Free TheRapunzleFactor by Viola Grace Page A

of the strand coupling be given to her when it could be separated from its mother.
    The leman died in labour, the energy she was carrying within far too much for her human frame. Rapunzel had been offered to her father, but with his favourite companion dead, he rejected her after acknowledging her as the child of that frenzied union.
    With a wet nurse, she was sent to the Xefar and from there she remained in a safe nursery until she was able to articulate that she was not edible.
    Becoming a princess of the Xefar involved the queen’s heavy musk mixed with Rapunzel’s own scent being placed in the far reaches of the underground city. Her golden hair was embedded in the walls, glowing in a quiet pronouncement of her status.
    “Of course, dearest mother. I will be gone within the hour. Will I receive a guide?” She kept her arms folded tightly against her body, her feet together. It was a basic sign of respect for the deadly mandibles that the queen wielded.
    “We have arranged a soft escort for you.”
    The queen’s use of the word soft was derisive, but Rapunzel did not take it personally, it was simply the Xefar reference for the bipedal beings that spawned their princess.
    “Shall I go?”
    “Please, and, daughter?”
    “Yes.”
    “Be careful. The soft world is not what you are used to. They may try to manipulate you into surrendering the strands to them, instead of giving them to me as is my right.” The queen reached out with one of her forelegs and stroked it down Rapunzel’s cheek.
    The prickle and sting of the spurred leg down her face made her smile. It was rare that her mother gave her affection in front of the workers.
    “I will be careful. You will have the means to lay the next breeder, my dear mother.”
    “You have been an untraditional but helpful daughter. Enjoy your travel.”
    Dismissed, Rapunzel returned to her room and quickly packed her wraps. The drone that attended her carried her pack through the tunnels until they reached the exterior access tunnel.
    The cool air toyed with Rapunzel’s hair, lifting a few glowing golden strands to dance on the breeze.
    She could see the vague outline of the warriors guarding the entrance to the Xefar collective. Their huge, three-lobed bulk kept other large insects out while allowing a free flow of oxygen.
    She took the pack from her drone and patted him between the eyes, rubbing his scent sensors in goodbye.
    “Take care, Princess. We await your return.” The clicks and hums of his tone made her smile.
    “I will see you when I have completed my mission.” Taking a deep, shaking breath, she passed the warriors at the front entrance and blinked at the brightness of the sun.
    Rapunzel quickly flipped her veil over her face, the delicate silk allowing for airflow while restricting the light that struck her eyes.
    “Miss? Are you the one I am waiting for?”
    She peered through the gauzy silk and took in the softy sitting on the rocks to the left of the Xefar colony entrance.
    “I suppose that would depend. What are you waiting for?”
    “I am to escort the princess of the Xefar to the capitol.” He stood and approached her, stopping when a warrior clicked in a proximity alert.
    Rapunzel smiled and took a few steps out of the alert zone. “That is me, or I am she. Whatever.”
    The clicking coming from her neck was distracting him. He kept glancing at the warriors with a worried frown. Sighing, she took a few more steps toward him and turned off her translator.
    “May I ask your name, sir?”
    “Duke Arnolth of Carria, at your service.”
    “Princess Rapunzel. How long is it to the capitol?” She walked with him and stopped short at the two horses waiting for them. The last time she saw a horse, it was being prepared for her meal.
    “It is two days ride. We will have to be careful, I have heard of a sickness in the city.” He extended his hand to her.
    She blinked and tried to remember what he was trying to imply with the gesture. Timid, she