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Another knock, more insistent this time.

“Ren? Rapunzel?” Aelric’s voice drifts through the door. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important…”

Ren’s entire body goes tense.

I wrap the blanket tighter around myself like armor. I’m too embarrassed to even look at Ren, still not sure what I did wrong.

Eager to escape this new awkwardness between us, I slide off the bed and rush to the door. When I open it, Aelric’s golden eyes rake over my disheveled state and his nostrils flare.

“I apologize for the interruption,” he says, “but I have found someone I think you may be interested to talk to.”

“Who?”

“Someone who recognized the male in your drawing.”

CHAPTER 19

RAPUNZEL

Ichange as quickly as I can and then rush back into the hallway, where Ren and Aelric are waiting by the stairs. Ren’s shoulders are tense, while Aelric appears unbothered, his arms crossed as he leans against the banister.

“I'm just suggesting,” Aelric drawls, eyes sparkling with mischief, “perhaps try smiling instead of growling at everyone. You’re a Fox. Aren’t your kind supposed to be charming and witty?”

Ren scowls. “Maybe I would smile if I wasn’t surrounded by Stag Shifters prancing around, showing off their antlers and flexing their muscles.”

“Jealousy suits no one.” Aelric smirks.

Ren opens his mouth for another sharp reply but stops abruptly as his gaze meets mine. His expression softens and his lips curve in a slow smile that melts away my earlier embarrassment.

Aelric offers me his hand, but Ren steps in front of him and slips his arm around my waist. My heart flutters as his possessive gesture as we walk downstairs with Aelric.

When we reach the dining hall, several platters are already set out for our breakfast, but it’s the woman sitting at the table that captures my attention.

From the sharp points of her ears and the graceful way she moves as she stands to greet us, I realize she is a Doe Shifter. She’s beautiful with vivid honey-colored eyes and light brown hair that cascades down her back.

“My name is Elaena.” She smiles warmly. “Aelric mentioned your… unique predicament,” she says rather delicately. “He said you needed help possibly identifying someone of the Sylvalis royal family.”

“Do you know them?” I ask.

“Not well,” she replies, “but enough that I believe I recognize the male in your drawing. Tell me, do you have any other pictures so I may confirm?”

I pull out my sketchbook, flip it open to the images of the Stag and a few more drawings of the man I believe is him, then slide it across the table to her.

“Oh.” She gazes in awe at the images. “Your skill is quite good. There is no question about it.” She flips back and forth between the man and the Stag. “This is definitely Theron, the Crown Prince of Sylvalis.”

The world tilts, my pulse thundering in my ears. Beside me, Ren goes utterly still.

“What can you tell us about him?” I ask.

“He has quite a tragic story actually.” Elaena frowns. “He lost his betrothed a few years back.”

My heart stops.

“What happened to her?” Aelric asks.

“I’m not quite sure of all the details, mind you.” She turns to me. “I heard the story in passing, when I went to visit my cousin in Sylvalis a few months ago.”

I’m on the edge of my seat as she continues. “Apparently, Theron’s betrothed fell into a river on his family’s estate. She was swept away by the current and drowned.” She sighs. “The poor prince was beside himself. And since they never found her body, he refuses, even to this day, to believe that she’s truly gone.” She shakes her head. “They say he still searches for her, refusing to give up hope.”