The Gazelle (A Rapunzel Retelling)

When the war brings a young enemy soldier to the ruined palace Tabeya calls home, the truth about her past emerges, chasing her into the desert, where she must elude her vengeful guardian for the sake of her freedom and her forbidden love.

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In her lonely tower, Tabeya dreams of the world beyond it. That world becomes real when she meets Humban, a young general from a rival kingdom who isn't afraid to ask the questions Tabeya can't face about herself. Those questions bring answers that lead them into the desert, away from the goddess who imprisoned Tabeya. Enraged at her escape, Tabeya's guardian hunts her and Humban relentlessly across the war-torn land, where the elements are vicious and survival isn't guaranteed. In the treacherous world where Tabeya finds herself, she must fight for her happy ending or let her past destroy her future with the man she was never meant to love.

[[Word count: 150,000 - 200,000 words]]

Content warning: this story contains themes of violence.