Lightning shook the sky and struck the earth, sending shocks like an earthquake through the castle grounds. The dragon roared again and lifted his massive head until the moon framed it. The gunshot rang out. Gretta screamed.
It felt like slow motion, yet it happened so fast. Where was everyone? I pressed my hands over my ears to block out the ringing. I could finally move. I scrunched my eyes closed to keep from seeing what I didn't want to see.
I slumped to the ground. My legs no longer able to keep me upright. A man screamed. The dragon roared. The world went dark.
CHAPTER FORTY
Henry
She couldn’t be dead. That was impossible. She must be protected. I swooped over to John. Must be careful not to scare him. I needed him on my side…on Rapunzel’s side.
I got low to the ground in the space between John and the castle, as low as I could go to show my humble intentions. I meant him no harm. I just needed his help. I looked into his eyes with as gentle a face as a dragon could conjure. I tipped my head toward Rapunzel and then looked back at John.
Please, help me. Help us. If only dragons could speak.
John searched, then cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted into the wind. “Where's the witch?”
I soared up into the sky and scanned the area. She lay just beyond the tree line, crumpled in a heap. I clapped my wings and roared. John rushed to her side. He knelt down and leaned his face close to her ear. “You're going to die, Gretta. You will face your maker, if you have one. Do a good deed before you leave this Earth. Free Rapunzel. Free Henry.”
John swiped tears that fell from his eyes.
Of course, he loved her. How had I forgotten such a thing? What he asked the witch was pure sacrifice for himself. He loved Rapunzel enough to give her to me. But what was in it for him?
The witch raised her face and cackled. “You want me to free Henry?” she asked John, her sneer cold and cruel.
Oh, no. She was up to no good. No! Don't do it. I tried to shout, but it came out a roar.
John looked up at me and nodded. “Yes, Gretta, that's what I want.”
“Even though he will be with her?” The witch pointed her crooked finger at Rapunzel.
“Yes, even though he will be with her, I want him freed. She loves him, and I love her.”
“Oh, the tragedy. The heartache.” The witch looked at the moon and cackled. “As you wish.”
“No!” I screamed, but it came out a roar.
The witch raised her arm and pointed at me. She recited gibberish I never have understood, and then lifted her arms to the sky. Lightning cracked and thunder rolled as clouds hid them from the moon. The wind stirred around them.
My body convulsed as my spirit was pulled from within. Like I was being pulled inside out. I heard a scream. That would be John. He had no idea what he'd asked of the witch, but I knew. If only I could have warned him. Knowing John, though, if he loved her like he said, he would have made the sacrifice willingly.
The wind stilled and then the moon shined more brightly than it had before. The witch was gone.
I searched the area for John. Where was he? Gone. Had she killed him? Taken him with her?
I raised my hands and felt my face. It was me. I was whole. I rushed to Rapunzel’s side and shook her.
Oh, please be alive. “Rapunzel! Rapunzel!”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
“Rapunzel! Rapunzel!” I heard a man's voice yell.
I forced opened my eyes to find myself wrapped in a man's arms, my head on his chest. I knew that smell. I knew it well. I opened one eye and gazed up at the face of the man that held me. It couldn’t be.
It was! Henry! It was Henry's arms that held me tight.
What had just happened? I lifted my head from his chest and smiled. I parted my lips to speak, but Henry silenced me with the feathery touch of a finger.
“Rapunzel, you're alive, and we’re together.” Henry whispered into my ear and squeezed me tighter. “I love you so much.” He looked into my eyes.
In the distance I heard the dragon's roar. How was this possible? Henry was here, a man, holding me. I soaked up the sight of his eyes looking at me. Endless questions threatened to pelt my consciousness, but I kept them at bay just a little longer, lest they rob me of the joy of the moment of the resurrection of my love.
Henry tightened his grip, as though afraid I’d slip through his grasp.
Was there danger? Where was the dragon? I’d heard him roar, though Henry sat beside me. I jumped to my feet and spun in a full circle, searching the distance. My eyes found a crumpled form at the other end of the clearing. Gretta. I took one step toward her, then stopped. “Is she?”
“Dead.” A voice offered from the tree line.
I gasped and peered through the glare of the moon at the shadowy form leaning against a tree. I knew that face. Edwin. “What are you doing here?”