Rapunzel? I'm No Saint, I'm Zelpunrap

The journey was taking much longer than I expected. I pushed the carriage curtain aside and leaned my face near the open space to look outside.The dirt road ahead went on forever through the trees, and I was already getting completely bored. There was only so much sitting around a girl could do before she needed something to snap her back to life.I knocked on the wooden wall. “Can we stop somewhere?” I called out to the driver.“Yes, My Lady,” he answered quickly.Not long after, the carriage slowed down and stopped near a quiet, open clearing where a few travelers had set up tents to rest for the night. I pushed the door open, stepped down onto the grass, and stretched my arms over my head.“Finally.”Since my maid was already dead and rotting in some ditch back down the road, I had complete privacy now. That was definitely a good thing. I always preferred being alone anyway.I walked past the horses toward one of the empty white tents near the edge of the trees. I went inside, sat

The wedding preparations happened so fast my head almost spun. I had barely finished swallowing my breakfast when half a dozen royal servants swarmed into my quarters like a flock of nervous birds. They carried heavy wooden armoires, silk dresses, silver jewelry, and enough perfume to choke a dragon.One of the older maids placed a white lace gown onto my bed, while two younger ones began fussing over my hair with hot combs and ribbons.I looked at the mountain of lace and silk before letting out a loud sigh. "Do I really have to wear all of this heavy garbage?"The head maid bowed her head, giving me a tight, practiced smile. "It is traditional for royal brides of Averaine, My Lady. His Highness expects everything to be proper.""I know that," I muttered, leaning back against the wooden chair. "I was right there yesterday when I agreed to marry the man."She quickly lowered her eyes, trying to hide her shock at my bluntness. I stood up, walked over to the bed, and ran my fingers ove

I stayed pinned over his chest, my hands holding his wrists against the mattress while my knees squeezed tight against his hips. From this angle, I had complete control over him.I smirked down at his face, letting my gaze drift slowly from his dark eyes to his mouth. "What's the matter, husband? Not going to order me off you?"Rowan didn't struggle against my grip, but I could feel the solid muscle beneath his shirt. His chest rose and fell at a steady pace right against mine."Would you listen if I did?" he asked, his voice low and completely composed."Not a chance," I chuckled, leaning down until the tip of my nose almost brushed his cheek. "I like you right where you are. Trapped."I loosened my grip on one of his wrists just enough to trace my fingers down his arm, letting my sharp fingernails drag lightly over his sleeve. I wanted to see him sweat. I wanted to hear his heart hammering like a trapped bird inside his ribcage. Humans were supposed to be fragile, easily frightened

The official coronation ceremony happened far faster than I expected. One moment I was waking up next to my infuriating new husband, and the next, heavy golden velvet robes were being draped over my shoulders and a jeweled crown was being placed onto my head.Just like that, Rowan was officially the King of Averaine, and I was its Queen.I stood beside his grand wooden throne at the top of the marble dais, looking down at the endless sea of human nobles filling the grand hall. I smoothed down the front of my heavy dark dress, a slow, wicked smile creeping onto my face as the full reality of the situation sank in.My miserable family back home had shipped me across the border like unwanted trash, thinking they were dumping their cursed, monster daughter into a life of quiet embarrassment with a disabled prince. They had literally handed me a throne on a silver platter.I almost chuckled out loud right in front of the high priest. If my father could see me standing up here right now, hi

"You are an absolute menace, Rapunzel," Rowan said, his voice quiet, low, and completely unbothered as he looked up at me from his wooden chair. He didn't look angry. He didn't even look surprised. He just looked at me like I was a storm that had suddenly blown into his peaceful, orderly room. "And if we are going to survive the people in this castle, we need to work together.""Don't call me Rapunzel," I snapped, glaring at him. "My name is Zelpunrap. Rapunzel is the useless twin they kept locked in the dark while her sister played saint.""As you say, Rapunzel," he replied smoothly, a faint, infuriating smirk touching his lips. He didn't flinch as I strolled closer, my hands clasped loosely behind my back, letting my gaze sweep over him with exaggerated pity."Rowan, darling, look at you," I said, leaning down until my face was inches from his. "You sit in a wooden chair all day while your guards tremble at shadows and your court whispers behind your back. What exactly do you bring