"It's all right, Rapunzel," he assures me.
I shake my head. "It isn't..."
"I had a prophecy too. This is on both of us."
The rope slips free and falls to the floor. He pulls away from the tree and wraps his arms around me. I relax into him, relieved he's safe and fine.
"Let me help you with the blindfold," I whisper after a moment.
"No, I don't know what it looks like. I don't want you to see..."
"I have an antidote," I promise, slipping my hand into my pocket and pulling out the vial. "Ever since I learned this part of the prophecy, I've been doing secret research into ways to cure it." I press it into his hand.
"You're amazing." He smiles, then reaches up and slips the blindfold off.
His eyes are the same as always, but there's a distant look in them. He uncorks the antidote by feeling for it, then downs it in one go.
I wait, shifting nervously from one foot to the other as I wait for it to take effect.
The moment it does, I launch myself into his arms. He pulls back, but only so he can lean in and kiss me.
Mother has tried her best to ruin our relationship, but she hasn't managed. We're stronger than that and we've just proved it.
Chapter Eleven
"We're sorry the two of you have had to go through this," the Headmistress says. I'm not sure why she bothers. We both know they're not allowed to directly interfere with the prophecies.
"It's fine," Gavin assures her. "We just want to know that they're over now."
The Headmistress smiles reassuringly. "I promise, both of your prophecies have now been avoided. You can see them if you want." She taps the top of the big leather book sat next to her on the desk. At first, I'm confused about why she does, but then understanding dawns on me. It's a book of all the prophecies for the students here. I'm shocked by the size of it, but hopefully, it's like that so they can add new students, and not because there are so many about existing ones.
"It's all right, I don't need to," I say.
"Me neither." Gavin gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Would you mind if I spoke with Rapunzel alone?" the Headmistress asks him. "I'm sure you want to spend some time together, but there are a few things I need to discuss with her."
I swallow the lump in my throat. This is where I'm going to end up thrown out of Grimm Academy because I don't have parents to fund me staying.
"Of course." Gavin leans in and kisses my cheek. "I'll wait for you outside." He doesn't linger, instead, he pushes his chair back and then nods to the Headmistress before leaving the room.
Without Gavin's hand to hold, mine feel lost. I wring them together, not looking forward to the conversation that's to come.
"I'm sorry about your Mother, Rapunzel."
I shrug. "I half-expected something to happen with her." I hate that it's true.
"It doesn't change my regrets over it," she assures me. "No one deserves that."
"Did you know?" I blurt.
"That she was part of your prophecy? No, we didn't. It was never specified who it was, only that the person who would betray you was close to you."
I give her a weak smile. I suppose that's a little reassuring, but it isn't what I wanted to know. "No, I meant did you know she wasn't my real Mother?"
"We didn't know for sure, but some of the staff did raise suspicions. We have no way to check them, or to know that you didn't know yourself, so sadly there was nothing we could do about it."
I nod. "Thank you for your honesty." I want to ask what happens now, but I'm scared to. I don't want to be told I have to move away from Gavin, or Ella, or any of the others.
"Do you want to find your real parents?" the Headmistress asks.
Huh. That thought hasn't even crossed my mind yet. "I don't know," I answer honestly. "I think I need some time to process that I have real parents."
She chuckles. "Understandable." She pauses for a moment. "To be clear with you, we don't know who your parents are, or where to find them. But we will help you if you want assistance."
"Help me?" I echo. "Isn't that reserved for students?" I ask.
"You are a student," she counters.
"But not if there isn't anyone to cover the fees," I point out.
"Ah. I see you haven't read the academy's full policy on prophecies and what happens if you help another student avoid theirs."
"I didn't help anyone break their prophecy," I say, my nerves only getting worse with each passing moment. What am I going to do about all of this?
"Except, you did. You told me yourself that you didn't expect Gavin to take you back after what happened, but you still went out into the gardens, and then the woods, to find him and restore his sight."
I shake my head. "But that was all part of my prophecy."
"And it was part of his. But you didn't help him to save yourself, you did it to save him. I can show you, if you'd like." She goes for the book again.
"No." The word comes out more forcefully than I want it to. "No one but Gavin should show me his prophecy."
The Headmistress smiles. That's the answer she expected me to give, and she's happy that I have.
"Which brings us back to your status here," she says firmly.
I nod, hating how on edge I'm feeling about the whole thing.
"It is academy policy to offer a scholarship to any student who helps another in this way."
My mouth falls open. Is she serious? I can stay here? And not have to worry about payments?
"Even if you don't know who my parents are, or if I'm noble?" I ask.
She chuckles, clearly having been through this conversation with other people before. "Yes, even if we don't know who your parents are. You can stay here as long as you like."
"Oh." I lean back in my chair as I let her words sink in.
"Do you want to stay?" she asks. "I get the impression from your courtship with the young man outside, and the friendships your teachers are reporting seeing, that you like it here."
"I do like it."
"Then I'm pleased to offer you a full scholarship, Rapunzel."
