Page 7

He frowns. “More?”

Swallowing, I gather my courage and decide to tell him the truth. “A Goblin witch cursed me. She stole my memories and would have killed me if not for Glinda.”

Ren goes very still. “How did this happen?”

“My mother almost died giving birth to me. My father was desperate. So, he made a bargain with a Goblin witch named Drusilla to save our lives.”

“A Goblin?” Ren interrupts, clearly disturbed. “Their magic is dangerous, dark.”

“I know.” I sigh. “During the ritual to save us, some of Drusilla’s magic accidentally became part of me. She realized immediately and demanded my parents hand me over so she could reclaim her power.

“But they refused, and as I grew older, the Goblin magic within me grew stronger—while hers faded. It became hard to control. Dangerous.” I glance away, shame heating my cheeks. “Glinda was the only one who could help me. She became my nanny—my protector, really. She’s a Wood Elf, and she helped me wield the magic safely.”

Ren’s amber eyes hold mine steadily. “But how did you end up hidden here?”

“Drusilla returned when I was older, determined to finally reclaim her magic.” I pause, the shadows of forgotten pain flickering at the edges of my consciousness. “I don’t fully remember what happened. According to Glinda, the Goblin murdered my family and tried to take my power back through a dark ritual.”

Ren’s jaw tightens, his eyes darkening with quiet anger. “That must have been terrifying.”

“I—” I look down at my hands. “I don’t remember. All that I’ve told you is what Glinda told me about what happened. The Goblin’s spell took my memories. It nearly took my life, too, but Glinda stopped her before it was complete. She brought me here to hide me from Drusilla.”

He’s quiet for a moment, clearly digesting my words. His eyes remain kind, warm. “And now you have no memories at all of your life before this tower?”

“Only fragments.” My voice drops to a whisper. “Bits and pieces. Sometimes I dream of people and places that feel familiar, but never clearly.”

Ren’s gaze shifts to the ivy holding him. “Is this your magic at work?”

Lifting my head, I meet his eyes evenly. “Glinda always warned me it’s not only the witch I must fear. She says the outside world is filled with dangerous people. And that my magic should be kept hidden because people might try to use me for it.”

But Ren isn’t demanding answers. There’s only curiosity in his eyes, something warm and unguarded. And I cannot ignore the urge to test him. To show him the truth and see if I can trust him with it.

Taking a deep breath, I call forth my power. I open my left hand, and a glowing ball of green light hovers over my palm. With a flick of my wrist, I direct the magic toward the bindings wrapped around his wrists, urging the small leaves to grow and expand.

He smiles, admiration lighting his eyes. “Your power is incredible. Like the Elves and Fae.”

Warmth flutters in my chest. “Glinda insisted this magic could be dangerous—a weapon in the wrong hands. She’s always claimed it’s safer for me here.”

Ren tilts his head to regard me, doubt easily read in his expression. “But if beings like Elves and Fae wield similar magic openly, why must you hide? Why can Glinda come and go freely while you remain trapped?”

His questions give me pause. Uncertainty knots my stomach, but I push it aside as my mind flickers with small, treasured glimpses of fractured memories: Glinda watching over me when I was a child, humming as she brushed my hair, holding me tight when I woke from nightmares, promising to always protect me from harm.

“She—” I look away, hating myself for the seeds of doubt beginning to take root. “She is doing all she can to keep me safe,” I finally say. “And I trust her.”

As the words leave my mouth, they sound weak, even to my own ears.

“Forgive me,” he says. “I did not mean to upset you.”

Forcing down my unease, I decide to change the subject. “Where are you from?”

Before he can answer, a loud rumble of thunder shakes the tower. Heavy rain pelts the window as lightning flashes, illuminating the room in a stark white glow.

Instead of moving on, the storm only seems to be getting worse.

Ren shifts, causing the vines to dig into his wrists as he tries to relax back on the mattress. “Would you mind loosening these a bit before I sleep?” He glances at the ivy coiled tightly around him. “I promise I won’t try to escape.”

He does appear rather uncomfortable. With a wave of my hand, I direct my magic to relax the vines holding him, so he’s not stretched quite so taut.

“Thank you.” Settling back in bed with a sigh, he closes his eyes. He cracks one open again and flashes a handsome grin. “I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight, fair Rapunzel.”