I opened my mouth to voice what I had been rationalizing inside my mind. But before I could utter a single word, I was silenced by the crushing of his lips against mine. I closed my eyes and the sounds of the forest disappeared.
I felt weightless. I could float away, past the clouds and beyond the moon. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world to be kissed, to be wanted. But it wasn't Henry.
John slowly pulled away, still cupping my face. He whispered, “I can't wait for us to begin our new life.”
I had to tell him.
“We'll always remember this moment for as long as we live.” As if that wasn't enough, he added, “I love you. I know we've only known each other for a short time, but it's true. I love you.”
“John, I have to tell you something.” If only it didn't have to be this way for him.
“Can it wait? Shouldn't we get going?” John glanced at the castle. I was sure he wanted to put as much distance between it and us as possible.
I shook my head and slid my hand into his. The sooner he knew, the better. He needed to leave this place, get far away. He'd be better off. I could only hope we’d remain friends.
“John,” I shook my head. “I can't go with you. I need to stay here.”
John took a few steps away from me. I felt awful. I hurt him.
“Why not? I thought you wanted a life. A real life. I could give that to you.”
I took a deep breath. “Henry is alive. I can't leave him. I love him.”
John’s face darkened. “Look, Rapunzel, you don't have to make up a story. You could just tell me you aren’t interested. I don't need to hear any more stories.” John turned away and shoved his hands into his pockets. “All I ever wanted was the truth.”
“It's true. Henry is the dragon. I didn't find out until last night. And Gretta knew about it.” He had to believe me.
“You seriously think I'm going to believe that Henry is the dragon?” John laughed. “How did you find out? Did you suddenly learn to speak dragon?”
“I'm telling you the truth!” I hissed. “I can't explain it, but it's true! He's been watching me from the hillside as a man. At night he turns into the dragon.”
“If this is true, then why did he wait ‘til now to come out? Why did he not come forward and tell you he was still alive?” John was making fun of me again, just like he did when we first met.
“If he sees my face, he turns into a dragon.” Tears of frustration streamed down my face. Of all the people I wanted to believe me, it was John, and now he had let me down. I thought I could trust him with the truth. I was wrong. Again.
“And, if it’s true…if Henry really is the dragon…” John tone dripped with sarcasm. “Never mind.” He shook his head. Defeated.
“What? What do you want to say to me?” My fists balled at my sides. Nothing he could say could hurt me. I had my Henry back.
“Have you not connected the dots?” John raised his eyebrows. “If Henry is the dragon, then he killed Luke.”
My heart stopped beating. How had I not realized—
A loud cackle erupted near the edge of the forest. I narrowed my eyes and scanned the area. Where was she? Only the shadows of frightened animals were there.
As the fluttering wings of birds and small animals cleared, I found the source of the laugh. The witch. She'd found me. There she stood at the other end of the clearing. Her wicked glare revealed the tragedy about to unfold.
“How could you? How dare you try to leave me again? I thought we had an understanding, Rapunzel. I think it's time our agreement was finally satisfied. Once and for all.” she said. With another eerie cackle, she raised her outstretched hands above her shoulders, pointing them toward the sky, and started chanting strange words. The slow rhythm of her words increased after each pause.
It was happening again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
“Run!” John screamed, his eyes widening. “Run!” When I didn't move, confusion washed over his face. He couldn't hide his emotions in the light of the moon.
The witch's chanting grew louder and louder. The air churned as a storm began to brew. The whistling winds howled through the trees. A dark and haunting thunder roared in the distance, growing closer by the second. Broken branches, twigs, and leaves began swirling through the air. This wasn't a typical storm. It was a witch's brew.
John didn't understand what was happening. How could he? But I did.
My heartbeat threatened to pound right out of my chest. How could I stop what was unfolding right before my eyes for a second time?
My ears rang with the sound of my thumping heart. Why couldn't I move? Fear constricted my body like a snake. My lungs were crushed as the weight of regrets and responsibility squeezed the life out of me. My stomach boiled. It would empty soon.