Princess between Worlds by E. D. Baker Page B

teens.
    â€œI’ve got this,” said the bigger boy.
    When he squatted down and reached for the shackles, Annie could tell that Liam was fighting the urge to pull away. The boy was surprisingly gentle, however. Jamming his fingernail into the gap in the shackles, he pried them apart one at a time. When he had removed Liam’s shackles, he turned to Annie’s. His hands were enormous, but he was so careful that she barely felt any extra pressure as the shackles came off.
    Liam turned to Mona, the mother giant. “You said ‘more wee ones.’ Have others been here recently?”
    â€œOnly one,” said Mona. “It was an old man in long robes with a shiny head. He saw us and ran away laughing. He must have left the island then, because we never saw him again.”
    â€œRotan!” Annie exclaimed. “He’s a nasty wizard who does nothing but cause trouble. Liam and I just got married and are on our grand tour. Somehow Rotan knows where we’re going and has gone ahead to turn people against us.”
    â€œThen I’m glad he didn’t stay,” said the father giant. “You, however, are welcome to stay as long as you like. My name is Hugo and this island belongs to my family and me.”
    â€œWe’d love to stay for a little while,” Annie said, casting a glance at Liam. “I think we could both use a good rest.”

CHAPTER 10
    After Annie and Liam agreed to stay, the family of giants returned home, taking Penelope with them. Annie and Liam were left alone on the beach, which Annie thought was perfect.
    â€œThe shackles are off, the monsters are gone, and nothing dire is making us leave. Can we go for a swim now?” Annie asked Liam.
    â€œI don’t know why not,” Liam said as he pulled his shirt off over his head.
    When Annie took off her gown, she was careful to retrieve the blue stone that Nasheen had dropped down her back. Tucking it in her pocket with the rest of the gifts from the yetis, she folded the gown and set it above the tide’s reach.
    Annie and Liam went swimming in their undergarments, laughing as they splashed each other, then swimming together in lazy circles. Suddenly Liam disappeared. A moment later, Annie felt a hand on her ankle and something jerked her under the water. She was relieved to see that it was Liam, and moved into his arms without protest.They kissed for as long as they could both hold their breath, then shot to the surface, laughing.
    â€œYou know,” Annie said after a while. “So far, this is the only part of our trip that’s anything like the way I envisioned our grand tour. I thought we’d spend long, lazy days relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, but it’s all been so hectic, and sometimes quite frightening!”
    â€œI know it didn’t turn out at all as we’d planned,” said Liam. “I am sorry; I know it’s my fault.”
    â€œDon’t you dare feel bad,” Annie told him. “This is just another of our adventures! Only, I do wish we knew that there was a way for us to get home in the end.”
    â€œI swear to you, Annie,” Liam said, reaching for her hand. “I will find a way to get us home, even if it takes me years and years and—”
    â€œOh, you!” she said, laughing as she splashed him, starting yet another water battle.

    They were floating on their backs, holding hands while watching the high white clouds drifting overhead, when Annie said, “The giants are so nice! The stories about them always make them out to be fierce and nasty, but they aren’t at all.”
    â€œMaybe some are, but this family is very nice,” said Liam.
    â€œHugo seemed to accept everything you said without question. Why do you think that is?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Liam replied. “Maybe giants don’t lie and aren’t used to people who do. Or maybe we’re so small and insignificant