Page 13

RAPUNZEL

F rantic, I scan all around us, but I don’t see him.

“He must have fallen out of your pocket when we were rolling down the hill.” Ren’s voice is tight with worry. “Surely, he—”

The buzzing outside stops and a faint series of squeaks fills the airs.

“What is it?”

Ren narrows his eyes. “It’s the Hive Queen. She says Finik is outside with them, and she wants to speak with us.”

My concern is quickly replaced by protective anger, and my magic flares to life again in my palms. “Tell her that if she hurt him, I’ll—”

Another series of squeaks sounds outside and Ren turns to me. “She says he’s fine.”

“Prove it.” I grit through my teeth. “Because I swear if he’s harmed—”

Several more squeaks cut me off and Ren arches a quizzical brow. “She says that he takes his afternoon tea with an extra spoonful of honey and his favorite food is the almond cake you make once a week.”

My shoulders sag in relief. “It’s him.”

With a flick of my wrist, I direct my magic to pull back some of the vines so we can see outside. Several golden lights hover around us, but the closest one has a slight pinkish tint to it.

As it draws closer, I notice the Pixie is wearing a golden crown nestled in her dark red hair and a blush-colored dress that matches her fluttering wings. The Queen gestures behind her, and I see Finik sitting on the ground, feasting on a pile of hazelnuts that have been placed all around him.

Her dark eyes meet mine, and her lips pull back in a smile that flashes a hint of her sharp fangs before she dips her head in a small bow.

I do the same, and then she turns to Ren, his ears flicking forward in attention as she speaks in her high-pitched voice.

“I apologize,” he says. “You aren’t even remotely similar to gnats.” He flashes a winning smile. “More like regal, majestic beings—protectors of the forest.”

I bite back a laugh as the Queen rolls her eyes and shakes her head. She turns to me and begins speaking again.

Ren nods and then translates. “She has magnanimously agreed to forgive my insults, and allow us safe passage through their territory, if you will please do her a favor.”

I blink. “What does she want?”

“Their hive tree was damaged by a severe storm. She was wondering if you could speed along its healing with your magic.”

“I… I’m not sure it will work, but I can definitely try,” I offer.

She nods in agreement.

It doesn’t take long to reach the ancient tree. I notice that its branches seem a bit bare and the leaves that remain are drooping and a sickly shade of green. A long dark scar along the bark catches my eye and I’m assuming it must have been the result of some sort of lightning strike.

My fingertips tremble as I place my hand against the rough bark. Closing my eyes, I exhale slowly, feeling the pulse of my magic stir deep within my chest. Heat tingles through my palm, spreading outward, weaving into the tree's heart like threads of light.

Ren inhales sharply beside me, and I open my eyes as fresh buds begin to sprout, vibrant green leaves unfurling, branches thickening, regaining strength and vitality as the deep scar on the side begins to fill in with new growth.

I take a small step back, my hands dropping to my sides. I’m exhausted. Using my magic always makes me tired, but as I gaze at the Hive tree and the Pixies swarming around it, I’m glad I could help.

The Pixie Queen squeaks, darting rapidly back and forth in the air. Her tiny wings buzzing with excitement. She motions to a few of her subjects, and they give us a large bag full of hazelnuts for Finik.

We thank the Pixie Queen and turn to leave, but she zips in front of us, speaking again to Ren.

“Yes, we’re aware,” he says grimly. “And I’d appreciate it immensely if you would find a way to direct her in the opposite direction of our travel.”

“What is she saying?” I ask, curious.

“She was warning us that there is a Goblin witch in this part of the woods that disguises herself as a human.”

My mouth drifts open. She’s talking about Glinda. I mean… Drusilla, I think to myself.

“She took me from my family and stole my memories,” I tell the Queen. “She held me captive, but Ren helped free me.”

“We’re worried she may come after us,” he adds.

The Queen gestures to me as she speaks, and Ren shakes his head. “No, she is not part Goblin. But her magic came from one. The same one that held her captive.” He pauses, listening to her before he says, “Yes, it was a healing spell gone wrong. It siphoned some of the witch’s powers.”

The Pixie’s movements grow even more animated as she points at me, talking to Ren.

His face pales. “Is there anything we can do?” he asks her.

Worry slithers down my spine. “What is she saying? What are you talking about?”

He turns to me, expression grim. “She says that because your magic came from Goblin, she will be able to track you if she is close enough.”

“How close?”

The Pixie Queen shakes her head and then says something else to Ren. “She’s not sure,” he says, “But like calls to like, and since your magic is the same as hers we need to get as much distance from the witch as we can.” He gives me a pointed look. “We need to leave.”

“But I don’t know where to go,” I tell him. “I don’t remember anything from before. I—” I glance at the Pixie Queen and give her a pleading look. “I have a family out here somewhere and I need to get back to them. But I don’t recall where I’m from. Do you know how to restore my memories?”

Closing her eyes, she raises her hand. Pink magic threads between her fingers before it moves toward me, surrounding me like wisps of smoke. When she opens her eyes again, she gestures to my satchel.

When I open it, she flutters closer and points at my sketchbook. When I pull it out, she opens it, turning the pages to a couple—a man with dark hair and kind brown eyes and a woman with silver-white hair and blue eyes, like my own. I’ve dreamed of them many times. I think they’re my parents.

She flips to another image, and my face heats in embarrassment. It's one of me, standing before a mirror, wearing an elegant blue gown with embroidered silver flowers shaped like stars scattered across the bodice. I look every bit like one of the regal princesses from my favorite stories.

The Pixie Queen gives me a sympathetic look as she speaks.

“She says the truth is locked inside your mind.” Ren translates. “She says you are beginning to remember.”

Hope sparks in my chest. “Does this mean they’ll come back soon?”

She gives me a sad look, and Ren’s eyes are full of pity as he translates, “It may be days or even years,” he says. “They will either return or they won’t.”

My chest tightens as I give her a subtle bow. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

Although I didn’t find the answer I was hoping for, I still discovered something.

The Queen speaks to Ren and he looks over at me. “She says they will do all that they can to slow Drusilla down and misdirect her if she crosses their path.” He turns back at her and dips his chin in a subtle bow and thanks her again.

As we walk away, determination fills me. I have a family out there somewhere… parents who love me. No matter what happens, I will find out the truth about who I am. And I will do whatever it takes to find my way back to them.