Page 25

CHAPTER 25

F ather wearily rubbed his temples, eyes closed as I finished explaining everything. After shifting to his human form and giving his side of the story on the journey back, Pollox had retired to the corner of Father’s study and was reading so silently that I’d nearly forgotten he was there as I regaled Father with my tale.

“That’s about it,” I finished. “You and Griffin arrived at the tower, and you know the rest.”

There was a slight chink as Father pulled off his crown and placed it on the table. “You ran away because of what I decreed?”

“I did.”

He shook his head. “I was wrong for that. I’ve been blinded by greed for years, and I’m sorry I wasn’t the father you deserved.”

“Well, I was hardly an easy-to-manage daughter,” I pointed out with a slight smile. “It’s all right now.”

Father continued shaking his head. “No, it’s not all right. I neglected my own daughter and drove you away because of my selfishness. The people in the kingdom have been suffering because of me, and I haven’t been the ruler they deserve.”

“It’s not all your fault,” Pollox said from the corner. He stuck a finger into the book to mark his place as he crossed the room. “The blood curse had a powerful hold on you.” I glanced down at the worn cover to discover that it was the farmer’s guidebook on harvesting a wife that Pollox had told me about before. I bit back a smile.

Father had also noticed the title but wasn’t as successful at hiding his surprise. His eyebrows jumped up to wrinkle his forehead. “You’re…serious about my daughter, are you?” he asked Pollox, eyes darting down to the book.

“I wouldn’t be reading this if I weren’t,” Pollox answered, waving the book in the air without the slightest trace of embarrassment. “This chapter is called ‘Milking the Moment: Knowing When to Hold Her Hand and When to Hold Your Horses.’”

Father let out a noise of disgust and closed his eyes. “I don’t want to know.”

Pollox quirked his eyebrow. “Aren’t you single? You should want to know how to woo a woman. I could let you borrow?—”

“I’d rather not know the specifics of what you are doing to…woo my daughter,” Father interrupted, trying valiantly to muster every ounce of dignity he could. “That’s something that should be kept just between you two.”

“Humans,” Pollox huffed. “They have so many rules about what you can and can’t say to different people.”

“I’ll explain it to you later,” I said with a laugh. “And for what it’s worth, I’ve read many great works of literature, but I think that this book is one of the finest. It’s a true masterpiece that should be treasured.”

“A dragon,” Father sighed. “My daughter is being courted by a dragon.” He looked up at me. “Does he make you happy?”

“Very. The happiest I’ve been in a long time.”

“Then I’m glad for you.” Father smiled at me. There was a warmth to his eyes that I hadn’t seen in years. “I promise to be a better father from now on, and Pollox is welcome here.”

“I’m glad you’re back to being yourself,” I told him, heart bursting with joy. “I’ve missed you. The real you.”

Father hugged me. “I’ve been a dreadful king and an even worse father. But that is changing today. I’m planning to turn the kingdom over to you. You’ll be a better ruler than I ever was. The future of Rookwyn is yours to mold.”

I pulled back. “Are you sure? You’re better now. You could still?—”

“I’m sure. You are just the sort of queen the people need right now.”

Pollox slipped his hand into mine. “Rapunzel excels at caring for her hoard. She will be an exceptional queen.”

“I’ll begin the paperwork,” Father told me. “It will take some time, but we will turn this around.” He looked at where Pollox held my hand. “Are you planning to tell the people about your shifting?”

Pollox’s fingers tensed around mine. “No,” he said firmly. “It isn’t just my own identity at stake. I won’t compromise our race’s secrets by revealing myself to an entire kingdom’s population.”

“So you’re planning to remain human from now on?”

“Also no,” Pollox answered without hesitation. “If I couldn’t fly again, it would kill me. We can put out word that the mighty Princess Rapunzel tamed the dragon and he now does her bidding.”

“But we can’t have you fly to the castle grounds then vanish,” Father pointed out. “Everyone would figure it out.”

“We could set up the wardrobe to have a passage between the cave and here,” I told Pollox. “That way you could fly back to the cave as a dragon then transport here in your human form without anyone knowing.”

“And we announce that you are being courted by…?” Father asked.

“A sorcerer,” Pollox supplied immediately. “Anytime I’m in this form, I can accompany Rapunzel and enchant things for those in need, or else fly here as a dragon and accompany her that way.”

“If that’s what you want…” Father said hesitantly.

“It’s what I want,” Pollox stated.

“And if it’s all right with my daughter.”

I could have glowed with happiness. “It’s perfect.”

“Then that is what we’ll do. Go on, then, I’ll begin the process.”

Pollox and I walked down the hallway, hand in hand. Pollox held my cool hand against his cheek. “You’re just the right temperature for me. Fire and ice balance each other perfectly.” He allowed our hands to drop and swing back and forth between us as we walked. “Thank you for agreeing to protect my secret,” he said. “I know it’s less convenient for you this way.”

“Hey, you’re part of my hoard. I’ll always protect you and what matters to you.”

“As I will for you. You’ve claimed the kingdom, and I’ve claimed you, so we can protect the kingdom together.” His eyes flamed orange, but I didn’t see the greed of a hoarder, but the devotion of a guardian. This was a man—a dragon—who would do everything in his power to protect me and my kingdom. “Rookwyn will thrive,” he said, his voice steady. “Not as a prize, but as part of the legacy we will build together. I will defend it against any who dare threaten its peace. Not because I covet it, but because I care for what you care for. I love you, Rapunzel. You’re the prize jewel in my hoard.”

“And I love you, you fire-breathing menace.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m glad to be a part of your hoard.”

“And you have my heart forever.” Pollox swept me into a kiss so heated that it wrapped around me, not scorching, not searing—just consuming, and his kiss felt like an inferno I never wanted to escape.