Ravishing Rapunzel (Passion-Filled Fairy Tales, #6)(36)

Garrett scrutinized his brother a moment, his brown eyes staring right through Bradyn, as if he could see into his soul. Finally, he said, “Fine, then, but you’re to come home today and explain yourself to father. We should leave now.”

Bradyn shook his head. “Not now,” he said. “I have to meet her.”

“Father does not want to wait.”

“Then tell him you couldn’t find me. Tell him I’d already gone by the time you arrived, and you had to wait for me to come back. I’ll be back in just a few hours, and I’ll have Rapunzel with me.”

Garrett crinkled his brows. “Why would you have plants?”

“Not the plant, the girl. The girl I met in the woods all those years ago. I’ve found her again.”

A look of recognition dawned on him. “So, my advice paid off,” he said.

“Indeed,” Bradyn said.

Garrett glanced out the window at the bright sun. “I suppose it’s early enough that they’ll believe you weren’t here when I arrived. Alright. Go meet Rapunzel, and we shall return home later tonight.”



*

Bradyn practically skipped through the forest, so eager was he to take Rapunzel with him. When he got to the edge of the clearing, he paused to look for their signal. The shade in her room was positioned properly. The crazy, wicked mother was gone. He was glad for it. He loved Rapunzel, but the notion that her mother was mystically powerful made him want to laugh.

Rapunzel was sweet in many ways, but too sheltered here in this tower. Once he’d gotten her back home with him, he could show her the world, show her the many people. Show her that the maidens’ tales of demon fairies who helped them seek revenge were just that — old stories meant to scare. Old stories meant to frighten off men who would take advantage. He would know. He’d seen the men who sweet talked women. He even could have been one, if he hadn’t been so besotted with Rapunzel. But the ladies he picked required no talk at all. The prospect of a good time was all that was needed for the dames he selected.

He sighed. He’d been too wild back then. He was glad to have found Rapunzel. She was his heart. And in a few hours, he’d bring his heart back to his kingdom. She’d meet his family, and they would adore her. He hoped she wouldn’t be bothered when she saw Garrett in town. The change in plans wasn’t ideal, but perhaps Garrett’s presence would work out. Perhaps it would even reassure Rapunzel. She’d been concerned her mother would try to stop them. Once they got back to town, there’d be three of them. Surely an old woman could not stop two able-bodied men.

The rope was securely looped and hitched over his shoulder as he jogged to the tower. When he got beneath the tower window, he called out, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.”

He wished she’d let him leave the rope with her. Even though she insisted she didn’t mind it, it seemed harsh to use a person’s hair as a climbing device. Though he had to admit, he’d enjoyed being lassoed with hit the other day. That was something they’d have to do again.

He reached the windowsill fine, but almost lost his balance and fell out when he saw the old hag standing there instead of Rapunzel. He followed the length of braid in his hand until it ended and saw it was tied to the iron loop. Looking around the room, Rapunzel was nowhere to be found.

He felt a rush of anger as he climbed through the window and deposited himself on the floor. The woman had clearly cut off Rapunzel’s braid to fool him, so she had to know about them.

His anger mixed with worry, as he stepped toward the woman, his back stiff, trying to maintain his full height and look imposing. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know,” the old woman said, though she didn’t look or sound like she meant it. Her voice was defiant and a sneer marred her face. “Who are you looking for, young man?”

He sneered right back. “Don’t play games with me, old woman,” he barked. “You heard me call for Rapunzel and you threw down her braid. Where is she? What have you done with her?”

The older woman cackled beneath her red cloak. Then her eyes, they ... they started to glow.

Bradyn wasn’t sure exactly what he was seeing, and he felt a prickle of fear in his chest. This was not natural. This was demonic, he thought. He blinked, hoping to clear his vision, hoping what was happening before him would stop. But that didn’t help. Her eyes still glowed, and it felt as if the air inside the room had tightened. If felt harder to breathe. Rapunzel had been right. This woman was some kind of sorceress. He took a step back, away from her.

“You care not where Rapunzel went,” the old woman spat. “You came only to sully her and trick her. I’ll have no more of it, and you’ll pay for what you have done.”

Bradyn shook his head, and even though he was frightened of this fire-eyed sorceress, he knew he had to explain. “I love Rapunzel,” he said. “More than anything. I’ve come back here to take her home with me, to marry her.”

The witch cackled. “You’ll do nothing of the sort. Rapunzel is gone, away from your wicked grip. Once she realizes that you’re not coming for her, she’ll denounce you. She’ll curse your name, and she’ll know I was right.”

Blasphemy. “How dare you,” he spat, the words coming out before he could think through the repercussions. “You’re evil.”