My Name is Rapunzel(76)

No, the dress was meant to be the beginning of a wonderful new life—a promise. It was meant to be my wedding dress, a symbol of my undying love for Henry. But now, it served as a painful reminder of a once happy life. A life I could have had with Henry, a life that was stolen from me.

A life I would never have. Especially now.

I pulled the gown from the armoire and slipped it on for Henry. It felt wonderful next to my skin. It had been a full year since I had worn it. I wanted Henry to see me in this dress like always, even if it was through the window. I smiled at myself in the mirror and watched my smile fade as reality crowded out my joy again.

I dove into my bed and pulled the covers up to my chin.

I awoke from a dreamless sleep and it was twilight outside. An entire day had passed?

Henry would be out flying soon. I'm sure he wondered where I was this morning and why I didn't go to the mailbox. John would be waiting by the stream, only to be disappointed when I didn't show up.

I picked up the metal trinket box on my nightstand and threw it as hard as I could across the room. It hit the engraved star on the right side of the fireplace and shattered.

But…wait? Did the stone move? There was no way the weight of that little box had forced a stone to move. Yet it had.

I jumped to my feet and ran to the fireplace. I ran my fingers over the engraved stars. “Look to the stars.” I whispered. What did you mean by that, Father? Placing both hands on the stone, I pushed as hard as I could. I heard a creaking noise, then a popping sound. I jumped back when a section of the stone wall next to the fireplace opened up to reveal a secret passage.

I lit a candle and held it into the darkness. Cobwebs were strewn throughout the cold space. Steps descended to who knew where. This was my way out. How had Father known?

I scurried to my bedroom door and locked the knob and latched the deadbolt. Gretta would never know I was gone. If she came looking for me, she would think I was only ignoring her.

My descent down the secret passageway steps was slow. The steps were barely wide enough to hold one foot. I felt the walls squeezing in on me like a closing coffin.

Breathe. Breathe.

I held the candle in one hand and placed my other against the wall to keep my balance. If I fell, nobody would find me. I had to be careful. Finally I reached the bottom of the steps and noticed a lever. Pulling up on the lever made a small part of the stone wall, no bigger than a porthole, open outward.

I blew out the candle and set it aside, then pushed on the wall. The opening had been concealed by bushes and vines, which were planted far enough away so the door would open enough to allow someone to enter or exit.

Quietly, I slid through the opening and listened as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Silence. That was a good thing. I found a lever on the outside of the opening, tucked inside a stone. That would allow me re-entry if I needed it, though I hoped to God I never would. I pushed the heavy door closed.

First, I had to tell John that I wouldn't be leaving with him. He would most likely be sad, but he should understand. When a girl loves someone for 250 years, that love isn’t going to disappear.

Now, I had to make my way to the stream without being seen. The full moon would light the way. As long as Gretta wasn't watching, I’d be fine. It was nearly dark and Henry would be out soon. I needed to hurry.

I stayed close to the castle walls until I reached the end. Gretta's quarters were on the other end, but I'm sure she'd stayed up late that night to see if I obeyed her.

I darted across the expanse and made it to stream.

John knelt beside the stream. Tying his shoelace when I arrived.

“John.” A tiny squeal escaped my lips. I tried to be the proper and reserved young lady I was brought up to be, but Henry was alive and I’d be seeing him soon! I bounced on my toes and slung my arms around John's neck. I was so happy to see him, like he’d been my brother.

“Rapunzel, you came!” John's hands sought comfort on the sides of my face and he gazed into my eyes with such fervor I could nearly feel it with every passing beat of my heart. We were dangerously close. The warmth of his breath collided with the wintry nature of night I'd felt only moments before, as it caressed my cheek, hinting at what was sure to come next. Was he going to kiss me? No, I couldn't let that happen. I loved Henry. I had to let him down easy.

“You’re wearing a wedding dress.” John looked me over, head to toe, like a groom on his wedding day.

“Oh, John. I forgot…” I couldn't believe I wore the dress. What a cruel mistake. I needed to tell him about Henry. What if he didn’t believe me?

John’s eyes were dark with deep longing as he leaned toward me.

I couldn’t wait another moment. I had to tell him.