Page 14 of Rapunzel's Gambit (All That Glitters)

“But a vicious, man-eating dragon is not?”

“Nope. I much prefer you to that hunk of wood.”

“Did you look inside of it?”

“That’s how I got here, genius.”

“Look again.”

I pursed my lips and turned my attention back to the wardrobe, which looked very different from the shabby one with peeling paint back at the cave. A dragon’s ferocious, engraved face encompassed the entire front of this wardrobe door, split in half where the panels opened. Golden handles jutted out above the painted dragon eyes, looking very much like the scaly protrusions that encircled the upper part of Pollox’s eyes, and the wardrobe’s wood seemed to tingle with some hidden, secret magic. As I wrapped my hand around one of the gleaming handles, I felt a rush sweep through my body, as if the wardrobe was inspectingmerather than I it.

Feeling Pollox’s eyes on the back of my head, I tugged on the handle. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, probably to see the same empty box that had transported me here. But I was wrong. The door swung open on well-oiled hinges, and a closet full of the most beautifully tailored gowns I had ever seen, all my size and style, met my eyes. I gaped as I examined each dress. Some boasted thick layers of rich brocade ideal for winter, with velvet-lined sleeves that reached down to my fingertips and were paired with matching cloaks and fur-lined boots. Others hung thin and silky on their hangers with feather-light layers of gauzy, sheer material that was perfect for evening wear, complete with matching slippers at the bottom of the obliging wardrobe.

I tugged the other door open, expecting to see more gowns, but instead found drawers full of jewelry, hairpins, slippers, undergarments, and gloves. Lying atop the shelf directly in the middle of that side of the wardrobe was a gem-encrusted, silver-toothed comb. I had never seen the likes of it and picked it up. This comb, too, tingled with that secret magic I couldn’t place or explain.

After a stunned moment, I murmured aloud, but not loud enough for Pollox to hear, “Ofcoursea dragon would have a magic wardrobe.” The door I had just opened waggled slightly at me, its hinges squeaking in smug agreement.

“It does whatever I want it to,” Pollox said, pride edging his voice. “As long as I’m healthy, it will never run out of magic. I’ll tell it to obey you if you wish.”

“Yes, I would like that,” I answered, running my hand along the shelves. “Can you enchant anything?”

Pollox rested his head on the bed, his neck still stretched out from the tower’s exterior, and I couldn’t get over how bizarre it looked to have a seemingly decapitated dragon head on my bed. “Each dragon has the ability to enchant certain items, but some materials respond better than others. Wood always works best for me. Other dragons can enchant a variety of materials. I even had an ancestor able to enchant human bloodlines.”

Experimentally, I ran the comb through my blonde locks. They instantly detangled and lengthened as I pulled the comb lower, extending and strengthening each strand of my blonde hair. A gasp of surprise escaped me as I repeated the action, combing my hair until it cascaded down to my knees. I stared up in wonder at Pollox. The dragon’s facial expressions still proved difficult to read, but if I had to wager a guess, I would have said that Pollox was smiling.

“I thought you might like that,” he said.

“It’s remarkable,” I answered, wonder tinging my words. Why did our kingdom fear dragons if they could produce such incredible things? I had a sneaking suspicion that the wardrobe had instantly created all those outfits for me specifically.

My own gown—torn, tattered, and dirty—suddenly seemed woefully inadequate. I replaced the comb and inspected the gowns more closely. There was no one to impress here; I could wear whatever I wanted without having to consider what events and meetings I needed to attend. I selected a pale-blue gown trimmed with golden embellishments that looked especially soft and comfortable.

I pulled it from the wardrobe and caught sight of Pollox, who was still watching me with bright-eyed interest. “Don’t look while I change!” I ordered.

He lifted his head. “Don’t flatter yourself; I want nothing of the sort. All humans are ugly, yourself included.” He withdrew from the room and I heard his claws readjusting his grip on the roof overhead.

I should have been offended, but his statement was oddly relieving. No matter what I wore or did, Pollox would assess me based on my knowledge and value, not my appearance. Father was right. I did enjoy a challenge. With Pollox, I had a partner in crime, someone who could match my devious nature and return it in equal measure. It was perfect.

CHAPTER7

Riding a dragon was a completely foreign sensation and I still wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. Perched on Pollox’s snake-like neck, bracing my feet against his shoulder joints and holding onto his horns for support failed to provide the security I needed while swooping through the skies at breakneck speeds. With every twist and turn, my stomach plummeted with a sickening sensation, but then it would soar again when Pollox climbed to breathtaking heights as he returned to his cave.

I expected that Pollox’s wings would cause me to rise and fall several feet every time they beat, but it wasn’t so. The anterior, boned edge of his wings cut smoothly through the rushing wind that screamed in my ears, then propelled the dragon forward with even greater swiftness.

Other than the breathtaking speed and fear of sliding off, flying was exhilarating. The adrenaline rush was better than kissing any man, better even than outwitting the greatest scholars in chess. The wind howled as the cottages below shrank to the size of dollhouses, and the people became mere dots scurrying about like a disturbed anthill. When they saw Pollox winding his way through the skies, they gaped and pointed. Small children often waved before darting inside, as if the straw-thatched roofs would shield them from the fire-breathing, winged monster overhead.

Finally, Pollox slowed and came to a stop in front of his cave. I meant to slide gracefully off his neck, but my dress’s hem caught on one of his shoulder spikes so I was flipped upside down and a second later, found myself sprawled across a shrub and staring up at the sky. So much for trying to convince my new partner in crime that I was well-coordinated.

“I know humans eat several times a day, so come on,” Pollox said. “If you liked the wardrobe, you’ll love this.”

Grateful for his foresight, I followed him inside. Once again, I was struck by how bare and empty it was. The lone table and chair were located near the hot spring, not far from the wardrobe I’d stepped into before. I examined the wardrobe more closely. It didn’t match the red-and-gold one in my new bedroom, so did that mean there was simply a passageway between them, rather than the wardrobe itself changed location? Then how could that be, if I had been inside?

“Did you hear me?” Pollox asked.

I pulled my mind out of my musings. “Sorry, no.”

“I asked if you’re hungry.” Pollox inclined his head to the table, and my mouth fell open.

The table that had been bare seconds before was now groaning under dishes upon dishes of my favorite foods, which all smelled delicious. “Wow, you really do take care of your hoard, don’t you?”

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