"Thank you," I whisper, more tears threatening to fall. "I didn't expect this."
"I know. But it's true nonetheless. You're a student here, and we look after our own."
I smile weakly. "I have one more question, if I may?"
"Of course."
"What will happen to Mother?" I hate the conflicted feelings of concern and relief that are flooding through me, but maybe knowing the answer will help.
The Headmistress studies me intently. "She'll be transferred from here to one of the prison facilities designed for magic users. You won't have to worry about her there."
I'm not sure worry is the right word.
"We can organise for you to see her before she goes, if you'd like. I know she's hurt you, but she still raised you, and we would understand if that's something you'd like."
"No, thank you," I say firmly. "I don't want anything more to do with her, if I can help it."
"Also understandable." She nods along, as if thinking about everything I've said. "Now, if that's all your questions, I believe Gavin is still waiting for you."
"No, that's everything. Thank you." I can't even begin to express how relieved I am about it all. Though from the smile on the Headmistress' face, she already knows.
I scrape my chair back and leave the office.
Gavin is leaning against the wall a couple of steps away. He pushes away from it the moment he sees me, and I half-run into his arms. He holds me tight, neither of us saying anything.
"What happens now?" he whispers after a moment.
"We go have some dinner, I'm starving," I respond, pulling back slightly.
"You're staying at Grimm?" His face lights up as it sinks in.
I nod enthusiastically. "Apparently there's some rule that lets them offer me a scholarship because I went to find you..."
My words are cut off by Gavin pressing his lips against m
ine. I wrap my arms around his neck, pushing myself against him and taking all the comfort I can from him. I get to stay with him. Spend more time with him, and do all the things I planned when I first arrived here.
We pull apart, both of us with huge smiles on her face.
"I can't believe you can stay," he whispers. "I was already planning on how to ask my parents if they finance your education too..."
"You'd have done that?"
"Of course," he says instantly. "I started thinking about it the moment I realised your Mother was the one who was making our prophecies happen."
"You're too good for me," I say, trying not to cry.
He shakes his head. "I'm just right for you."
Gavin leans in and kisses me again. I'm sure it's going to be a long time before we stop. We've been through so much tonight, and could both have ended up dead if it had gone wrong.
But it hasn't. We're alive, we're together, and we have a bright future ahead of us. What more can I possibly want?
Chapter Twelve
Nerves flutter in my stomach as I approach the classroom. I know the headmistress said I can stay at Grimm Academy, and that I don't have to worry about paying, but that doesn't stop the worry that I may be told I have to leave as soon as I sit down in my first class back.
I walk through the door, being careful not to catch my dress on the door. I can't afford to buy the material for another one right now. I may be able to stay at Grimm, but I have lost my financial support, not that Mother gave me much to begin with. Pain pangs through my heart at the memory of what she did to me. It still doesn't make much sense to me, even if I had the experience to back it up.
Despite my worries, no one even notices when I walk in. They all continue their conversations and chatter among themselves as they wait for the teacher to arrive.
I drop into a seat and watch the door for Gavin to arrive. He told me he had the same class, though I don't know where he's coming from right now.
A moment later, he appears through the doorway. My heart skips a beat, even though I know he's going to come and sit next to me, and that he's going to sit with me the whole lesson. I hope this feeling never fades. I enjoy it far too much.
He comes straight over and kisses my forehead. A little flutter settles the nerves in my stomach. I know we can't show too much affection in class, but something small like that is appreciated, and it only makes my feelings for him grow more.
"How are you feeling?" Gavin asks as he takes his seat.
"A little overwhelmed by it all," I admit. "And confused."
"Me too. I was worried I'd come to class and you wouldn't be here," he admits.
I glance away to hide the blush spreading over my cheeks.
"Good morning class," Lord McVille says as he walks into the room. He's one of the only teachers who has a title, as far as I'm aware. He makes most of us using it too, despite the academy's policy. He's cut my conversation with Gavin short, but that's all right. I know we'll be able to continue it later.
"Good morning, Lord McVille," everyone parrots. The chatter dies down immediately. No one messes around with his class. Normally, I find it frustrating, but right now, it isn't. I'm simply glad to be here.
"Today we're going to be talking about the hereditary laws throughout the kingdoms," he starts.
Someone in the back of the class groans, but I don't think Lord McVille hears it, as he continues droning on about some archaic rules about the male line inheriting.
One of the girls puts her hand up.
"This is going to be fun," Gavin mutters.
"Why?" I whisper.
"She's going to rip everything he's saying apart."
"Yes, Lady Aurelia?" Lord McVille says, disdain dripping from his voice.
"I've heard that several duchys throughout the kingdoms have adopted a system where the eldest child inherits, regardless of gender. And one of the heir presumptives is currently female," Aurelia says.
I want to back her up, but I don't think that's a good idea given the scowl on the teacher's face.
