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Instead of Lyra answering, Maribelle turns to us with a grim look. “It means that Drusilla’s magic is not all that was transferred to you when she saved you and your mother on the day you were born. You also took some of her life and youth. It is no wonder she is desperate to regain this.”

Flora looks at Rapunzel, worry shadowing her features. “This also means the witch has a claim on you. She wasn’t just suppressing your memories, she was draining your life force to replenish her magic when she would comb your hair. It’s the reason you are unable to cut it. It is spelled by her dark enchantment.”

Ice fills my veins. I’ve heard of a Goblin’s claim before. They are very dangerous things. “How do we break it?”

“The witch must release her willingly,” Lyra replies. “But it would mean sacrificing any chance Drusilla has to regain all that she lost to Rapunzel.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Then, it can only be broken by death,” she says. “Hers or Rapunzel’s.”

Rapunzel flinches, a hand lifting to her throat.

“It’s how she is able to track you,” Maribelle adds. “Your magic is the same. It calls to her. Although I know this will be of little comfort, given all the years you lost, you are fortunate she did not simply kill you already. Instead, she kept you locked away in the tower and hid your memories because she was trying to find a way to reclaim it without taking your life.”

Flora leans in. “But what Drusilla does not realize is that thereisno other way to regain her life force and her magic. The spell she used on you to replenish her powers is only a temporary solution. It will eventually stop working and will never fully reverse what has been done. If she cannot continue to siphon your life force as she did in the tower, the only way to reclaim it is by your death.”

Flora gives Rapunzel a grave look. “And now that you’ve escaped, and she cannot control you… if she believes that recapturing you is no longer an option, she may become desperate enough to kill you rather than lose her powers forever.”

I curse under my breath. I should have killed the witch instead of leaving her in that tower.

“What about my memories?” Rapunzel asks. “Will they return now that I’m no longer her captive?”

“They are locked away in your mind,” Lyra says. “The witch has the power to release them but if she does not… unless she is killed, they will have to return on their own.”

Hope flits across Rapunzel’s face. “Then theycanreturn?”

Lyra nods. “It is possible, but it is not guaranteed.” She sighs. “It could be days or years, or… never.”

My chest tightens at the look of devastation on Rapunzel’s face.

“What am I supposed to do?” Her voice quavers as she looks down at her hands. “How can I plan for a future when I don’t know my past? Where do I go? What do I—”

“The plan hasn’t changed.” Cupping her chin, I guide her face back to mine. A tear escapes her lashes, but I brush it away with my thumb. “I am here and I will not leave your side. We will travel to my home. You’ll be safe there. And after that, we’ll figure out the rest. If you want to seek out Prince Theron, we will go together.” I meet her gaze evenly. “We won’t stop searching until we find the truth of your past.”

“What about the witch?”

“I spared her life in the tower, when I should have killed her.” I growl low in my throat. “I will not make that mistake again.”

“You should be fully healed before tomorrow,” Flora says. “But you are welcome to stay with us as long as you wish.”

“Thank you for all that you’ve done. But I believe the sooner we leave, the better. My family’s castle is well protected.” I turn to Rapunzel. “You will be safer once we reach Cambryn. We’ll leave at first light.”

CHAPTER 32

REN

Standing in the doorway of Aurora’s room, I bid Rapunzel goodnight.

Before she closes the door, she turns back to me. “Where will you sleep?”

“I’ll be in the living area, on the sofa.” I glance at the bed, wishing that I could hold her again. I will miss the feel of her tucked against me as I rest.

Glancing over her shoulder, I notice Finik is already curled up on one of the pillows with his fluffy tail wrapped tight around his body. “I’ll wake the two of you in the morning.”

Stretching up on her toes, she wraps her arms around me in a hug. “Goodnight, Ren.”

Longing fills me as I embrace her in return, thinking of our kiss in the gardens. I want to know if it meant as much to her as it did to me… if she’s changed her mind and decided that she wants me, despite all the uncertainty of her past.