The Witch's Tower, Tamara Grantham [best ereader for academics TXT] 📗

She hesitated, as if debating whether to choose freedom or bondage, her life for his. “I will,” she finally answered.” “I’ll come back, but don’t think you won’t owe me.”

He nodded. “I won’t forget, my lady.”

“Call me Odette.”

She moved away from him, then stood before the witches.

“The curse,” she said. “You promised to remove it so I can fly during nightfall.”

“Only for a short time, child. Then you must return to us.” Aunt Gwynna waved her hands. Magic formed, coalescing into a glowing orb that formed in her cupped hands. The light grew to encompass Odette in shimmering waves. As the magic lifted, Odette breathed deeply, then she took a step back. Her eyes caught my attention—dragon-like—with long, slitted pupils. She looked at her hands, then scanned her arms and body.

“The curse is lifted?”

“For now,” Aunt Neleia said, a warning edge to her voice. “You’d best return quickly.”

“Very well,” Odette snapped, then backed away. We followed her to the ledge where the waterfall thundered. Odette stood on the edge, water droplets splashing her skin, then raised her arms. As the woman dove off the ledge, her body morphed, an elegant neck forming, and her long gown lengthening to create wings. With powerful thrusts, she beat her wings and gained altitude until she flew level with the platform where we stood.

Raj and the wolf both leapt atop the dragon’s back, but I hesitated, looking back at my mother.

Despite the hurtful feelings I harbored toward her, I had trouble leaving. We’d only just reunited, and my heart ached at the thought of leaving her—and of being alone once again.

“Mother, I’ll miss you,” I said.

She came to me, hugging me to her chest. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I love you, daughter. I know I’m not a perfect person. I’ve done many things I regret, but I will never regret being your mother. I am so proud of you. You’re a better person than I am. You’ll do great things.”

I nodded. “Will I see you again?”

“You may visit me in my palace any time you wish. But I can never come to you. I’m sorry.” She brushed the hair from my face. “You’re such a beautiful, brave girl. There’s much you have to learn about yourself and about your own powers. Don’t forget who you are. You’re stronger than you think.”

I couldn’t speak past the lump in my throat. I only hugged her, wishing I could’ve stayed longer, feeling cheated at losing her too early.

But I wouldn’t let this moment go to waste. For one thing, she was alive, and I had a chance to prove myself and make her proud. Even if she wasn’t perfect, she was my mother, and despite her faults, I knew she loved me.

I pulled away from her, standing tall, realizing that I stood a few inches taller than her now.

“I will be watching over you,” she said. I nodded, stepping back toward the dragon. I gave one last look at Drekken.

“We’ll return for you,” I said.

He gave me a small smile, held up his flask, and nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

I turned toward the dragon. Air whooshed as the massive beast flapped its wings. It was then I realized how enormous this creature was. Raj reached out his hand. I grabbed it and leapt behind him. Smooth silver scales spread out before me. In front of Raj, the wolf crouched, and Raj held him tight to his chest.

With a flutter of beating wings, the dragon soared away from the tower. A landscape of ice and snow spanned beneath us. Jagged mountains loomed in the distance. I caught my breath as gusts of cold air rushed past my face, though I barely noticed the chill, and had to laugh at how free I felt sitting atop the dragon, watching the world unfold beneath me, realizing we’d escaped my aunts’ palace with the shears.

We climbed higher, and mountains turned to sloping hills, then to plains. As we flew south, the snow disappeared, replaced with forests of red and orange that looked like flames from this perspective.

Clouds passed us by, their dampness cool on my exposed skin. As we flew, it gave me time to ponder what I’d learned at my aunts’ castle. I still had trouble believing I was the daughter of the evilest person in the land.

In truth, I had to admit I’d suspected it. Mother had spent a great deal of time with the high sorcerer—too much time, really. I remembered their quiet conversations, the times Varlocke had shown up at our cottage for no good reason, and the looks they’d shared. Now that I thought about it, it made too much sense.

