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“She refused to leave your side. She told us your name is Ren,” the Fae woman murmurs. “She only just fell asleep a few hours ago. I put a spell around her to mute sound so that she will not be disturbed as she rests,” Flora adds.

“How long was I unconscious?”

“A day and a half.”

She hands me a bundle of clothes as her gaze flicks to my face—my scar. My right hand flies up and my fingers brush over jagged, uneven ridges of skin. A sickening wave of dread floods me as I trace the ugly, twisting scar from above my brow, down over my cheek.

Still weakened from my wounds, I cannot conjure the illusion to fade its appearance.

As if reading my thoughts, she continues. “I understand what scars mean for Shifters, but your injuries were severe. Your bodyis still healing, so I suggest you not use any of your shifting abilities for at least two days.”

“It’s all right.” I’m not as concerned as I would have been before. Rapunzel has already seen my scar and she didn’t judge me for it. “It’s an old wound.”

But as I trace a finger over the jagged line, shame floods my system. Female Fox Shifters reject a male for their scars because it’s a sign of weakness—a symbol that the male cannot protect himself, much less a mate and kits.

I nearly failed Rapunzel. If not for Thalric I would be dead and my fated one would have been left to fend for herself all alone. When I found her, all I wanted to do was prove myself—to show her that I was worthy to become her mate. But now, I realize that I am not.

“I live here with my sisters Lyra and Maribelle, and our adopted daughter, Aurora.”

Before I can ask more questions, a large shadow fills the doorway, drawing my attention.

It’s Thalric.

The Gargoyle’s golden eyes meet mine, sharp as steel. “We need to talk,” he says in a deep, rumbling voice like gravel.

I dip my chin. “Allow me to change first.”

Knowing how humans feel about nudity, I dress under the blanket in case Rapunzel awakens.

Pushing through the pain, I force myself to stand from the bed. I glance at Rapunzel, unsure about leaving her.

Flora must sense my hesitation because she murmurs, “Rapunzel is safe here.”

With one last glance at my fated one, I nod and follow Thalric outside.

The garden behind the cottage is small but full of vegetation, with herbs, wildflowers, and curling vines that spill from clay pots and carefully cultivated garden beds, filling the air with asweet, earthy scent. It’s enclosed by a fence of woven willow branches, separating it from the dense forest beyond. A large pine tree shades the back half of the house and the small courtyard just outside the door.

I turn to Thalric, studying him properly for the first time.

He is half a head taller than me and heavily built, like most of his kind. He is dressed in a black kilt. His gray skin appears like stone, stretched over thick cords of muscle. A long, gray, tapered tail swishes lazily behind him. Massive bat-like wings are tucked against his back. His knees are bent forward, his weight balanced on the balls of his large, three-toed feet, that end in sharp, black talons, built for gripping stone. His hands, however, have four fingers and a thumb, tipped with black claws.

Curved horns arch back from his head. Pointed elf-like ears peek up through his shoulder-length black hair. His expression is stern and his posture rigid. His facial features are a bit larger than a human’s with a proud nose and thick ridges along his brows and cheekbones.

“Thank you for helping us.”

Thalric nods, then opens his mouth to speak, but he’s interrupted as a woman calls out, rushing toward him. “Oh, I’m glad you’re back!”

She’s human and young, maybe early twenties, with long brown hair with golden highlights, sun-kissed skin the color of warm sand, and striking violet eyes.

Thalric’s expression shifts in an instant, his sharp edges softening as he smiles at her.

Ah. I recognize that look. It’s the same one I’m sure I have whenever I see Rapunzel.

“This is Aurora,” he introduces her, and I don’t miss the way he curls the tip of his tail possessively around her ankle. “Auri, this is Ren.”

This must be Flora’s daughter.

She gives me a friendly smile. “It’s nice to see you’re finally awake, Ren. Rapunzel has been beside herself with worry.” She glances around. “Where is she?”