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“But you’re safe,” Rapunzel counters. “And you have magic.”

“Mine is not nearly as strong as yours,” Glinda replies smoothly. “So, I am not as much of a target for those who want power.”

A frustrated look crosses Rapunzel’s face. But instead of arguing her point further, she says, “I just want to see what’s beyond this tower. That’s all.”

“The world is a cruel place, child,” Glinda chides. “Besides, you have everything you could ever want here. Why long for the unknown?”

“But I don’t have everything I want. I want my freedom,” she states firmly.

Glinda stills as a tense silence settles between them, a shadow crossing her features. “Do you have any idea the sacrifices I have made to keep you safe?”

Rapunzel flinches as Glinda’s fingers tighten briefly on her shoulder before relaxing again as she continues. “The world is far too dangerous, full of bandits and all sorts of monsters. You wouldn’t survive out there.” She brushes her hand along Rapunzel’s cheek. “You must trust me. I only want what’s best for you.”

My jaw tightens, and I bite back a growl. The scent of licorice seems to thicken in the room, making my stomach churn. Glinda is keeping Rapunzel here, feeding her fear, trapping her with lies.

CHAPTER 9

REN

It takes everything in me not to burst out of this wardrobe. My claws dig into my palms as I curl my hands into fists at my sides.

“I know. I’m so sorry,” Rapunzel says. “Please, forgive me.”

Glinda presses a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, my dear.”

Her fingers start to glow again as she resumes combing Rapunzel’s hair, singing softly. Her voice is so faint I cannot quite make out all the words, but a few of them sound likeDarksyl—the shadow tongue used for incantations.

Rapunzel blinks heavily, her posture softening, as her breaths become slow and even as she begins to nod off.

I shift my ears forward, straining to hear, and wince as something shifts beneath me with a low thump.

Fates curse me.

Glinda stops, her head whipping in my direction. The glow at her fingertips vanishes instantly, and Rapunzel jerks back awake.

My heart pounds as Glinda’s gaze sweeps the room. “Did you hear something, my dear?”

Rapunzel sits up, rubbing her eyes. “No.”

“I must be hearing things,” Glinda says. She presses a kiss to Rapunzel’s forehead. “I should go. There are things I must do. You should get some sleep.”

Rapunzel nods as Glinda rises from the sofa. Together they walk to the window and Rapunzel drapes her long braid over the hook, near the ledge, throwing it over the side for Glinda to climb back down.

“I will return soon,” she says as she drops over the edge and begins her descent to the ground below.

As soon as she’s gone, I step out of the wardrobe. My fox is on high alert, fangs lengthened and claws extended.

“She’s not what you think she is, Rapunzel.” The words leave my mouth in a rush as every instinct within demands that I take her away from this place, far from whatever evil purpose Glinda has in keeping her here.

“What are you talking about?” she stares at me in confusion. “What do you mean she’s not what I think she is?”

“She’s lying to you,” I snap, my voice coming out much firmer than I intended. “The world isn’t nearly as dangerous as she wants you to believe. She’s keeping you here for a reason, and I don’t think it’s because she cares about you. We need to go.” Worry claws at my chest. “We need to get as far away from this place as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because she put you under some sort of spell, Rapunzel.” I grip her shoulders, desperate to make her understand. “Whatever she was doing to you—it wasn’t right. We have to go. Now.”

“No.” She steps back, shrugging my hands from her. “I can’t just leave. I—”