by K. C. Hilton
So the dragon didn't like Gretta, and Gretta couldn't beat him.
Gretta had no more authority over the dragon than I did. He wasn't her dragon to dominate. I’d been foolish to think otherwise. Who on earth could manage such a large beast? That was interesting information. I'd file that away until I could best use it to my advantage.
The dragon circled the air, looking at me each time he flew past my window. Was he watching me? I'd always thought the creature belonged to Gretta, and so had my parents. And, until now, I'd believed he hadn’t followed her to Paradise Valley. But in that moment, I wasn't so sure.
He must have come for me.
But why?
Gretta cowered on the dirt ground, under the dragon's arrogant gaze, and used her feet to shuffle herself backwards, inching toward the castle.
The dragon moved closer to her and continued to shoot his fiery orbs at her feet as she scuttled away.
If I wasn't witnessing a massive, deadly dragon shooting fireballs at a witch, I might have giggled.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Mr. Jenkins, let me tell you, those early years at the castle trickled by. It felt as though I was walking through a dream from which I could never awaken. At least that’s how it felt during the most important parts of it anyway.
I found solace working in the garden day after day. Sometimes my thoughts found their way back to the past, to what had once been, or almost been, but I did my best to keep them in check. It would do me no good to go into another depression. It had happened before, and each time I knew I would be fine in a few days. I just needed time. I kept to myself during those years and avoided a battle with Gretta for quite some time. She kept her distance from me except for a morning visit to my tower to bring me warm water. It was an intrusion I could live with.
But then it happened…
Someone was in my garden. I stared out the window. Who was that bent over, working in my garden? Her red curls bounced from beneath her shawl. She had a slight frame and an almost fragile looking manner about her. Her porcelain skin was translucent. I couldn't see them from the window, but I could imagine the freckles I would find if I got closer.
I had to know. I jogged to my bedroom door and ran down the stairs. I got to the garden door as quickly as I could. What if she wasn't even real? Maybe she was an angel—if there actually was such a thing. I reached out and gripped the latch. I didn’t want to give away my presence, so it wouldn't do to alert her to my arrival. What if she scurried away, and I never discovered who she was?
I gingerly pushed the door open. Please don’t squeak. Thankfully, it opened without a noise. I placed one foot over the threshold, and then the other. Eventually she’d hear me, but the closer I got to her before that happened, the better.
I tiptoed around the cobblestones so as to avoid unnecessary noise. I passed through the section of ornamental grasses and moved around the pond toward the fish.
There she was. Her back was to me as she crouched down and did away with a few more weeds that must have cropped up overnight. I watched for a moment to make sure she got down to the root. Apparently, I needn’t have worried. She knew what she was doing. My guest had gardened before, that was for sure. She smoothed her skirt as she stood and surveyed her work. Mouth turned up in a slight smile she gave a nod. I guessed she was satisfied.
I cleared my throat.
The girl threw her hands up and gasped in surprise. She placed her hand over her heart and fanned her face with her other hand. “You scared me. I don't know that I've been this startled in…” She shook her head. “I have no idea how long.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. But…” I looked around the garden and raised a hand in question. “What are you doing here? It isn't every day that I find a stranger doing work in my garden.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You mean?” Her eyes widened in surprise. Her cheeks immediately took on a rosy glow as the blush grew from her dress and up her neck. “You mean no one told you about me?” To her credit, she looked horrified at her intrusion.
“No, but I’m sure it’s okay. Are you…Did Tom hire you to be his assistant? Or his housekeeper?”
She laughed and flipped her red curls over her shoulder. “No. More like his wife.”
“What? Really?” I squealed. “Tom is getting married?” I jumped up and down before I could stop myself. “That's wonderful. Tom is such a wonderful man. I have always wondered why he didn't marry. When's the wedding?” Would they do it there on the grounds? That would surely be a challenge, but Tom would know what to do.
She shook her head. “No, no wedding. We're already married. Three days ago to be exact.”
How had I not known? “You're already married? Why? We could have had a party, even if just for the family.”
“I am…well. You know.” There was that blush again, this time more beet red than rosy.
“Ahh. I see. Well, congratulations. I’m truly happy for you both.”
“Thanks so much.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Suzette.”
“I’m Rapunzel. Good to meet you, Suzette. I’ll leave you to your gardening now.”
I grinned as I climbed the steps to the tower. I did hope they'd be happy. And it would be nice to have another woman on the grounds. Maybe we could be friends. How much had Tom told her about me? I'd have to find out.
***
What was that? I sat back on my heels. It sounded like panting. An animal?
Seconds later, I heard frantic rustling in the hedges. Would I be attacked by a rabid badger among my roses?
“Miss? Miss Rapunzel?” I heard the voice before I saw the face.
“Tom? Is that you?” I stood and dusted my hands.
Tom burst through the hedge, his face white with panic and mottled red with exertion. Sweat dripped from his curls.
I rushed to him. “What is it? Is it Suzette? The baby?” That must be it. Baby Cavanaugh on its way and poor Tom didn’t know what to do. I offered a slight smile. All would be fine.
