Page 11

RAPUNZEL

T he cool night breeze caresses my skin as I gaze out the tower window to the ground far below. My long, silver braid is looped securely over the iron hook near the ledge.

I thought about using my magic to have the vines help us down, but using my powers always takes so much out of me. I don’t want to be tired at the start of our journey.

Glinda has climbed this way many times before, but I’ve only ever taken the stairs.

I wish we could use them now, but Ren is right. It’s better to hide the door with the bookcase. Even if the memory spell only works on her for a few hours, it will give us more time to get away from here before she remembers how to escape the tower.

“Are you ready?” Ren's voice is low and soothing, pulling my attention back to him.

Nervously, I nod. This is what I’ve always wanted. Freedom. But now that it’s here, I can’t help but feel a bit of trepidation. I don’t remember anything about living in the outside world.

Ren braces himself against the window ledge, his sharp claws digging into the weathered surface. He glances at the iron hook embedded in the wall, where my braid is looped and knotted securely. He tugs it once, then twice, testing the strength.

Ren presses his full weight on the iron hook. “Seems sturdy enough,” he murmurs before turning to me and arching a brow. “Now for the fun part.”

“I've never done this before,” I swallow thickly as I pat my pocket, making sure Finik is still securely tucked away inside. “I've always used the stairs.”

Ren steps closer, erasing any space between us. My pulse quickens as his powerful hands settle on my waist and he scoops me up into his arms as if I weigh nothing.

My hands press lightly against his bare shoulders. As I gaze up at him, my heart races, not from fear, but from something else entirely.

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” he instructs. “And your legs around my waist.”

Heat rises in my cheeks as I do as he says. His heart beats a strong and steady rhythm against the cage of his chest, a stark contrast to the wild thundering of my own, at the feel of his body pressed against mine.

He glances down at me, amber gold eyes gleaming, and I’m almost certain he’s enjoying this far too much. “Are you ready?”

“No.” The word escapes me before I can stop it.

He chuckles before catching himself, a playful smirk tugging his lips.

Worry tightens my chest as I meet his gaze evenly. “You won’t let me fall, will you?”

“Never,” he says confidently. “My vow.”

Carefully, he drops us over the side, his strong hands holding tightly to my braid.

His muscles flex and bunch beneath me as we begin our descent.

Halfway there, I make the mistake of looking down, and emit a small squeak of distress.

My heart taps a frantic beat as I tighten my arms and legs around him.

He looks at me, his face inches from mine, and his expression softens. “It’s all right, Rapunzel. I promise,” he says solemnly. “I won’t let you fall.”

Closing my eyes, I bury my head in his chest, the scent of rain and forest enveloping me, and he continues to descend.

It’s strange how much I already trust him even though we’ve only recently met. There is just something about him that feels right… that puts me at ease.

“Are you okay?” his voice is a low rumble beneath my ear.

I nod, although my heart feels as if it will beat out of my chest at any moment.

Ren begins humming. The melody is somewhat playful and jaunty, and he catches me off guard as he starts to sing aloud.

“Oh, a clever fox, dashing and bold,

His charm and wit worth more than gold…

His features so handsome that nary a maiden

Can resist his smile, their hearts all laden.”

I bite back a laugh. “What on earth are you singing?”

“Something I just made up.” He grins. “Do you like it?”

Before I can answer, he continues.

“With eyes of amber, his tail so sleek,

The bravest hero—though modest and meek!”

I burst out laughing. “Modest and meek? I don’t think so,” I tease.

He gasps, feigning offense even as his eyes shine with mischief. “You wound me, my Lady. Do you not like my singing?” He tips up his chin in a mock imperious look. “I believe I have a rather exceptional voice, if I do say so myself.”

“Perhaps.” I laugh and decide to tease him in return. “Though your songwriting leaves much to be desired.”

“And yet, you're smiling.” He arches a playful brow. “Admit it, you're thoroughly charmed by my song and my singing voice.”

“Hardly.” I bite back a grin. “I'm merely amused by your lack of musical talent.”

His mouth falls open in pretend shock before he heaves a dramatic sigh. “You’ve wounded my artistic soul, and I fear I may never recover.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be just fine,” I joke in return.

He chuckles, the rich sound vibrating through his chest, warming something deep inside me.

Finik peeks his head out of my dress pocket and my heart stops as he leaps onto a nearby tree. Panic spirals through me as I realize just how high up we still are.

Ren’s singing had been so distracting, I’d almost forgotten what we were doing. But now that I’ve been reminded, I bury my face in his chest and tighten my hold on him, shivering.

“It’s all right.” He nuzzles the top of my head. “We’re almost there. I promise I have you, Rapunzel.”

Despite his soothing words, my heart is still racing.

“Would you like to hear the rest of the song?” he asks, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Unable to speak, I nod against him.

He draws in a deep breath and begins singing again.

“Through moonlit woods, he bravely strides,

adventure following where'er he glides.

A wink, a grin, and a roguish glance,

leaves every heart in a dizzying trance.

Oh, clever fox, handsome and brave—”

Soft laughter escapes me, my anxiety slowing melting away as I listen to his ridiculously funny song.

“Are you laughing at me again?” he asks in mock offense.

I chuckle. “Don’t forget to mention how modest and meek the clever fox is.”

“That just so happens to be the next line,” he jokes.

I laugh even more.

“You can let go now,” he murmurs. “We’re on the ground.”

“Truly?” I ask, unable to force myself to peel away from him.

He gives me a reassuring squeeze as his other hand cups my chin, tipping my face up to his. Warm amber eyes meet mine. “You’re safe.”

Slowly, I unwind myself from his body, his strong hands gripping my waist as he sets my feet on the ground. I study him a moment. “Did you sing that song to distract me so I wouldn’t be so afraid?”

He lifts one brow. “Did it work?”

My heart flutters as he flashes a handsome grin. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Ren gives a firm tug to my hair and the braid slips from the hook at the top, dropping to the ground beside us.

He takes a small step closer to me, his eyes searching mine.

“First of all, I want you to know I adore everything about you.” My face warms as he takes my hand and presses a tender kiss to my knuckles before he continues.

“But I think we might want to consider trimming your hair for our journey,” he says a bit hesitantly. “What do you think?”

Oh, how I wish it were possible, but it’s not. “We can’t.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

“It’s part of my curse. It’s somehow tied to the witch’s magic and cannot be cut. I’ve tried it many times.”

“All right.” He nods. “We’ll just have to take great care to keep it from catching on anything.”

Finik climbs up my dress and onto my shoulder. He twitches his little nose, and Ren reaches out and strokes his fur with one finger. “Glad to have you go with us.” He smiles. “I think you’ll make an excellent addition to our party, my little friend.”

I love that he includes Finik like this. He’s been my constant companion these past three years and means the world to me.

Ren smiles and offers me his hand. “Shall we go on an adventure, my amira?”

Despite all that has happened, I can hardly contain my excitement. I’m finally leaving. I’m going to see and experience the world outside. And, if the gods are with me, I’ll find a way to regain my memories, reclaim my life, and find my family.

Softly biting my lower lip, I slip my palm into his. “Yes.”