Chapter 74

The Witch

We accepted thanks from the bystanders. Max, much more charismatic, conversed as I guided him toward the last place I saw my sister. I caught sight of Jim. His arm encircled his wife. An older couple stood with them. The flushed gentleman gesticulated to an oddly subdued Jim and grinning Mindy as the smiling elder woman linked arms with the gentleman and squeezed his bicep. My sister sat beside Sir Reginaldo, of all people. Sammy chattered to her as Winnalea looked on.

“Rapunzel?” Her eyes met mine. Rage distorted her face, followed by confusion. Her pouting lips quivered, and she shuddered. With a cry, she turned toward Sir Reginaldo, trembling.

He glared at me and snarled, “Go away! I just calmed her down.”

I strove not to strangle the oaf.

He softened his tone. “She’s not ready to deal with you, Princess Phrysia. Please--go.”

“Who are you to address the princess?” Max bowed up to the man one third his size, as he pulled me close and propelled us away. Tears blurred my vision. I rarely cried, but the air here was different and the day too grand.

For so long my life had been tepid and gray, like dirty dishwater. These few days of turbulent activity exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. I had many emotions to explore, one of which held me at present.

“Hey,” Jim said. Max spun, ready to fight. “Whoa!” Jim backed up with his hands held out. “She’s just upset, Frizzy.” He was speaking of my fire-welding sister.

Max bristled. “Stop calling her that! She doesn’t like it.”

“Dude. I get going all protective with someone you love--” Jim paused and gestured to me.

Love? My heart sang.

“--but I am not the enemy,” he continued. “Since Corpse Collector lost his head, we’re short a realm-threatening baddie. Max, you know St. Louis cemetery, number one?”

“Yes.”

“A doorway to Ortharos is there. Why don’t you and Frizz--I mean, Phrysia--go back and tell them what happened.”

“We will need an Earth ambassador there to negotiate,” Harry chimed in excited at the prospects. “We need to set up guidelines for travel.”

“Hello. I’m Jim’s wife, Mindy,” the woman with Jim said. “You must be upset. ’Punzel is much better, but she is still pretty fragile. Liotte has poisoned her for years. Give her time.” Jim’s nice wife shifted her gaze from me to Max, irritation clouding her features. “Max, if you ever use that tone of voice to my husband again, I am going to seriously hurt you.”

Max had the decency to look guilty.

Rapunzel walked to us, holding Sir Reginaldo’s hand. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted,” she proclaimed, staring at the ground with wet eyes.

My eyes widened with shock. My sister never apologized to anyone, let alone felt remorse. “We have always had an uneasy relationship.” Traversing warily, I continued. “The necromancer worsened it. I hope we can get past that and become family again.” Inside, I cringed at the hollow-sounding words. I truly hoped our damaged relationship mended over time.

“I am willing to try, Phrysia.” Rapunzel’s earnest gaze met mine, then she smiled. “I think I would like to spend time here. You should return to Ortharos and attend your duties as princess.”

My heart sank. How would I leave her now that she might be a normal sibling? But she was right, I had been away from Rhineguard too long. Our parents were unwell and relied on my help. The realm needed my guidance into this new age.