It had to be you. Sybil scrawled to me on a piece of parchment. Her gnarled fingers flew furiously while she recovered from her ordeal in the dungeon. Gone is her tongue, making it impossible for her to weave her spells, yet she is content. Joyous for Rapunzel’s happiness.Your parents and I knew you would protect our princess.
It makes sense now how I could ‘sneak’ away to visit Rapunzel while she was locked in the tower. My parents never asked me where I’d been, even when I was gone for hours and hours. Nor did I question how I could always find my way to and from the tower when everyone else became hopelessly lost within the enchanted forest.
Sybil always showed me the way.
But what they failed to realize was that Rapunzel never needed me. She needed no one. Not even to rescue her from the tower. That she could have done herself. All I did was give her the push she needed to walk out on her own.
She embraced her freedom and conquered a king.
All we did was help her along the way.
The stubborn woman thought to make me her king.Never. She is Queen, and no one shall outrank her in Rygard. Instead, I reluctantly accepted the title of Prince Consort.
Quinn took Sir Walter’s place as Captain of the Guard. He now oversees the royal garrison, with the older man retired in peace and good fortune, as he deserves.
Not to be outdone, Dax is the Queen’s Guard, and he takes his job too seriously. Especially when I catch him with his hand up Rapunzel’s skirt to check that certain body parts are duly protected when no one else is watching.
It’s been months, and word of our coup spread throughout the kingdom. A steady stream of Rygardians came to pay their respects to their new queen. Already, the tension that once gripped this land is gone. A newfound—and hard-won—tranquility has settled over this kingdom.
My parents would be proud of what we accomplished.
They would have loved Rapunzel.
I gaze across the courtyard and see Eleanor and Rygard’s queen running around barefoot, playing with a handful of children. I remember when Rapunzel asked me what grass felt like. Swaddled like a newborn despite the warmth of this lovely spring afternoon, Sybil sits on a bench watching them as well. Now and again, she smiles at the peals of laughter coming from Rapunzel, Eleanor, and the children.
“Lord Eddington made an offer for my sister’s hand,” Quinn says as he strolls over to me.
I roll my eyes. “That old goat?”
“Our benevolent queen left it up to me to respectfully decline his offer.”
My brows shoot up as I drag my gaze from Rapunzel to Quinn. “I trust the man is still among the living?”
Although he regained his soul, Quinn kept his chilling glare. He gestures to his blue and gold tunic—Rapunzel’s colors. “My days of senseless murder are over. I’ve got rank now.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I scoff. “And didn’t it go to your head.”
“Careful, Wren,” he warns. “That doesn’t mean I’m not above giving you a right good beating on the lists.”
Dax joins us,tsking. “Now, now, Quinn. Can’t go beating up thePrince Consort.” He puts a sarcastic emphasis on my title.
“He even gets to sleep in the special bed,” Quinn says mockingly.
“If I recall, your naked ass was in that bed last night, not mine.”
The ‘special bed’ being Rapunzel’s.
Dax raises his hand. “Fuck off with both of you. Tomorrow is mine.”
Usually, we’re all together, the four of us—and tonight, we have something planned for her. Sometimes, however, we require private time with Rapunzel. It’s fun to share, but it’s also nice to have that intimacy with her.
“I apologize in advance if she falls asleep on us tonight.” Quinn is about as far from contrite as a man can be. “Considering how…strenuous…last night was for her, she might be worn out tonight. Or it could be because the two of you are just dull.”
Who would have fathomed that Quinn Redgrave has a playful edge to him? But ever since he regained his soul, his wit came shining through.
“Kiss my ass,” Dax quips.
“No, thank you,” Quinn shoots back. “I’d rather kiss Rapunzel’s.