He gasped for breath and held up a finger. “It’s…it’s…b–bad.”
“It’ll be fine, Tom. Babies are born every day.” I patted his hand. “This is a beautiful day.”
Tom whipped his head from side to side. “So…much…bl–blood.” His eyebrows furrowed in desperation. “Come? Please?” He turned and ran back the way he came, never minding the hedges that likely tore at his flesh.
I followed close at Tom's heels as he rushed into his little stone cottage. I glanced around briefly. A new generation of Cavanaughs was about to enter the world. Would this one keep my secret, too? This was my one connection to the outside world.
“Where is she?” God, please let her live. Where had that come from?
Tom jerked his head toward the back of the house where the bedroom was. “Come.” He stormed into the small room, his face draining of color as he stared at the gray pallor of his wife.
It didn’t look good…even I could tell that. “Don't worry, Tom. I'll do what I can for her. Go get lots of water and towels.” Forget boiling the water, no time for that.
Tom rushed from the room, seemingly grateful for something to do. I put my hand on Suzette’s forehead. Fever raged. She had an infection already. There was nothing I could do for her.
Suzette's eyes flew open and she locked her gaze with mine. She released the sheets she’d been clenching and reached her trembling hands for mine. “Please…save my…baby.” Her hands fell to her sides in exhaustion.
I lifted the blanket that covered her shivering body. The blood. Oh, so much blood. What was that? Feet? Legs? The baby, a boy, was half in, half out of the home where he’d been so safe for the past months.
“Okay, Suzette. You need to focus. Once we get him out—”
Her eyes flew open. “Him? Him? It's a boy.” A smile settled on her face and her eyes glinted with satisfaction.
“Yes, it's a boy, but we have to get him fully birthed. When we have him out, we can help you.” Though I
had no idea how. “Okay, this is the hard part. He’s breech so I've got to help him be born. You have to be strong, mama.”
She nodded, the determination in her eyes unmistakable. “Just…do…whatever you have to do.”
Woman to woman, we locked eyes. She knew as well as I did that she’d never hold that baby, but she would give him life. That was the best gift she could give her son.
“Okay, with the next contraction, you need to push with everything you've got, Suzette.” I lifted her chin to focus on my eyes. “Do you hear me?” This was it. The baby had to come out or they would both die.
She nodded. “Go.” Suzette scrunched her eyes closed and waited for nature.
“Okay. Here we go. I want you to push.” I placed my hands around the baby’s knees and tugged.
Tom looked over my shoulder. “Are they going to be okay?”
I ignored him. What was there to say? “Suzette, push! Tom, get behind her. Help her.” He knelt on the bed behind his wife and supported her with his body as he held her legs up. Suzette reached her arms around and clenched his forearms as she gritted her teeth. She bore down with every fiber of strength she could muster. Evidenced by the curling of her toes and the blood pooling in her eyes, it was all she had to give.
I worked my fingers among the baby’s shoulders and twisted as she pushed. Finally, one arm and shoulder popped out free with a noise like the vacuum seal on a jar. The other came more easily and the head came right out. A perfect baby boy, bloody and full of life, lay squirming on the towel between his mother’s legs. I rubbed his face with one corner of the towel and scooped the mucous from his mouth. A hearty cry filled the cottage.
Tom gasped and covered his mouth with his hand. He stared at the baby boy.
“He's here. You have a son.” I lifted him for Tom to admire. Was I stalling? I needed to help Suzette, but I was so afraid.
I moved the baby to his mother's face. She sighed with relief as she gazed at that sweet face. He locked eyes with hers.
I choked back a sob. I was witnessing the look of a mother angel as she gazed at her baby for what would likely be the last time. I turned my head to give the new family a moment of privacy.
“We’ll…call him…Luke.” Suzette’s voice sounded weaker with each word.
I glanced at Tom.
He nodded. Tears streamed down his face and pooled where Luke’s face touched his mama’s.
“I like that, sweetheart.” He rubbed Luke’s cherub cheek and bent to kiss Suzette’s forehead.
Did he realize his wife was fading? Should I tell him or let him enjoy the moment as long as he could?
Suzette let out a ragged sigh and fell back onto the bed. I looked at Tom. Did he know?
He knelt beside her and took her face in his hands. “Don’t leave me. Don’t leave us. Suzette. Please.” He laid his face on her chest as sobs racked his body.
Suzette’s grip on Luke faltered and the baby began to roll forward. I reached out for him, scooping him up in a crocheted afghan a grandmother had left behind. I held him close…for his comfort as well as my own.
Tom lifted his tear-streaked face. “When do we have to cut the cord? Suzette should do it.”
He still didn’t know she was gone. “I'm not sure. I think now.” It would soon stop pulsing with life as it caught up with her heart. I looked at the face of his beautiful wife. Finally at peace. If only I could have saved her somehow.
Tom caught my gaze and then looked back at his wife, the realization dawning. He was a father, but no longer a husband.
***
The days turned into weeks as I helped Tom care for Luke—such a sweet baby who would never know his mama. I changed his diapers. I bathed his face. I nursed him with milk from the goat. Would he think me to be his mother?
