Ravishing Rapunzel (Passion-Filled Fairy Tales, #6)(17)
She hesitated a moment, but then nodded.
“Good,” he said. “And I’d like to hear about your world here.”
Chapter 9 – FaeRisen
These had been the best days of Rapunzel’s entire life. Bradyn had spent the whole of yesterday and all this morning with her. She’d told him about her life in the tower, about her mother’s rooftop garden. He’d told her story after story about life at the castle. He’d said he was the prince, but it was hard for her believe. Princes in story books were always so stilted and formal. But Bradyn laughed and cheered and carried on with such silliness. He was handsome and carefree and kind, oh, so kind.
They’d spent a little more than a day together, but she felt like she’d spent an eternity looking into those crystal blue eyes, ones that seemed to sparkle just for her. That dimple in his cheek was so charming, it made her insides tingle. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. She wanted more of it.
She’d told him at midday that he’d have to leave, that they could take no chance of Mother Gothel finding him there. He’d agreed, and said he’d return the following day. “There’s a window on the other side of the tower,” she told him. “It’s a little higher, and it’s my room. If the curtain is closed, my mother is still here. If it is open, then you can come back. Remember, she mustn’t find you here.”
He’d smiled and said, “I will do whatever it takes to spend time with you, my sweet Rapunzel.” Then, to her surprise, he’d pulled her close, slipping his hand around her back, pressed her tight to him, and kissed her. His lips had been soft and plush as he pressed them to hers, her heart speeding beneath her chest and her mind becoming foggy of all thoughts unrelated to him. His tongue tasted sweet from the muffins they’d eaten that morning. His kiss left her lightheaded. She swooned as they separated, and he grinned as he stared at her.
“I hope you weren’t offended,” he offered.
She shook her head.
“Good,” he said. “I’ll see you after your mother leaves again. You think she’ll only stay a day?”
Rapunzel nodded. Her mother rarely stayed with her more than a day or two. Too many wicked people out in the world for her to deal with. She nodded and hurried over to send her braid through the iron loop so he could leave.
He shimmied down quickly and gently, seeming to take extra care not to pull too hard on her hair. She appreciated that. And then he was off.
Rapunzel took great care to clean up after he left, making sure to rid the tower of any signs that he’d been present — from washing the extra dirty dishes to fluffing cushions that looked a little too depressed from him sitting on them.
When her mother returned, Rapunzel tried to behave normally. She asked her mother about where she’d been, and Gothel went on about a cad in a town who she’d witnessed beating the lass he supposedly loved. Her mother rambled on about the depravity of people. Rapunzel pretended to dutifully listen, nodding her head in the appropriate places, but her mind was still on Bradyn.
Usually, when Mother Gothel finished one of her tales, she would pat Rapunzel’s knee and say, “I’m so thankful you’re not out there among the wretchedness.” But today, still bathed in the glow of new companionship, Rapunzel slipped up and spoke her first thoughts when her mother had finished the tale. “Surely there must be some good people out there, mother? If you looked for them, you’d find them, wouldn’t you?”
Mother Gothel’s face tightened and she narrowed her eyes at Rapunzel. “What’s wrong with you today?” she asked, scrutinizing the girl. “You’ve been acting strange ever since I’ve been back.”
Rapunzel swallowed, biting back the worry that her mother would catch on that she’d had a visitor. She waved her off. “I’m not sure what you mean, Mother,” she said, trying to look earnest. “I’m the same as always.”
Gothel’s face didn’t relax. Instead she stared harder at the girl. “You shouldn’t lie to your mother.”
Rapunzel heaved a sigh, and quickly an idea popped in her head. “Well, it’s Auntie,” she said.
“Giselle?”
Rapunzel nodded. “She’s wonderful and kind,” she said.
Gothel waited for Rapunzel to say more, but Rapunzel stared at her mother a bit longer. “And?”
“Well,” Rapunzel admitted, furrowing her brow. “That’s just it. She’s kind and helpful, and the books she sends me, they often have kind people in them. Why do you never meet such people in your travels, mother? Surely you and Auntie and people in story books can’t be the only kind souls in the world.”
Gothel let out a sigh and shook her head in exasperation. She took Rapunzel’s hand and patted it. “Dear child,” she said. “You’re getting older and wondering more about your place in the world. Well, I think your place in the world may be like mine.”
Rapunzel scrunched up her face, uncertain where her mother was headed with her conversation.
“You know I help people, right?”
Rapunzel nodded. “Yes mother, I know you help young maidens. You help them stay safe in a world filled with bad people. Recently, you helped a young woman with a cruel mate who beat her.”
Gothel smiled. “Yes, I help them. I go to a town, set up shop in a local place, and watch to see what happens. Sometimes it takes long weeks of watching, and other times it’s almost immediate. But I watch and learn and wait for the one who needs help to present herself to me. And then I help her using magic. I always come back to check on you, but I safeguard these other maidens, too.”