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A shiver moves down my spine as her gaze shifts to me, cold and calculating.

“Don’t even think about it, witch,” Ren snarls. “She is mine, and I will end you before I allow you to harm her.”

My mouth drifts open at his statement, but it quickly snaps shut as Drusilla laughs darkly. “Oh, my poor Fox,” she tsks. “You think you are safe, but you’re not.”

Lightning fast, she flicks her wrist, sending out an arc of magic. It wraps around the bookshelf, lifting it effortlessly and throwing it across the room, straight toward Ren.

Without hesitation, he spins and pushes me out of harm’s way, narrowly avoiding the heavy object before it slams to the floor, sending books and parchment scattering.

Drusilla laughs with wicked delight. “Your magic may protect you from a direct attack, but it doesn’t protect you from the indirect effects.”

She lashes out with her power, directing it toward a heavy chair, sending it barreling toward Ren. He spins out of the way, barely missing the wooden chair as it smashes against the opposite wall.

“Stop it!” I yell. “Leave Ren alone!”

Drusilla’s head whips toward me, her eyes narrowing. “Enough!” she snaps. She raises one hand, a ball of purple magic hovering above her palm. “One spell and you won’t even remember his name. And things can be as they were.”

“No!” I cry out in panic, realizing her intent as her dark magic hurtles toward me.

In a blur of movement, Ren snatches a silver platter from the table, and leaps in front of me. Drusilla’s magic hits the polished surface with a thunderous boom.

Ren flies backward, slamming against the wall with a sickening crack at the same time the dark magic ricochets back at her in a brilliant arc, knocking her off her feet.

She crumples to the floor, her body limp as the spell’s energy crackles faintly around her.

Panicked, I rush to Ren and fall to my knees beside him. My hands tremble as I touch his face. “Ren.” His entire form is still. Too still. “Please, wake up.”

He groans, and relief moves through me as he opens his eyes.

“Rapunzel,” he rasps, wincing as I help him sit up. “Did she hurt you?”

My heart squeezes in my chest. Even despite his obvious pain, he’s more concerned about my welfare than his own.

“I’m fine. You saved me.” I brush the hair back from his face. “I thought you were dead.”

His lips curve up in a faint grin. “You’ll be pleased to know that Foxes are very resilient… not easily killed.” He arches a playful brow. “And obviously quite brave.”

I laugh at his teasing even as relief floods my chest that he feels well enough to joke with me.

“Do you think you can stand?”

He nods and then groans low in his throat as I help him get to his feet.

Ren walks over to Drusilla. Her eyes are closed, but the slight rise and fall of her chest means she’s alive.

“Still breathing,” he mutters. His expression hardens. “Perhaps we should change that.”

“No!” I move to his side. “Please, Ren. Don’t kill her.”

His jaw tightens. “Even after everything she’s done to you? After what sheplannedto do… you would spare her life?”

“I… know she’s not a good person, but—” Emotions war deep within as I stare down at her. Anger. Betrayal. Sadness. Part of me hates her, but another part cannot let go of who I thought she was—a woman who cared for me like a daughter. “I just want to leave,” my voice shakes as I blink back tears. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I turn back to him. “Besides, her spell backfired on her. When she awakens, shewon’t even remember anything of what she’s done… of all her lies.”

The firelight flickers between us, painting sharp shadows across his face. “She is a Goblin, Rapunzel. Even in her weakened state, without full use of her magic, she is still powerful. I doubt the dark enchantment will erase her memory. If we’re lucky, it will buy us half a day at most before she recovers.”

I understand what he’s saying, and I know it’s foolish, but I don’t want to see her killed. “Please, Ren. Let’s just go.”