Ravishing Rapunzel (Passion-Filled Fairy Tales, #6)(38)

She pulled free of Mother Gothel and said, “The only one I curse is you.”

Gothel, the red of her cloak only half visible beneath the snowflakes now covering it, stepped back, as if she’d been slapped by the words. “Child, look at yourself,” she said. “Look what he’s done to you.”

Rapunzel shook her head. “He’s done nothing to me,” she said, patting her huge belly, “except love me and give me this wonderful child to care for. It is you who kicked me out of my home. It is you who did not tell him where I was.”

“He never came to find out,” Gothel spat.

But everything about her face said that was a lie. Everything in Rapunzel’s heart knew it was a lie. “What did you tell him when he came for me?”

Gothel shook her head.

“Did you tell him I was with child? Does he know about the baby?”

Gothel’s lips remained clamped shut.

“Did you hurt him?”

Her eyes looked down into the snow.

Rapunzel’s heart sank as she realized the answer. “You did, didn’t you? Why, mother, why?”

“He doesn’t deserve you,” she said finally. “He is an ass, like all the other men out there.”

“Like the man who hurt you?” Rapunzel asked.

“I never said a man hurt me,” Gothel said, her voice softer.

“Only a woman hurt by a man in some unfathomable way could see such evil in every other person. But Bradyn isn’t like that. He’s kind and good. And what kind of mother are you, anyway?”

Gothel placed a hand to her chest as if in shock. “I’m a good mother.”

“You lied to me about being sick.”

“To protect you.”

“You kicked me out when I needed you most.”

“To show you that you were wrong, so you could see.”

“And you know what I’ve seen?” Rapunzel said, standing. “I’ve seen that you were right about some people. That some are cruel and vile and some judge you for things they have no right to judge you for. Things that are none of their business. But I have also seen kindness.”

“I have never said there wasn’t kindness anywhere, Rapunzel, just that it was rare.”

Rapunzel laughed, one that managed to sound as cold as the day around them. “You know nothing of kindness, or motherhood. Even though my babe isn’t born, I would never hurt it the way you have hurt me. You are nothing but a bitter, brooding woman.”

“How dare you,” Gothel said, and her eyes started to glow.

“Yes, are you going to hurt me mother? Me and my innocent babe? Are you going to hurt me to show me how good you are and how wrong I am?”

Gothel stood there, her eyes still glowing but her body unmoving. “I wouldn’t hurt you,” she said, the glow in her eyes dimming.

“You already have,” Rapunzel said. “But, the past is in the past.” She looked up at the falling snow and out onto the road. She’d come so far, so very far from the life she led. This new life wasn’t perfect, but seeing Mother Gothel reminded her that the old one had been far from perfect, too. She needed to forge ahead, to retain her faith in the world. And she needed to find Bradyn, too. Who knew what Mother Gothel had done to him?

She started to walk.

“Where are you going?” Gothel asked.

“I’m moving on, mother. I’m leaving you behind. I’m leaving the bad behind and only looking to the future.”

“Wait,” Gothel said, but Rapunzel kept walking, hearing the trailing voice of the woman. “I can help you.”

“Then help,” Rapunzel called back. “Help because you love me. If you only want to help because you think you’ve beaten down my spirit and that I will follow your orders like a prized dog, then don’t help. I have seen true love, mother and what you’re offering isn’t it.”

She kept walking, hoping she might here her mother’s footfalls following after. That she might regret what she’d done and finally aid Rapunzel, as a true mother would. Alas, there were no such sounds. Only her footsteps moving forward.

*

Rapunzel bundled herself against the cold weather, her steps growing ever livelier as she saw the oncoming town in the distance. This was the halfway point to her aunt’s village. Rapunzel knew her Aunt Giselle would never cast her out. She was closer than ever to her, and knew that if she could just get to her, she would have help. Yes, she could have tried Bradyn’s kingdom, but she wanted to get to her aunt first. She knew Giselle was the only voice of reason her mother listened to. If she could get her aunt to talk to Mother Gothel, perhaps she would tell her how to find Bradyn. This little town was closer to her aunt.

Rapunzel walked on, though her feet ached, her back was sore, and she needed more food. She waddled towards a little tavern that served meals. Rapunzel ordered salted meat and cider, using almost the last of her money. She’d be too poor to secure room and board in the next town if she didn’t find work. It was too cold to sleep outside, so she had to have something good happen here, or else she might starve before she reached her aunt. When the kindly woman serving brought the meal, Rapunzel asked, “Ma’am, do you know of any temporary work that might be had?”

The woman was old enough to be a mother herself, with dull blonde hair, a humble scowl, and green eyes. She seemed distant. She took a look at Rapunzel and shook her head. “Not in your condition, milady,” she said, though her tone wasn’t harsh. “Where’s your husband?”