Read Online Wyvern's Prince (The Dragons of Incendium Book 2) by Deborah Cooke - Free Book Online

friend on this planet.”
    “Why? Because you listen to its advice? We could be friends, if you made a little effort.”
    Gemma took a deep breath. “Okay. You’re right and I admit it. I am sorry. Now, can I break the spell or does it have to wear off? How do these things work?”
    “Spells can work in a hundred different ways, depending on the intention of the spell caster.”
    “That doesn’t really help.”
    “The question is what Urbanus defines as the greater good.” The toad hopped closer. “And whether you’re part of it, key to it, or an obstacle to it.”
    “Because I can guess what he’ll do in each of those instances.”
    A groan came from the other side of the door to Urbanus’ chamber, revealing his location. The toad seemed to grin, as if satisfied with her husband’s unhappy state.
    “How badly is he hurt?” Gemma whispered.
    “He’s not dead.” The toad sighed. “Clearly, wishes don’t always come true.”
    How unexpected to have something in common with a talking toad, even if it was a dislike of her new husband.
    Gemma folded her arms across her chest. “Okay. A quick introduction to spell casting, please. How do I break the spell and get my powers back?”
    “With the antidote, of course.”
    “Which could be anywhere or anything depending upon the intent of the spell caster.”
    “Exactly.”
    “Do you know where or what it is, in this case?”
    “I could guess, but I’m not telling until you help me .”
    Gemma bent down. “And here I am hoping that the antidote involves the sacrifice of a toad.”
    The toad, to her surprise, laughed although it was a rueful sound. “It just might.”
    “Why? Who are you really?”
    The toad stretched up and Gemma realized it was offering its mouth to her. “One kiss and you can find out.”
    She bent and touched a fingertip to his forehead, considering it. But the feel of his skin made her shudder and step back in disgust. She took refuge in a technicality because his disappointment was almost tangible. “If you were a frog, I might. But everyone knows that enchanted princes don’t become toads.”
    “You don’t know Urbanus very well, do you?”
    Gemma pivoted at the sound of a key in the lock to the corridor. The maid!
    “Here’s your only chance to get out of here,” the toad muttered. “Do I have to explain it and can you figure it out all alone?”
    “Oh, shut up or I’ll leave you behind,” Gemma had time to say before the door swung open and the maid entered the room. She seemed to be startled to find Gemma waiting for her, even though she carried a tray with a steaming bowl upon it.
    “I trust you slept well, my lady?”
    “I did, thank you,” Gemma said with a smile. She acted like a fool, the better to win the girl’s trust. “That smells delicious. Could you set breakfast on the balcony for me? I love the view of the trees! Look at the sunlight on my ring!”
    * * *
    Venero was impressed by Gemma. At the sound of the key in the lock, her manner changed completely. He could have been watching a different person than the woman he’d been arguing with just moments before.
    He admired anyone who could play a role when necessary. He didn’t like deceit much, but sometimes a small deception served the greater good. If the maid under-estimated Gemma, they would have a better chance of escape.
    But it was more than that: he’d seen Gemma nude and he couldn’t forget it. She was beautiful. Ideal, even. She had creamy breasts, which he thought to be the perfect size, and the way her nipples tightened in the cool morning breeze had been particularly distracting.
    He’d wanted to touch her.
    No, he’d wanted to caress her. He’d been sure he’d despise her, given her shape shifting abilities, but the reaction Gemma provoked in him was the very opposite. He wanted her in all the ways he couldn’t have her. And that was strange: he liked ornamental women as sexual partners, and skilled warriors as companions. He’d