Chapter 21
Riven woke up feelingquite weak.He now had but a small moat remaining around his floating castle, so small that even the gentlest of breezes sent his wagon-wheel base bumping along the circular shore.Due to the delicate nature of his size, and the whispers of his mother’s reward still lingering, Riven had hired three trustworthy guards to keep watch overnight.
Now that daylight was here, they had dispersed somewhat, giving Riven a moment to acclimate to the day.Some part of him feared that the shrinking pond affected his magic, but then he reasoned that he had been exceptionally busy with human-sized manual labor all week.
Frogs were simply not designed for such things.
Bella was one of the first to appear, as usual.She and Henriette had their elbows locked, and a basket swung from Bella’s free hand, likely their lunches.They both slowed at the old edge of the pond, then Bella carefully crossed the fresh dirt, testing each step, as Henriette stayed back to eye the guards.
“I declare, it does smell mighty fine here these days,” Bella said with a grin.
“I have noticed as well.And I did venture down the channel last night—just a bit—to enjoy the fresh water on my skin.This salty water itches fiercely.”
“I bet it does.Any issue overnight?With ruffians or wandering miscreants?”
He loved the sparkle in her teasing eyes.“None.I had three loyal men watching over me.”He indicated them with a turn of his head.
Bella followed his gaze, then her eyes drifted to her friend.“Don’t look now, but Henriette has noticed one of your men.Tell me, is he fine and good?”
Riven looked to see who she meant.“Leon?He most certainly is.He squired for me, so I can personally vouch for his upstanding character.”
“Perhaps an introduction is in order?”
Riven warmed inside.“Are you matchmaking, darling?”
Her cheeks pinkened a delightful shade.“Henriette deserves the best in life.She is smart and kind and loyal.I wish all the world to see her as I do.”
“Then I shall see to an introduction when this is done.”
Bella beamed, then surveyed their progress with a nod of approval.“You have accomplished even more after I left.At this rate, you shall be human again by tomorrow.”Her confidence in him made him proud.
“I have done it, haven’t I?”
“You have.”He could see the pride in her eyes.“I am so proud and happy for you.”
“I could not have done any of this without you,” he said, leaping up for a cuddle.“Bella, darling, may I kiss you?”
Her eyes twinkled.“I never thought my first kiss would have been to a frog.”
“Or your second.”
“Definitely not,” she agreed.
He stretched up and placed his green hands on her chin, then pressed his mouth to hers.He was incapable of kissing her the way he wanted, by cradling her head and rocking his lips along hers, but the love he felt for Bella could not be understated.
He pulled back and waited for her to open her eyes.
“I kiss much better in human form,” he promised.“This form limits me severely.”
She grinned and blushed furiously.“Then I hold you to that.”
He lit up inside at her invitation.“I cannot wait.”He loved the expectation in her gaze, the warmth she shared for him.Riven felt like the luckiest male alive to have earned Bella’s attention and love.
And then Luc arrived.
