When she burst into the bedroom, she found her brother in the four-poster bed beneath the extravagant canopy and laying upon layers of plum silk. A fading aura of dark magic surrounded him, dwindling on its own before she even shone the light over the dismal space. “Joren!”
He didn’t respond. She rushed to his side and almost heaved herself onto the mattress on both knees. The spell was broken, but he didn’t stir.
“Joren?”
She waved Siel’s tear over him, and when that didn’t work, she placed it in her pocket. Filled with dread, she pressed her palm against his cold, waxy cheek. There was no warmth in him.
“Joren?”
His head lolled to the side when she shook him.
“Joren, please. Wake up,” she urged, shaking him by the shoulders, only to give a low, keening wail when his eyes never opened. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” He should be freed. “We destroyed her. We negated her magic. We freed everyone and ended the darkness.”
Muir’s bootsteps alerted her to his presence in the doorway. She glanced up at him with tears blurring her vision, great sobs choking and stealing her breath. “Your countrymen are normal again, so why isn’t my brother… why isn’t…?”
Her husband crossed the room and sat beside her, his bulk disturbing the mattress. His large hand stroked between her shoulder blades. “I don’t know, lass. I… can only assume we’ve arrived too late. That… there’s no way back once she’s woven her spell.”
“W-we were s-s-supposed to save him.”
“I know.”
When Muir gathered her into his arms, she wept against his shoulder until her throat was raw. Though they had been triumphant against the wicked queen, grief bashed against their victory like a merciless chisel cleaving through shale. With their quest finally at its end, the pent-up emotion all bubbled to the surface like froth. She wept at last for her murdered father, the royal soldiers lost to Gothel’s spell, and now the twin she’d loved with all her heart.
A time passed before she could speak or even breathe without the air whistling in her throat. The whole while, Muir murmured in his native tongue against her hair and kissed her brow. “Do you want… would you like me to carry him downstairs?”
“No.” She leaned away and finally shook her head. “Not yet. I need a moment is all. I need….” She wasn’t yet ready to say goodbye to him. The tears overflowed again, impossible to stop once they began. Then her shoulders trembled, and she shifted from Muir’s lap to return to Joren. She kissed his cheek and hugged the chilly, motionless body, wondering how long ago she’d missed her chance to revive him. By days? Minutes? Or had Gothel evacuated his soul from the body that very night they fled the castle and kept him pickled in magic until she could claim his body?
Muir’s steps echoed to the door. Once he was gone, she stretched out alongside her twin and thought of times when she once snuck out of her bed as a child to sleep beside him, but they would only stay up the entire night talking about magic.
“I’m so sorry, Joren.”
Her entire family was gone. Everyone. A mother who had never existed, a brother and a father murdered.
“Why’re you crying, brat?” Joren’s voice was a soft whisper against the top of her head. Rapunzel jerked her head up and looked into his face, into blue eyes filled with life and cheeks that had colored.
The trembling wouldn’t stop no matter how much Rapunzel strained to bring it under control. She dried her face with one sleeve. “Oh, sweet merciful gods, I thought you were dead. I thought she’d killed you.”
“Gods, I feel awful.” He groaned as he sat up. “What happened? Where’s Mother? What did I miss?”
Rapunzel threw her arms around him again as Muir returned to the room. “There’s so much to tell you, brother. So many things to show you, but first, there is one more thing Muir and I must do.”
Beyond the palace, a malignancy had spread over all of Jonquilles and western Eisland, a bleak oil stain against once ivory stretches of plains. And she was the only one able to banish it.
…Happily Ever After
In the days that followed Gothel’s defeat, dozens of noblemen and just as many vintners were arrested for their foul, inhumane deeds against both their fellow Eislanders and the slaves they purchased.
Rapunzel discovered detailed records within her father’s study, and to her great pleasure, the vineyards who accepted human cargo were in the minority. The parents of James Hook were not among them. She didn’t dare to tell him in person, choosing to have a letter delivered to him by Captain Vandry instead.
