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His nostrils flare as his gaze flicks over my bloodied and broken form, the arrows still embedded deep in my flesh.

“My name is Thalric, and I’m not here to hurt you.” He takes another step forward. “I heard your battle and followed the scent of blood. I came to offer you aid, but”—her jerks his chin toward the dead men—“I can see you already dispatched the vermin who attacked.” His golden eyes meet mine. “You are gravely injured. If you do not let me help you, you will die.”

I can barely breathe through the pain. Darkness gathers at the edge of my vision and my paws tremble as I struggle to remain upright.

“You must help him,” Rapunzel’s voice quavers behind me. “Please.”

I force my head up, locking eyes with the Gargoyle. “If you dare try to harm her, I’ll—”

“I will not,” he replies firmly. “You have my vow. But if you do not let me help you, I fear you will not live through the night.”

I’m reluctant to trust him, but I don’t have a choice.

“Shift back into your two-legged form,” Thalric orders, “so I may carry you more easily.”

Raw agony rips through me, a white-hot explosion and searing through every nerve and muscle. I’m only halfway through the shift when my body locks up in protest and reverts back to my Fox form. The embedded arrows now hurting even worse as they remain lodged in my flesh.

Thalric mutters a curse under his breath, his wings shifting restlessly as his tail flicks behind him. Before I can even react, he strides forward and picks us both up as if we weigh nothing.

Rapunzel lets out a startled cry, clutching at me.

“I know a healer,” he says, adjusting his grip. “I will take you somewhere safe.”

I snarl weakly, my body failing me, my vision tilting.

“If you harm her, Gargoyle, I will end you,” I rasp. “Even if it’s the last thing I do.”

His lips curve in amusement. “Noted, Fox.”

The world sways and my head falls back as I succumb to the pain, and darkness swallows me whole.

CHAPTER 29

REN

Iopen my eyes to buttery morning light filtering in through gauzy curtains. I’m back in my two-legged form, but when I try to move, everything still hurts.

The scent of herbs and clean linen fill my nose. I’m lying in a bed… somewhere unfamiliar.

Panic sharpens my senses. Biting back a wince, I push myself up to sitting. I’m covered with a sheet and my wounds are wrapped in thick gauze. I’m unclothed and too weak to use my shifter magic to conjure the appearance of clothing.

Struggling to recall how I got here, my gaze travels over the small but cozy room. Pale wooden beams arch overhead, vines curling around them in loose spirals. The scent of wildflowers lingers in the air, mixing with something earthy and faintly metallic. It’s the dried blood staining the bandage around my torso.

Draping the sheet over my hips, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and sharp pain spears through my shoulder and side, stealing the breath from my lungs.

“Easy now.” My head snaps toward the woman’s voice as she walks through the door. “You are among friends.”

Despite her words, I give her a wary look.

She’s Fae. Her translucent red dragonfly wings flutter as she walks to my side. Her dark brown hair is tied back in a tight braid and she appears rather young, but as her sapphire eyes study me, I wonder if perhaps she is much older than she seems.

“I won’t hurt you.” She raises her hands in a show of peace. “My name is Flora. I tended your wounds.”

Worry tightens my chest as myriad images flood my mind of our attack. “Where is Rapunzel?”

She tilts her head, gesturing behind her.

Relief fills me when I see Rapunzel curled up asleep on the sofa against the far wall. Finik is asleep in her pocket, only the tip of his tail peeking out. Her body is turned toward me, her hands folded beneath her cheek, her silver hair a tangled cascade over the cushions. Dark shadows line her eyes, but her breaths are soft and even as she sleeps.