“So, Prince Declan, what is it like being a warrior in Crown Prince Tiernan’s fianna?” I asked.
We sat at a little table tucked away in a quiet part of the gardens, on a circular patio with a trickling lily-covered stream around the outside edge. Little glowing sheerie faeries twinkled and danced around the flowers, uninterested in the discussions of the high fae. It was romantic and private.
Well, private except for the frog sitting on my shoulder, hidden in my dark curls.
“Do you spend a lot of time away from court?” I added.
“Ask him how many people he’s killed,” whispered the frog. I swatted at him, then pretended to adjust my hair instead. But Declan hadn’t noticed, too busy trying to swallow his large mouthful of fish.
“Yes, we spend months at a time up in the north, patrolling the border between Seelie and Unseelie lands.” Declan brushed his dark hair back from his face. He was actually quite handsome, tanned from a life lived outdoors, and broad-shouldered. I supposed I could do worse, although he didn’t strike me as a potential co-ruler. He had the air of someone who didn’t take anything very seriously.
“Ask him if he cuts his own hair on patrol. With his teeth,” whispered Grenie.
I swatted him again.
“So many pests around tonight,” I murmured. “Is that where you learned to cook? On patrol?”
“I picked up some things from Calder, who does all our cooking. He doesn’t let anyone else do much. I think to keep Tiernan from ruining the meals with his ‘help.’”
“The crown prince doesn’t cook?” I speared a mushroom with my fork. The meal actually tasted pretty good, although I couldn’t help thinking that I should have brought the mint tea along too.
“It’s more that Tiernan shouldn’t cook. He has a knack for making things inedible.”
I laughed. I had never been around anyone who spoke so casually about the heir to the Seelie throne. Prince Tiernan, of course, hadn’t been a candidate for my challenge. Whoever married him would be the future high queen of all the Seelie fae. I was happy to stay in the Lily Court.
“You talk about them as though they’re your family,” I remarked wistfully. I had spent so much of my childhood alone at our castle. Except for that summer with Naven’s family at the Juniper Court and our occasional trips to the Seelie Court.
“They are,” Declan said firmly, finishing up his meal. “I don’t know what I’d do without them.” He looked up with a grimace, realizing how that sounded.
“You don’t actually want to win the competition, do you, Prince Declan?” I asked.
“I bet his mother made him enter,” whispered the frog. “He looks like a mama’s boy.”
I reached up and flipped my hair, casually knocking Grenie from his perch on my shoulder. He tumbled behind me with a muffled croak.
“I...um...not really?” Declan answered my question, then scrambled to add, “I mean, you seem really...nice?”
“It’s fine.” I rose to stand, and the prince politely stood as well. “I’m not really feeling it, either. But I’m afraid we do have to...” I took a breath. This was so awkward. “We have to kiss. Or my mother won’t accept my decision. She’s adamant that it’s the only way I’ll know if someone is my true love or not.” I rolled my eyes. “You know how mothers can be.”
“Oh, I really do.” Declan stood in front of me, and we both took a breath.
“Okay, here goes.” And with that romantic statement, I leaned forward just as he did, and our lips collided awkwardly. I tried not to pull away too hastily, but he stepped back as quickly as I had.
“And what will you tell your mother?” he asked, nervously.
“That no magical fireworks appeared overhead.” I laughed. “And what will you tell yours?”
“That it felt like kissing my little sister.” Declan grimaced.
“It was nice getting to know you, anyway,” I said. And it was true, I could see myself becoming friends with Declan, if we had more time together.
“Same. And thank you for choosing me for at least one of the challenges. Although I’m sure I’ll be teased by Tiernan for a decade or so, regardless.”
Declan left the garden and Grenie hopped up to me.
“Who knew it would be so tricky to find my true love?” I sighed, crouching to pick up the frog.
“It’s probably because you have such violent tendencies.” Grenie sniffed.
“Hmmm.” I watched the prince disappear into the castle. I hadn’t thought I’d feel so melancholy after one failed date.
“I know what you need,” said the frog.
“Oh?” I looked at him on my tawny hand, his skin bright green in the twilight.
“Some mint tea. Let’s go find it.”
“That, Grenioulle, is an excellent idea.” I forced a smile.
“And possibly some cake,” he added. “For me, I mean. It might not be foraged, but it did look delicious.”
“You know what?” I lifted the frog back up onto my shoulder. “You’re very sensible for a frog. How do I find a prince with your excellent priorities?”
“You’ll just have to see what tomorrow brings,” quipped the frog, holding on to my dress as I started to walk back to the castle. “I’m sure your perfect prince is around here somewhere.”
“I’ve had enough of princes for today,” I told him. “Let’s go find that cake.”