.“Thirst.I have traveled quite the way.”
“If you just arrived from faraway Esch-Sur-Sûre, why are you so eager to return?”
She held his eyes as she walked a few steps.“It is the oddest of tales.For certain, so odd that I am unsurprised to be conversing with a talking bullfrog.”
He made awumsound, just because he could.Riven noted they passed the pub where he kissed his first barmaid so many years ago.He had once thought the barmaid pretty, but he had disliked her lack of education after a few moments of conversation.Other women he had met practically clawed their way to him, intent on throwing themselves in front of a prince.Truly, their desperation to marry wealth was most tedious.His eyes drifted to Bella.Shewas the most beautiful woman he had ever met, and clearly she was also a kind and generous person, but would she enjoy conversation?Since she had no idea who he really was, he wanted to know everything about her, right this very minute.The sooner she disappointed him, the better.“Well, I find myself to be your captive audience.”
She laughed.“You are indeed.”
He blinked at her, continuing to hold her gaze.
“Truly?You wish to hear it?”