How would I ever be able to confront him now that I knew the truth? Would I really be able to defeat my own father?

Sighing, I leaned forward, resting my head on Raj’s back. His clothing had the spicy, male scent I’d become used to, and having him near made my fears grow distant. How much longer did I have with him? I didn’t want to think about it. The reality was that after this quest was over, he would go his way and I would go mine. He had important things to do, and I wasn’t sure if there was a place for me. I could only hope there was. Otherwise, I would continue how I’d always been—alone. Except now, assuming everything went the way it was supposed to go, Rapunzel would be freed from the tower, hopefully married to Prince Merek, and I would be even lonelier than I’d been before.

I supposed I could go back and stay with my mother and aunts, but they hardly seemed like the sort of company I wanted to keep.

It did me no good to worry about any of this. Right now, I had to focus on one thing: Rapunzel. My sister. I had to set her free. Nothing else mattered.

The air warmed as we flew south, and the sun broke free from the clouds. I took in the scenery. Small villages dotted the winding roads. Lakes and large, dark forests appeared in patches as we flew. Seeing the world from this angle made everything look so small—like our entire journey to my aunts’ palace had gone by in a blink.

We stopped only a few times for a brief meal and sips of water, and then we continued once again. Raj and I didn’t speak much. We only made a few brief comments to each other. The wind made it hard to hear him, so I remained content with being near him, thankful I had a day to spend in peace before we arrived at the tower.

When the sun descended toward the horizon, a cloud of smoke darkened the sky. Its sharp scent burned my nostrils. Night was approaching when I spotted the spire of the tower peeking above the trees. The evening light made it look blood red. Fires burned the forest surrounding it. At the sight of the flames, my heart grew heavy. The tower and the forest surrounding it had been my home. They were part of me. I’d given my life’s blood to protect them. To see the trees engulfed in flames came as a shock.

“King Duc’Line’s army is down there,” Raj shouted over the wind.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! He must be defending the tower. This is good news.”

“I hope so!”

The dragon circled the tower. Fires raged beneath us, some of them so tall, I could feel their heat from up here. When we spotted a clearing, the dragon began her descent. The wolf shifted nervously in Raj’s arms, growling as we neared the ground.

Shouts echoed beneath us. I searched the silhouettes of the soldiers against the firelight, hoping to find my father, but had no luck. Maybe it was better that I didn’t find him. I was hopeful I would be able to sneak inside the tower, cut Rapunzel’s hair and free her from the spell, and escape without having to confront him. Prince Merek could marry the princess, take the power away from the high sorcerer, and all would be well.

But perhaps that was wishful thinking.

A flash of light blinded me, catching me off guard. A fireball whizzed past, then volleys of more. One of them caught Odette’s wing. She shrieked, beating her wings frantically before she hit the ground hard.

I tumbled from her back, rolling over sticks that poked my flesh, though I managed to hang onto my pack. As I sat up, my heart pounded as I searched for my friends. The soldiers’ shouts came from the forest. Through the trees, the tower loomed.

Getting to my feet, I held my pack close and stumbled through the woods. The dragon and Raj lay in a clearing. As I walked toward them, the wolf trotted toward me.

“We have to get to the tower,” I said as Raj stood. Behind him, the dragon breathed heavily, though I saw no injuries.

“How do we get past the army?” Raj asked.

“I can use a spell,” I said.

Odette transformed, and her shimmering robes rustled as she sat up. I went to her. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she said, rubbing her forehead.

“But they shot you. Are you sure?”

“Yes, my wing. It won’t affect me while I’m in this form.”

“Good. Go with the wolf into the forest and find somewhere to hide until we return.”

“Don’t you want my help?”

“I appreciate the offer, but the more people with us, the easier we’ll be spotted. They already know we’re here and they’ll be looking for us. Right now, staying hidden is our only advantage.”

She nodded, and Raj and I took off toward the tower. Leaves and twigs crunched beneath my boots, reminding me of the many times I’d hiked through