My Name is Rapunzel(70)

I placed my feet against the wall and braced myself for his descent.

He disappeared out the window.

He was out of sight before something sprang up in my mind. What was that he’d said about Luke?





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE




Henry

My dragon heart sank as I watched the man climb out of the tower with the help of Rapunzel's beautiful hair. I’d always loved her hair and never dreamed another man would touch it. And, what’s worse, there was only one thing that would drive a man to climb up a tower in the late of night. Love.

Did this man love her? Had Rapunzel found someone and fallen in love? After all this time, she had finally forgotten about me and given her heart to someone else. I thought our love would last our lifetime. I thought I was her true love. But how could I ask her to stay committed to me, a man she’d never had, whom she didn’t even know still watched her from afar?

It was obvious Rapunzel didn't want to live here anymore. She wanted to leave Paradise Valley to be with this man. Someone she'd only known for a short time. I'd seen them together, and I'd seen them kiss on more than one occasion. She was supposed to stay with me forever. I was supposed to be the one she grew old with. Not this man!

Rapunzel was going to leave. I'd tried to protect her and kept people away from her, but I could only do so much. All these years, watching from the mailbox, spying in the garden, following from a distance as she went on her walks. But I could never tell her. How could I?

It's Rapunzel's birthday tomorrow. I have a sinking dread that this will be the last time I see her.

If it weren't for this blasted curse! To be safe in my hideous form, I only come out at night and the witch is always safe inside by then. Safe from me! I had not once caught her outside after dark. If I had caught her outside, just one time, I would have burned her to ashes. She was the one who cursed me. She was the one who turned me into a dragon. She was to blame!

What a cruel 250 years. I am a man for mere moments of time surrounded by endless hours as a fire-breathing dragon. I've watched over Rapunzel day after day, but this curse keeps our distance far apart, for if I see her face, I immediately return to my dragon form. But I’m a man. How can I not look on that face?

Every day I’ve watched her from the hillside. I wanted to wave back when she saw me the other day, but if I did, she would've tried to find me. If she had, she would've been face to face with an ugly dragon. I didn't want her to see me that way, ever. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of her beautiful face in the tower through my dragon eyes. I yearn for her touch, to hold her and to kiss her soft lips. And each night, when she lights the candle, I see her.

What a prison I’ve been in.

We've both been so lonely. I could see it in Rapunzel's eyes and the way she walks. In the late hours of the evenings, while Rapunzel sleeps, I settle my dragon body on top of the tower. I've heard her screams. Night after night, my name screeches from her lips. Her nightmares haunt me and keep me rooted to the past.

If only I could burn that evil witch. Given the chance, which there aren't many, I would gladly turn that witch into ashes. If I could have killed her, the curse might have been lifted years ago. I had always held that as our only hope, but I’ve failed.

How was I to know it was Anastasia standing at the stove that day? How was I to know Gretta was not at her usual post? And Luke. Why had he protected that evil wife of his? It wasn’t my fault that Luke died. Was it? Had I killed Rapunzel’s boy?

She could never know the truth.

If Rapunzel leaves, I will surely die of a broken heart.

I need to think of something to keep her here. Anything! But what?





CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR




For the first time, since moving my belongings to the tower, I hadn't had to light a candle. I couldn't hear the dragon's roar of anger. He knew I was safe inside. John's fake candle really worked. The dragon was pacified. I couldn't resist standing by the window since it had become a habit of mine after lighting the candle. I searched the sky looking for the dragon to catch a glimpse of his glimmering scales. It wouldn’t be long before I’d never see them again. I was going to miss this, but not enough to stay.

Scanning the sky, my eyes found comfort gazing at the garden. Maybe I could have a garden where John planned to take me. I wasn’t sure what this new life would hold for me, but it was time for a change. I had to try.

What was that? I peered into the darkness at a figure standing beyond the garden.

It was a man. The same man from the hillside! Who was he and why was he there? I'd never seen him this close before. He walked closer, but he kept his eyes focused on the ground.

Very strange.

I should tell Gretta. But wait. Where was the dragon? Had Gretta done something to the dragon? There was no way he would ever let anyone this close to my home. Something was wrong. I'd have to deal with this man myself.