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She huffs a quiet laugh. “I don’t know… what if they think I’m strange?”

“They won’t,”I assure her.“Trust me, Rapunzel. The second they see you, they’ll know what I already do: that you’re extraordinary.”

She presses her cheek against my fur, exhaling softly. “If you say so.”

“I do,”I insist.

It’s been several hours of travel, but we’re just outside Cambryn, on the northern border of the kingdom of Lumaria. Up ahead, a town comes into view, and Rapunzel tenses. “Where are we?”

“This is Greendale,”I explain.“We’ll rest here tonight and then continue on to Cambryn in the morning. We should reach my family’s castle by midday.”

When we reach the edge of the forest, I lower myself to the ground so Rapunzel and Finik can climb off my back, before shifting into my human form.

She turns to me. “Do you think it’s safe to stay here?”

“Yes. The last time I traveled through here was during the harvest festival. The people in this town are very friendly and welcoming to travelers.”

When I offer her my hand, I love that she takes it without hesitation. The last rays of the sun are beginning to sink below the horizon when we step out onto the main road. As we crest the gentle rise, Greendale comes into full view.

It’s a rather lovely town. The lanterns are already aglow in the twilight along the cobbled streets, casting golden halos on cozy cottages and charming stone buildings with slanted roofs painted in shades of lavender and sky blue. Flower boxes spill vibrant blooms from every windowsill, and colorful banners flutter in the evening breeze.

The scent of freshly baked bread and woodsmoke permeates the air. Rapunzel leans closer, wide-eyed, studying the town with quiet wonder. Warmth blooms in my chest at her delight as we leisurely stroll through the bustling streets.

Villagers walk along the cobbled pathways, a few smiling at us in friendly greeting. Fairy lights are strung overhead,illuminating the winding path to the town’s center. A tavern with an inn, across the way, catches my attention, and I guide Rapunzel toward it.

The door swings open to a cheerful burst of music and warmth. The scent of roasted meat and honeyed bread drifts through the air, rich and inviting, mingling with the faint tang of ale and smoke.

Several patrons are gathered around tables, their laughter and the clatter of tankards echoing throughout the space. The golden glow of lanterns flickers against the wooden beams, casting shadows that dance along the walls.

Rapunzel pulls her hood over her head, hiding her features as we approach the counter. A Dwarf male short brown hair and striking green eyes greets us with a smile. “Welcome! I’m Merlyn. What can I do for you today?”

“My mate and I would like a room and a meal.”

“Aye, of course.” He grins and hands me a key. “That’ll be four gold coins for the evening.”

After I pay him, he guides us upstairs. As soon as we reach our room, he turns to me. “Whenever you’re ready, simply come downstairs and you can either eat in the main hall or bring your food back up to your quarters.”

When he leaves, I seal the door shut, making sure the lock works properly. The room smells of lavender and jasmine. It’s sparse but clean, with a four-poster bed, a table with two chairs and a sofa that is positioned across the room, next to the fireplace.

A door on the opposite wall enters into the cleansing room with a claw foot tub, sink, and a toilet near the back.

“I’ll go downstairs and retrieve our food for the evening while you and Finik make yourselves comfortable.”

We stopped for lunch, but it was only a meal of dried meat and cheese. I glance at Finik as he climbs out of Rapunzel’s pocket and waddles onto the window ledge, fluffing his tail.

If I’m not mistaken, he’s gained a bit of weight on our journey. Just this afternoon alone, he ate a hearty meal of crackers and fruit, and polished off half a wedge of cheese, but I’m sure the little rascal won’t pass up an evening snack if I find something for him downstairs.

Rapunzel nods and I make my way back down to the tavern. As I wait for Merlyn to prepare our meals, I sit at the bar. Several posters are tacked on the wall behind him: illustrated notices of people wanted for crimes and a few of those who’ve gone missing, their loved ones desperate for their safe return.

The tavern door creaks open as more customers arrive and the cool night air slips inside, curling around the old notices, making them flap in the breeze.

One poster lifts, revealing another beneath it, and I freeze at the face staring back at me on the worn and yellowed paper.

I leap over the bar. Shoving the newer notice aside, my fingers tremble as I tear the older one free, my heart pounding as my gaze travels over the poster of a woman with delicate features, silver-white hair, and blue eyes that I’d know anywhere.

The shape of her face, the softness of her expression… even the way her hair drapes across her shoulders. The likeness is undeniable.

It looks exactly like Rapunzel.