Page 78

Guilt twists deep within. The Stag Prince has refused to give up on me all these years. I’m so worried he’ll be disappointed when he arrives. With so much of my memory still missing, I fear he’ll find I’m not the same person he remembers—the one he’s been so desperate to find.

Even worse, I’m afraid that when I do see him, I’ll discover emotions I wasn’t aware of. And if so, what will that mean for my feelings toward Ren?

CHAPTER 44

RAPUNZEL

Fragments of the past trickle back into my mind when we walk into the study. As I sit across from my parents, on the large velvet sofa with plush sapphire cushions, memories spark in vivid bursts—the sound of Tristan’s laughter, the comforting murmur of my parents’ voices as we gathered here after dinner.

Across from me, Tristan leans forward, elbows propped on his knees, eyes wide and serious. Mother and Father are quiet as I share more details of my story, their expressions a mix of relief and guarded unease as I tell them more about Ren and how he helped me uncover Drusilla’s lies.

When I’m finished, Tristan looks at my father. “We need to double the guards along the castle walls in case the witch sends someone else for Rapunzel.”

“Agreed.” Father clenches his jaw. “I’m going to kill that Goblin.” He curls his hands into fists at his sides. “I’ll put a price on her head from here all the way to the coast of Eryadon. There will be nowhere for her to run.”

Father turns his attention back to me, his eyes full of regret. “I’m so sorry, my darling daughter. I would never have made a bargain with a bloodwitch, but I had no choice. Your mother was dying, and the healer feared that you would as well.”

“It’s all right,” I tell him. “I understand. In truth, I would have probably made the same decision myself, if I’d been in your place.”

“We made sure to pay her in gold, hoping to avoid an entangled bargain,” Mother says quietly. “And when you began to exhibit magic—” her voice catches. “We thought we were helping you when we hired Glinda as your nanny. She claimed to have knowledge of such things. We were only trying to help you.”

“Please.” I lean forward and take her hand. “You cannot blame yourself. You were only trying to do what you thought was best. Drusilla disguised herself. You had no idea of her treachery.”

Tristan shakes his head. “I don’t understand. Why did the witch capture you? Why not simply continue as she was? No one even suspected her of such deceit.”

Father shakes his head. “It was probably because of your upcoming marriage to Theron. She must have worried you would not take her with you when you went to live in his kingdom.”

My brother nods. “And if that had happened, Drusilla would have lost all access to you, and any chance of regaining her powers.”

“You are safe now, Rapunzel,” Father’s eyes burn with determination. “We will use every resource we have to hunt down the witch and end her,” he vows. “We will make sure she can never harm you again.”

I’m so happy to be home again. To know how much I’m loved and was missed these past three years. Less than a week ago, when I imagined this moment, I pictured Ren at my side. I misshis strong and comforting presence, and I wish so much that he was here to share this with me. Closing my eyes, I fight back the tears that would fall if I let them.

Tristan reaches across and takes my hand. “Are you all right?”

I nod, but it’s a lie. I’m far from okay, but it’s not so much to do with the witch and more to do with my charming Fox prince.

My heart is torn. Part of me wants to forgive him, but part of me is still so hurt I’m not sure if I can. He’s leaving in the morning, and I’m desperate to talk to him. I want to ask him to stay… to see if we can work this out, but I’m not sure if I should.

Theron is probably on his way here even now. For all I know, his arrival could trigger memories of our relationship. If so, it would only hurt Ren. And that’s the last thing I want to do.

It’s late by the time I go to my bedroom. When I open the door, myriad memories rush forth. Moonlight filters in through the sheer curtains, painting my familiar surroundings in shades of silver and shadow.

Everything is exactly as I left it. My books are stacked neatly on the shelves, and several of my drawings are spread across my desk. I run my hand over the bedcover of pale blue silk embroidered with tiny white flowers.

A sharp ache pierces my chest as I trail my fingers over the smooth, polished wood of the bedpost. It’s as if everything has remained frozen in time here while I’ve been gone. How much sorrow must my family have carried, to keep everything precisely as it was?

I pull Finik from my pocket and place him on the pillow, tucking a blanket over him as he curls up and goes to sleep.

I cross the room to the balcony doors. Pushing them open, I step into the cool embrace of night. The palace gardens below are bathed in moonlight and the wind carries the delicate fragrance of night-blooming jasmine.

My heart twists painfully as I think of Ren.

The hurt of his lies still lingers, a raw wound carved deep by Drusilla's deception, but beneath all the sadness, my love for him remains.

He isn’t even gone, and I already miss his playful smile, his protective embrace, and the warmth in his amber eyes when he looks at me as if I am the only thing that matters in his world.

Because of him, I’m no longer trapped in the tower. He saved me, and helped me remember who I am. And despite what happened between us, I cannot fathom a future without him.