And of course, for each noble and officer arrested, there were at least two more who claimed to be under her influence from the beginning. Rapunzel might have believed one or two, if she didn’t have a clear memory of how a certain sailor had rushed into the castle with tales of James Hook’s betrayal.
Jean-Gaspard was among one of the first she sent to the guillotine, for there were too many criminals and wrongdoers to imprison each one without overflowing the jails. As for the others with questionable guilt, it took weeks of long trials to sort it out. Muir and Rapunzel issued pardons to dozens of sailors who had mutinied against their captains at the end and joined her war effort. With Captain Milo’s aid as the acting general of the Queen’s Royal Army, they confiscated riches and redistributed the wealth among the villagers who had once worked the vineyards, even turning the estate of Lord Emberlene into a wonderful home for the displaced slaves. Though in her opinion, nothing would ever be enough.
And on the day of her coronation, she wished her father was there to watch her take the crown. She and Joren mourned him quietly and buried his remains, deciding to remember him for the man he once was, the father of their youth, and not the monster Gothel created with her dark sorcery.
Rapunzel’s hands shook too much to style her own hair. She sat in a chair beside the window instead while Sebille fashioned it into an elegant updo and weaved flowers amidst the braids.
“There. All finished. There has never been a more radiant queen on the day of her coronation,” her friend said, beaming from ear to ear. “I’ll tell them you’re ready.”
Before Sebille reached the door, Joren stepped inside. He’d donned his best suit for the ceremony, a black jacket with long tails and a gold brocade waistcoat. He looked so dashing, her dear, brave brother, that she doubted he would search much longer for a bride.
“Have a moment for a visitor, sis?”
“You never have to ask permission to visit with me, but shouldn’t I head down to the reception hall?”
He chuckled. “You should, but I believe there’s someone here you’d like to speak with for a moment.” In the month since his ordeal at their mother—no, Gothel’s hands, for Rapunzel refused to call that monster their mother any longer—he’d regained his health.
But he screamed sometimes at night, and she could only wonder what nightmares he’d endured, what he’d been subjected to while Muir bore her away to safety on griffin’s wings.
“Who?”
“Do you have a moment for me, Your Majesty?” came the familiar voice of a man she’d once loved with all her heart.
Rapunzel rose from the chair and turned to face him. “James….”
“Hello, Rapunzel.”
James was as handsome as she remembered, and he still wore the same red coat. She’d once teased that she thought he had a dozen of them in his wardrobe. She bit her lower lip and waited for the heartache to commence, for the stab of pain that flashed right behind her breast. It never came.
He bowed and extended a pot of rapunzel flowers toward her. “I came to wish you well on the day of your coronation. Congratulations, my queen.”
Rapunzel took them and traced her fingers over the delicate blossoms. An unusual golden shimmer glistened on each petal. “Thank you. I’ve never seen any so beautiful before. They shine.”
An awkward silence fell between them then. James rubbed the
back of his neck and glanced away before saying. “Well, I should leave you to this. Good luck with your rule.”
“Wait.” Impulse pushed her forward to kiss his cheek. “I don’t blame you. Not anymore. I know you had no way to help me, and I hope one day you’ll think of Eisland as home again.”
James exhaled a low sigh. “Thank you. Perhaps in time, now that Cairn Ocland and Eisland are allied, there will be plenty of opportunities for me to return.”
“Did you bring your new wife?”
“I did. Belle made those flowers and encouraged me to visit you, though her form of encouragement strikes as hard as a blunt hammer.”
“You stubbornness requires bluntness, as I recall.”
His familiar bashful laugh stirred up memories accompanied by the warm glow of friendly affection. “So it does. I am pleased that things are well between us, and that you don’t think me to be a vile cockgoblin.”