On the day Luke turned one month old, Tom came to me. He took my hands in his. “Rapunzel, he needs you. Will you be his mama? Will you love him like she would have?”
My eyes filled with tears. “It's not a question of if I will. I already do.”
Tom nodded. “I can’t be what he needs. I…I have to earn a living…and…. Will you care for him? Take him to the castle…raise him there?”
“Tom, what are you saying?” My heart thudded in my chest. Don’t do this to your boy. Don’t give him away.
“I know you won’t die, you'll always be there for him…forever. Will you do this for me? For him?” Tom slumped against the wall. Spent. The past weeks had aged him by years.
“Where will you go?” I clutched Luke to my chest. What would this mean for him?
“I have no idea. I just can't live here any more without Suzette. I fear, if I do, I… I just can't.” Tom wiped the tears from his eyes. “Will you do this for Lu—him?”
He’d already distanced himself from his son. So much so, he couldn’t say his name. I leaned my face down to smell his hair. My life had meaning with him, but Tom was his father. How would Luke feel if his father abandoned him?
No. I couldn’t stand for it. “Tom, if you leave, I will raise him as my own. But he needs you. He needs his father’s love. Please, don't do this. Don’t leave your boy.” I paced the floor, the baby sound asleep in my arms. “You will come back if you leave.” I shook my head, tendrils escaping my bun. “After all, how could you stay away? But when you come back, things won't be the same, you'll have missed too much.” I pointed my finger in his face. “Don't give this up to chase your grief. You will regret it.”
Tom hung his head. “It's already done.” He strode from the room through the front door and climbed into a waiting wagon.
He never looked back.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Luke, come to Mama.” I reached out my hands, desperate to cuddle that wobbly toddler.
Luke grinned as drool dripped from his lips, his perfect little bottom teeth jutting from his lower jaw. He reached his chubby hands out toward me and made a hesitant move.
“Come on, baby.” His first step was about to happen. I just knew it. “You can do it.” I was so proud to see my baby grow, but each step from here on out would be a step closer to a life without him. Something I would relive for the next lifetime.
He lifted one of his sausage feet and inched it forward. He looked up and locked wide eyes with mine, the shock evident on his face.
“That's it, sweetheart. Keep going.” I felt movement behind me and turned slightly to see out of the corner of my eye. Gretta leaned on the doorframe to the library, grinning. Her joy couldn’t dampen mine. Not a chance.
He shifted his foot from behind and placed it in front. Luke looked up at me again. As if to say, can you believe what I just did?
“Come on. Do it again.” I clapped my hands and arms. “I'm so proud of you, pumpkin.”
Luke bit his lower lip, concentrating on the task at hand. First his right foot forward, and then his left. Right foot a few inches, left dragging behind. He was on the move.
“Your mama would have been so proud.” I wiped away a tear that threatened to escape. That would be the last time I would say anything about Luke’s parents. I was his mama. He would know no other.
Whatever that was worth.
With Tom and Suzette gone, Luke would likely grow to take his rightful place in the cabin behind the castle, protecting us, and affording us some connection with the outside world, for at least the next few decades. After that? Well, hopefully like the generations that came before him, he would have children and we would raise them to understand who I was.
I existed so Gretta could continue on. Their job was to make sure I could continue on. And the beast would watch it all from afar.
Luke made his way to me. He grasped my knees with his chubby fingers and looked at me with delight. His eyes sparkled. He was so proud of himself.
I leaned down and kissed his soft cheek, his eyelashes tickled my forehead. “I'm so proud of you, buddy. You did it.” Before I could stop them, my fingers reached for the sides of his body and tickled.
At least for now.
***
“Luke.” I patted the space beside me on the bed. It was cold. Where was he? I scrambled over to the side of the bed and looked at the floor. He's been known to roll right out of bed and continue sleeping after he hit the floor. The little boy played hard and slept hard. No sign of him.
Where could he be? I hurried to my armoire and slipped my arms into my robe. I pulled the sash tight around my waist.
He had to be in the kitchen, but this would mark the first time he’d ventured from the tower through the castle by himself. Was he safe? My heart beat wildly in my chest. If anything happened to that child—
I raced to the door and threw it open. “Luke!” I called into the cavernous stairway. No sign of him. I slid down the stairs, barely letting my feet touch the steps.
“Luke?” I poked my head into the drawing room. A fire blazed in the fireplace. So Gretta was up already. What had she done with my boy? Oh, my baby. The enormity of the situation settled on my shoulders.
I lived in a castle with a witch and a dragon. And my little boy was missing. After what had happened to Henry…to think that Gretta would leave me be, and let me love my baby. What if she had hurt him? What would I do? Stop thinking like that, Rapunzel. It wouldn’t help find Luke.
I searched behind the heavy draperies in the library. Maybe he was playing hide and seek. But we’d never played it before. How would be know? No. Children had been playing that game since the beginning of time. It was instinctive. It didn't really take a teacher for a child to learn that it was funny to hide from someone and jump out to scare them. But he wasn’t there.
I pulled open the heavy cupboard doors where the china was stored. He could have easily fit in there, but I found nothing.
