“All of it.”
Bella inhaled a deep breath.“My father got tossed from our horse and must have stumbled upon an enchanted castle.A beast of a creature—hairy, huge, and horned—imprisoned him.I followed first the hoofprints and then Papa’s footsteps in the frost and found him.He sounded like he was dying of the grippe, so bad was his cough.In a moment of desperation, I pledged to become the beast’s prisoner in my father’s stead.”
“You did no such thing.”Inconceivable for a woman, foranyone, to be so selfless.
“I did.And the behemoth set Papa free and tossed me immediately into his cell.”
Riven scanned her clothes, as they were not the remnants of one confined to wear them all hours of the day.Did she lie to him?“How long were you there?”
“Half the day at most.”
But he watched a frown pucker her brow and realized there was more to the story.“How did you escape?”
“I didn’t.The tower began to shake violently.I fell to the ground but then kept falling.It felt like I fell from the top of the world, or farther, so long was I aloft.When I landed, I was in yet another tower, yet it washere, just a few miles away, and in spring, not winter.This tower was well-appointed, with pastries in the oven and tea on the boil, yet no one was there.I managed to fashion a rope of sorts and escape through the sole window.”
He blinked at her.“You speak the truth.”
“I do.I am quite proud of the fact I escaped.So proud that I would tell none other this tale than a talking bullfrog.”Her eyes twinkled as she gazed upon him.
Hewummedin pleasure, sensing no lies in her story.He was cursed into a frog—unheard of by any, so might not falling from the top of the world also be possible?Were Riven yet human, he would kiss her hand for the honor of the tale, yet he knew any attempt to do so in this form would backfire most egregiously.Still, he wanted to keep her talking, get to know her true character if they were to exchange favors.
She continued, “I worry overmuch about my father.He was hale and whole when he left for the trade market, and so sick when I found him not two days later.”She gazed down into his eyes.“I will honor my pledge to help you with your curse, provided you honor yours to get me home anon.I would ne’er forgive myself if he were deathly sick and I were not there to aid his recovery.”
“I will honor my pledge.Tell me, what does your father do?”
Her eyes lit with warmth.“Oh, he invents the most wondrous creations!Like trickling drinking water through crushed coal to remove the dirt and grime.It tastes amazing afterward.And he designed a tin that keeps embers alive for a ready fire.He also built a hole digger that removes dirt in a tube shape, making it perfect for dropping fence posts straight down.He even created a glass globe to wear on his head, connected to an air hose and pump so that he could breathe while walking along the pond bottom!”
“You jest.”
“I do no such thing.My father’s imagination and creativity know no bounds.He said that walking under the water was his greatest lifetime accomplishment to date.”
Riven felt his chest warm with Bella’s smile.She loved her father so; it was clear.So unlike his own relationship with his sire.“He is the most fortunate man to have earned your love.”
“Of course I love him; how could I not?”
A lifetime of gilded rules and cold demeanors would do it, but Riven did not want to detract from her happy thoughts.“Is there no other male needing your attention at home?”
“Needing?No.Seeking?”She shivered.“Unfortunately.”
That caught Riven’s attention, whether from a desire to protect or sensing competition, he was unsure.“You do not return his favor?”
“None of them.No.”
He almost laughed.“None?How many males seek to woo you?”
“Three.”
“Three!You are then the most fortunate of women.”
She scoffed and delivered him an angry gaze.“Lies!I feel no sense of fortune regarding my situation.These males care not for who I am, or for what pleases me, only for how I look.Not one male in town compliments me on my opinions, my conversations, or my clever ideas for improving our village.All they see is a young woman who must be in need of a husband.Even my father has ceased his compliments over the past year in favor of marrying me to some lout.”
Confused, Riven asked, “I do not understand; Is marriage not what all women want?”
Her free arm waved in frustration.“Perhaps?I do not know.All I know is I am tired of being judged by the state of my visage, which is something I have no control over.Would that a man would see me for my cleverness!”
He took in the measurement of her character and found her to be true.The fact it resonated so closely with his own desires to be seen for who he truly was struck him hard.“I see you for your kindness,” he offered.
Gratitude shone in her eyes.“I appreciate that, Albert.If only all men were sweet frogs as yourself.”