Rapunzel snorted with laughter, unable to hold back the peal of giggles. “I swear I didn’t write those letters to you, James, though whoever wrote it must have overheard me muttering it quite a bit.”
“I know. And it was a title just deserved at the time.”
“Things worked out for us both. Though I suppose you’ll be staying in Cairn Ocland? Admiral Hook is an impressive title. One you could have here, you know.”
“I know, but I am happy where I am now. Happier still knowing I can come home again when I please.”
“Have you spoken yet to your parents?”
“No, but I will. In time.” He offered his arm to her. “Come. Your entourage awaits, Your Majesty. I dare not keep you any longer.”
Rapunzel curled her fingers below his bicep. “James?”
“Hmm?”
Deciding to take a page out of Muir’s book, as she’d heard him ask his friends a dozen times to ignore his title, she said, “Rapunzel only. There’s no need for titles between friends, and that’s what you are. You and Belle both, I hope.”
His smile widened into a boyish grin. “We’d like that.”
* * *
Muir had refused once again to wear pants. He disliked trousers and resisted the efforts of the royal tailors, compromising a second time and finding the frock coats and polished silver buttons were growing on him. But he still refused to wear pants. He had to represent his homeland somehow, and if his tartan was one of the only ways to bring his proud Oclander culture across the sea, it would have to do.
Rapunzel squeezed his hand and brought him back to the present. They had been paraded through the town and brought to the throne room where hundreds of citizens stood. Thousands more lined Jonquilles’s streets outside.
Now, they walked together down the cobalt runner toward the dais where two thrones sat side by side. After the destruction of the sapphire throne, his wife had commissioned two matching marvels of silver and lush royal blue, symbolizing their decision to break a longstanding Eisland tradition by ruling together as equals.
When they reached the throne, Muir could hold back no longer. He took Rapunzel into his arms and kissed her before one and all to the jubilant applause of three hundred spectators.
Joren awaited them at the dais. As the only other surviving heir of their family line, he had the honor of leading the ceremony. In front of everyone, he swore them to defend Eisland from all threats, to defend the people, and to uphold the peace.
Afterward, a celebration moved into the reception hall, a private party among dear friends and close allies attended by familiar faces who were now Muir’s equals. Alistair was first to clap his back and embrace him with a strong hug, grinning from ear to ear.
Anastasia hugged him next and kissed his cheeks.
“Represent Cairn Ocland well, aye?”
“I will, my ki—Alistair.”
Other Oclanders waited in line behind the king, clan leaders of the other shifter tribes and griffins of his aerie next. One by one, he received their well wishes and their tears, though they were happy tears of joy.
Faolan and Sòlas approached him last, joined by Eilidh. She’d sailed over for the coronation with the other griffins of their aerie, no doubt eager to see her mate and son again.
“Your mum would be so proud of you, lad. So very proud,” she told Muir, kissing his cheeks and squeezing the wind from his lungs.
“I’m going to miss the lot of you so damned much.”
Sòlas grinned. “Aye, about that… None of us plan to take the ship home with James. We’ll be staying in Eisland.”
Muir stared at him. “What do you mean?”
“We plan to rebuild the aerie in Mount Joie. Already spoke to Rapunzel about it and everything. I put it to a vote among the nest, and none of us wanted to be parted from you. Besides,” Faolan said, eyes twinkling with humor, “how can we abandon you to be the only griffin in all of Eisland? I was pleased to call you brother and honored when you were our alpha, but I’ve never been prouder to have this opportunity to call you King Muir.”
“Please don’t. Just Muir.”
Sòlas chuckled. “You have to admit it has a nice ring to it, lad.”
“I can’t believe it. I thought….” Muir dragged in a breath. When he turned to face Rapunzel, she smiled up at him. “You knew all this time?”
“We wanted to surprise you.”
Surprise didn’t begin to describe the elation swelling in his heart. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say thank you, you big galoot.” When Faolan clapped him on his back, Muir grabbed him in a tight embrace.
