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RAPUNZEL

M y heart is shattered. I’m not even sure where I’m going as I walk away from Ren. I only know that I need to get as far away from the pain as possible.

Tears blur my vision. It’s happening all over again. The familiar ache of betrayal twists through me, dragging up memories of Drusilla—all of her lies replaying in my mind.

Ren's deception is an even deeper devastation because he knows what I’ve been through. He looked me in the eyes, held me close, and made me believe I could trust him.

And still… he lied. Just like she did.

A broken sob escapes my lips as I stumble down another passageway. I thought I’d finally found a home here, but now I’m not so sure.

Pushing through a set of double doors, the crisp night air stings my skin as I step outside into the castle gardens. The scent of damp earth and night-blooming jasmine fills my lungs, and moonlight spills over the stone walkways, illuminating my path.

Finding a nearby bench, I collapse onto the cold wood as a flood of emotions overwhelms me. Leaning forward, I press my face into my palms, my shoulders shaking with quiet sobs as grief and betrayal threaten to swallow me whole.

I trusted Ren. With all my heart.

Footsteps crunch along the gravel path, and I don’t need to look to know who it is.

Ren.

His steps slow as he draws closer, hesitant to approach.

Lifting my head, I try to brush away my tears, but more fall to replace them.

Ren’s amber eyes, usually so full of mischief and warmth, are shadowed, haunted. “Rapunzel.” He drops to one knee before me. “I’m so sorry.”

“Tell me why you did it,” I demand, voice quavering. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

Ren lowers his head in shame. “Because I was afraid… terrified I would lose you.”

The breath leaves my lungs in a slow, unsteady exhale and a memory resurfaces in my mind. “ What if we found something about your past? What if we found evidence that you were betrothed to Prince Theron? What would you do?”

My stomach twists. “You should have told me.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I was selfish.” Ren’s anguished gaze holds mine. “I was a coward, Rapunzel. I worried that if you knew for sure that you were betrothed to Theron, I’d lose you. And I couldn’t—” His voice breaks. “I couldn’t bear it.”

“You hurt me, Ren.” I press a hand over my heart as if that will somehow dull the ache in my chest. “I gave you my heart, and you broke it, Ren.”

He flinches as if I’ve struck him. “I am so sorry that I hurt you, Rapunzel. I was wrong to keep the truth from you, and I will always regret it.” Silence stretches between us as his eyes search mine. “Can you ever forgive me?”

I let out a shuddering breath. I want to, but I’m not sure I can. The pain of his betrayal is still too raw. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

His entire body stiffens as devastation mars his face.

“I trusted you with all my heart.” My voice cracks beneath the weight of my sadness. “And you lied.”

“Please,” he pleads. “Tell me what I can do. I’ll do anything, Rapunzel. Anything.”

Sadness twists deep within but I force it back down as I meet his gaze evenly. “Take me to Prince Theron. I need to see him… to learn the truth about my past.”

His jaw tightens, and he bows his head, blinking back tears. “I will take you to Sylvalis,” he vows. “We’ll leave at first light.”

Unable to speak, I nod, even as my heart cracks a little more. I look away from him as emotions lodge in my throat. As much as I want to believe and trust him again, I’m not sure how I can. And that thought breaks me all over again.