Page 63 of Rapunzel's Gambit (All That Glitters)

He fixed me with a glower that could have set the grass beneath me on fire.I’ll make it up to you later, I mouthed to where only he could see.I promise.

Pollox dropped his back haunches to the earth so the ground beneath our feet shuddered.

The men let out a gasp of surprise. Other than shooting me a curious expression, Father did nothing to refute my story.

“Can I pet it?” one of the men asked, edging closer.

A deep growl sounded deep within Pollox’s throat.

“I wouldn’t recommend it if you value your hand,” I answered. “He only allows me to touch him.” To demonstrate, I placed my hand on his leg.

Father, who hadn’t shown any desire to approach the dragon, waved his hand at Griffin, who was seething. “Take that bit of vermin out of here. I want him to stand trial within the week.”

“Shall we stay for your protection, sire?” the captain asked, hand still flexing on his sword’s hilt.

“That isn’t necessary, Captain. I’d like to discuss a few things with my daughter. Privately,” he added. “I have more than a few questions for her and her”—he looked up at Pollox—“pet.”

CHAPTER25

Father wearily rubbed his temples, eyes closed as I finished explaining everything. After shifting to his human form and giving his side of the story on the journey back, Pollox had retired to the corner of Father’s study and was reading so silently that I’d nearly forgotten he was there as I regaled Father with my tale.

“That’s about it,” I finished. “You and Griffin arrived at the tower, and you know the rest.”

There was a slightchinkas Father pulled off his crown and placed it on the table. “You ran away because of what I decreed?”

“I did.”

He shook his head. “I was wrong for that. I’ve been blinded by greed for years, and I’m sorry I wasn’t the father you deserved.”

“Well, I was hardly an easy-to-manage daughter,” I pointed out with a slight smile. “It’s all right now.”

Father continued shaking his head. “No, it’s not all right. I neglected my own daughter and drove you away because of my selfishness. The people in the kingdom have been suffering because of me, and I haven’t been the ruler they deserve.”

“It’s not all your fault,” Pollox said from the corner. He stuck a finger into the book to mark his place as he crossed the room. “The blood curse had a powerful hold on you.” I glanced down at the worn cover to discover that it was the farmer’s guidebook on harvesting a wife that Pollox had told me about before. I bit back a smile.

Father had also noticed the title but wasn’t as successful at hiding his surprise. His eyebrows jumped up to wrinkle his forehead. “You’re…serious about my daughter, are you?” he asked Pollox, eyes darting down to the book.

“I wouldn’t be reading this if I weren’t,” Pollox answered, waving the book in the air without the slightest trace of embarrassment. “This chapter is called ‘Milking the Moment: Knowing When to Hold Her Hand and When to Hold Your Horses.’”

Father let out a noise of disgust and closed his eyes. “I don’t want to know.”

Pollox quirked his eyebrow. “Aren’t you single? You should want to know how to woo a woman. I could let you borrow?—”

“I’d rather not know the specifics of what you are doing to…woo my daughter,” Father interrupted, trying valiantly to muster every ounce of dignity he could. “That’s something that should be kept just between you two.”

“Humans,” Pollox huffed. “They have so many rules about what you can and can’t say to different people.”

“I’ll explain it to you later,” I said with a laugh. “And for what it’s worth, I’ve read many great works of literature, but I think that this book is one of the finest. It’s a true masterpiece that should be treasured.”

“A dragon,” Father sighed. “My daughter is being courted by a dragon.” He looked up at me. “Does he make you happy?”

“Very. The happiest I’ve been in a long time.”

“Then I’m glad for you.” Father smiled at me. There was a warmth to his eyes that I hadn’t seen in years. “I promise to be a better father from now on, and Pollox is welcome here.”

“I’m glad you’re back to being yourself,” I told him, heart bursting with joy. “I’ve missed you. The real you.”

Father hugged me. “I’ve been a dreadful king and an even worse father. But that is changing today. I’m planning to turn the kingdom over to you. You’ll be a better ruler than I ever was. The future of Rookwyn is yours to mold.”

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