“There are no words worthy of your gesture, no gratitude great enough to convey how much this means, but I’ll thank you just the same. Thank you. I’ll treasure this gift unlike any other.”
* * *
Their return to Eisen’s Might came easier than the first trip. Without the magical storm to challenge them, Muir flew to the topmost peak and landed on the snowy plateau. Together, they set the Northern Light back in its place. The gem settled in a snug fit, and Rapunzel could have sworn she heard a relieved sigh, as if the mountain itself were pleased to have it returned. Considering the story behind it, perhaps that was exactly what it was.
They’d timed their arrival well, and the last rays of golden light faded behind the mountains. Stars shone against the sky, and then the first glimmers of lavender and green glittered in the air.
“Things feel right now,” Muir said, echoing her thoughts.
“They do.”
Queen Yukina’s voice came from behind them. “Eisen and Siel are together once again. Thank you for returning the tear.”
Rapunzel turned and smiled. Yukina floated a few feet away, hovering in her snow form, but no less beautiful. “Thank you for helping us.”
“You undertook the difficult journey and did what was right, I only ensured you were up to the task. Be well, both of you. I hope you will not forget us.”
The queen’s form shimmered and began to disperse. With a question burning on her mind, Rapunzel stepped forward and called out to her. “Please don’t go. Not yet.”
The queen paused, and the snow condensed around her, bringing her shape back into clearer focus. Rapunzel crossed the space between them while Muir waited.
“Queen Yukina?” Rapunzel asked in a quiet voice. “You’re my ancestor, aren’t you? You’re the snow queen who was fooled by Laverne.”
Yukina dipped her chin and sighed, breath soft as a cool feather. “How did you know?”
“The stories. The stories we’re all told mentioned a compassionate snow queen.”
“Years ago, Eisland was known by the other nations of the Viridian as the land of snow. I… allowed that monster into my head, a crime for which I can never atone. When my husband shattered the mirror, I came to my senses, but it was too late. I tried to repel the surge of power it released with my own magic to save everyone, but they merged together and… I became what you see today.”
It broke her heart to hear the story and to realize how much
Yukina and her people had lost, how they had been treated over the generations.
“You and the other khione need never fear coming into our lands again. They are your home too, and you will always be welcomed so long as I can make it so.”
“Then we look forward to a joyous reunion with the Eisland people. Some of us have watched our descendants from afar, as I have you.” Yukina touched her cheek. “You are able to project yourself into the snow because my blood runs through your veins. I was with child at the time of the spell, and the infant born from me was both human and touched by the divine magic.”
“But Joren doesn’t have the same gift, and my father couldn’t cast a spell to save his life.”
“Gifts such as ours come and go in the bloodline, granted only to those who have the heart to treat them with care. You and your brother each have a very special gift, my love, different as they are, and I know you will both always do me proud.” Yukina kissed her forehead then drifted away. “Stay. Remain our guests before you venture home once more.”
“Thank you,” Muir said, accepting on behalf of them both. Yukina smiled, and then she disappeared, leaving nothing more than snowflakes behind.
Reluctant to retire yet to the caverns, Rapunzel stood alongside Muir and watched the Northern Lights shimmer against the sky. They bathed her in warmth and calmed her frantic heart.
Now. Now felt like the time to tell him, for there could never be a better moment than when they were both showered in the divine radiance of an eternal love.
“Muir?”
His arm tightened around her waist. “Hmm?”
“Are you truly happy to be here in Eisland. With me? With being king?”
Muir chuckled. “After what we’ve been through together, I’m ready to face anything with you, Rapunzel.”
She tilted her head up to study his face. “I hope so. From what the midwives tell me, you only have seven months or so to prepare for our next great adventure.”
A few silent moments passed while her heartbeat thundered between her ears. Muir didn’t speak at first, and part of her wondered if he’d heard her at all. He only stared at the lights, and he wasn’t breathing.
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