"If you're referring to Princess Briar, then it should be noted that she is the heir presumptive and not apparent. The laws still stand that she can be removed by a brother or even a cousin," Lord McVille says.
"That doesn't seem likely to happen though, does it?" one of the boys at the front asks.
"No, Lord Walter, it doesn't," Lord McVille admits. "Though it's through a lack of male relative, not her own skills that mean she is in that position."
Without meaning to, I put my hand in the air.
"Yes, Mistress Rapunzel?"
I try not to scowl at the title he gives me. Despite my lack of nobility, no one else uses mistress to address us. But that doesn't matter. I have to focus on my question and not something that's technically correct anyway.
"How long do you think it will be before the kingdoms all adopt the eldest child rule?" I ask sweetly.
Lord McVille's scowl deepens.
Gavin, on the other hand, seems amused by my question and is trying to smother a laugh.
"It will be hundreds of years before they do that. And that can only be a good thing." He starts pacing up and down, explaining more about why things have to be this way.
Gavin leans in and gestures for me to lean closer. "You just know he has an older sister who would have been a better lord than him."
I snort, but stifle it quickly. I don't want to draw more attention to us than necessary.
"For what it's worth, I'd want my daughter to inherit if she was the better child for the job," Gavin says.
Is he telling me that because he thinks its what I want to hear? Or because he wants me to know how we'll raise our children?
Instead of answering, I brush my plait over my shoulder and jot down a note about what Lord McVille is talking about, even if I'm not paying enough attention to truly put it into context. I hope none of this is going to end up on our tests at the end of the year, because none of it is going in right now.
Gavin slips his hand into mine beneath the desk and gives it a squeeze. It's then that I realise all my worries about being kicked out of Grimm Academy mean next to nothing. Even if I am, it'll be fine. He's not going to let me go, and while his holdings aren't huge, he'd be able to support us, especially with help from my dress-making work.
Which is something I can do even now. It'll mean I can keep the fabric flowing through my rooms to make my own dresses too. Just because I'm technically on a scholarship doesn't mean I have to dress poorly. Far from it. I'm going to make the most of my time here, both to learn, and to spend time with my friends and Gavin.
"There's another ball coming up next week," Gavin whispers. "I was thinking about asking you."
"I should hope so," I respond. "If you turn up with someone else, I may have to think about undoing ending your prophecy," I tease.
"I only have eyes for one girl here, and I don't intend that to change," Gavin vows.
I close my eyes and bask in the contentment his words bring. It's not going to be hard to stay at Grimm Academy at all.
Epilogue
"The dress is amazing," Marigold says, spinning around and showing it off to the other girls.
I beam with pride, and don't miss the smug smile on Ella's face. She's happy to see me working towards this, and even happier that it's her and her friends who get to benefit.
No, not her friends. My friends.
"I'm glad you like it," I assure her. "But I can teach you to do all of that if you want. You don't need to keep paying me to do it," I assure her.
"Don't be silly," Marigold assures me. "You do a far better job than me, and I want to keep paying you." She dances away again.
"Her parents don't put a limit on what she spends," Ella whispers to me. "This is her way of spreading the wealth. People think she's vain and only cares about appearance, but it's not true. She's one of the sweetest people I know."
"She is," I agree. Marigold's glee is so childlike. Sh
e's so happy with her dress and with everything. I don't think I've ever seen her sad about anything.
"You really have the best room, Rapunzel," Helena says from her seat on the bed.
I laugh at that. Every time, without fail, someone mentions my room. "I'm going to need to get some more chairs if the three of you keep hanging out here," I tease.
"I'm sure we can get some from somewhere," Ella says. "This is much better than hanging out in the library or in one of ours."
I'm not sure if she's saying that because it's true, or because she wants to include me. The three of them are close, and I can tell I'm not the same level of friend to them. Not yet, anyway. But perhaps I'll find my own close friend to join the group.
"When did you get this?" Helena asks, holding up the letter I'd found slipped under my door this morning.
"Today. Apparently, they want me to be a student guide tomorrow."
"Ooh, anyone exciting?" Marigold asks. flopping into one of the chairs.
"Princess Briar." I shrug, though inside, I'm beyond nervous. Everyone knows about the princess. She's the heir presumptive of her kingdom, and one of the most powerful princesses in all the kingdoms. And no one here has properly met her yet.
"You have to introduce us," Marigold insists. "Father always promises me we can go to their balls, but he hasn't come through on that yet." It's moments like this where it's easy to remember she's a princess herself. Though Marigold's kingdom isn't as powerful as Briar's, it is as wealthy.
"She might be horrible," I point out.
"She won't be," Ella says. "I've heard a lot of good things about her. And you'll charm her, then she'll be our friend too."
"You're just trying to befriend the whole academy," Helena teases.
I laugh along with the others. That does sound like Ella. She doesn't have a nasty bone in her body, and if she can be friends with everyone, then she will be.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Ella counters. "Part of why we're all here is to make connections. And if those connections aren't genuine, then they're no good to me. I'm here to make friends."
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