“We’ll leave today,” Raj said, as if it was settled. “You may use the prince’s mare, as he won’t be able to travel. The horses are stabled in the village. If we leave today, we can make it to the village, gather the horses, and ride hard. I’ve traveled the road to the village near Spirit Woods many times, and I know the best inns. We should have no problem getting there—”
“Raj,” I interrupted. “I can’t.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because I can’t leave Rapunzel.”
He glanced at the girl on the bed, who stared at him with a distant gaze.
“She can’t be left alone for long periods of time. Plus, if High Sorcerer Varlocke found out, he’d hunt me down. It’s not possible for me to come.”
“Can’t someone else keep watch over her? You don’t understand—this quest doesn’t happen without you.”
“I wish I could, but I can’t leave the tower. Not only would Rapunzel suffer, but I would be executed.”
“But if you don’t, then you both remain here forever, the prince dies, and the high sorcerer destroys what’s left of our lands.”
I stepped away from him. I wasn’t expecting the rush of emotions. Could I just leave? Wouldn’t it be best for Rapunzel if I tried to break the spell? She was digressing faster than I wanted to admit. If the spell wasn’t broken, what would be left of her?
“I suppose I could use a spell to put her to sleep, but we’ll still have the problem of the high sorcerer. Once he finds out I’ve left the tower, he’ll send a squadron after me.”
“What if he doesn’t find out?”
“He will. Sometimes he sends squadrons to check on me. Other times he uses a spell to appear inside the tower at random times, just to make sure I’m here. He’ll know soon enough that I’ve left.”
“Then we’ll outrun them, or we’ll hide, or we’ll fight them if we must. I’ve had my fair share of experience with the high sorcerer’s squadrons.”
“You’ve fought them?”
“Yes, many times.”
“How?”
“With my sword, of course.”
I scrutinized him. Most who challenged the high sorcerer’s elite squadrons didn’t live to tell about it. “Are you being truthful?”
“I am. I give you my oath that I will protect you. You’ve no need to fear squadrons, Spirit Woods, Ice Mountains, or anything else of the sort. If you agree to help me find the shears and free Rapunzel and the prince, I will protect you with my last breath. That I swear.”
I stared at him, shocked at his admission. No one had ever sworn to protect me, and though I’d only just met him, somehow, I knew he meant it.
“Very well,” I said. “I will help you find the shears, but under one condition. I want Rapunzel to choose whether she’ll marry the prince. She doesn’t need to be forced into a marriage, or it might very well break her. I know you might not understand, but I won’t go on this quest unless you agree to it.”
“Then I agree. I wouldn’t want the marriage forced on her either.”
“Are you saying that to appease me?”
“No. I’m saying it because I agree. It’s not my wish to force a marriage on Rapunzel.”
“But… you’re an Outlander...”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
“Don’t your people arrange marriages?”
“We do.”
“And still you believe Rapunzel should choose?”
“Yes. Arranged marriages are an outdated notion anyway.”
Well, since we’d gotten that out of the way. “Fine. If that’s the case, I suppose I should pack up before we leave, but first, I’ll have to make a sleeping potion for Rapunzel.”
I eyed the princess, who laid propped on the pillows, staring out into space, as if she’d been oblivious that Raj and I were discussing her future marriage. Had she understood a word we’d said? How long had she’d gone without sleep?
“Rapunzel,” I said, “I’m going to make you a potion. It will make you sleep.”
Rapunzel frowned at me, her eyes narrowed.
“You need the rest anyway. You haven’t slept in a week.”
“I don’t want to sleep!”
“But you need to,” I said. “I have to go away for a little while, and I won’t be able to take care of you. It’s for the best.”
“No, no, no,” she screamed, pounding the mattress with her fists.
I went to her, careful not to trip on the hair, and sat beside her. Gently, I patted her shoulder. At my touch, she stopped screaming, and looked at me.
“No, no, no,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
I hugged her. Something inside me broke as I held her close, feeling her frail frame through her nightgown. She hadn’t always lived a life of isolation and insanity. If I went on this quest, I would be doing more than stopping a war. I would be returning a life to a friend.
“Be brave, Rapunzel. When you wake up, I’ll have the golden shears, and then we’ll cut your hair, and you’ll be free to move around again. How would you like to sit on the river bank with our feet buried in the sand like we used to do?”
She only shook her head as she sobbed into my shoulder.
Raj approached us. He moved a clump of hair off the bed and took a seat near Rapunzel’s feet. She glanced at him, then buried her head on my shoulder again.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, his voice calm, soothing, yet strong—the kind of voice that made you feel safe. “If we succeed, you’ll have your life back again. Would you like that?”
She only stared at him, then nodded once.
“Will you let me put you to sleep?” I asked.
She closed her eyes tight, tears making her lashes wet. She nodded.
Nerves pinched my insides. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. Was I being too hasty by agreeing to go on this quest with Raj—a stranger? I could easily be killed, and then what would happen
