The Unlucky Prince

by Deborah Grace White

“I had my own thoughts,” Ari assured her solemnly. “I can’t speak to how intelligent they were, but that issue predated being turned into a swan.”

“Why are we outside?” he asked. “I thought you were showing me around the castle.” Violet waved a careless hand at the stone building behind her. “There it is. It’s very nice, we like it.”

“Since I have you alone, Ari…” She looked up to see him watching her with a suddenly wary expression, and couldn’t resist indulging in a grin before letting him off the hook. “I have questions for you. We love Wren as our own, but she’s maddeningly poised. Please tell me you have some embarrassing stories about her from childhood. I need something in my arsenal.” Ari relaxed, letting out a laugh that was appealingly deep. “There I can certainly help you,” he assured her. “Although I might require some about Basil in return.”

She didn’t feel brazen, or even confident, in spite of her bold front. She simply felt…weary.

He couldn’t possibly have survived six years as a swan only to be turned into a pond frog by an accident of a group of untrained students. No one person could be that unlucky.

He’d never thought he’d see the day when he’d wish he was a waterfowl again.

“Ari, this is too ridiculous,” said Wren, sounding impatient more than anything. “First a swan, then this? How in dragon’s flame did you get yourself turned into a frog?” He shrugged. “I just felt like a change. Too long as a human, you know.”

“Why is everyone so convinced that kisses have some kind of potent magical properties? They’re entirely ordinary.” “As your wife, I take offense at that,”

“We briefly had the same end,” said Lex stiffly. “That doesn’t mean we’re allies.” “Yes it does,” Basil contradicted. “That’s often all allies are.”

“I fought in the war,” he said, his eyes passing from Lex to Yannick. “And I lost someone very dear to me. You’re not the only ones who suffered from the conflict. Far from it. But you’d rather pretend no one understands your pain, because it’s easier than admitting that there’s another way to respond. That you could choose to forgive and move forward. Instead you’re choosing anger and violence. The very things we all hated about the war.”

“Marriage isn’t a quick solution to any problem, no matter how dire. It’s a serious business, and it’s lifelong.