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“Ren!” She drops to her knees at my side.

She reaches for me, but I flinch from her grasp. “Don’t!”

“What’s wrong?” she asks, panicked.

“Don’t look at me.”

She falls silent. Cursing myself, I open my mouth to apologize but before I can, she cups my face with both hands.

I freeze as her blue eyes search mine. “If this is about your scar, I’ve already seen it, Ren.”

I hold my breath as her gaze travel over the jagged line—the flaw that marks me as unworthy.

“It’s not just that.” Despair fills my veins. “It’s what it means... what it stands for. There’s a reason female Fox Shifters reject males for their scars—because they mark a male as weak, unable to protect a mate and any kits they may have. I just didn’t want to accept it. But I realize now that it’s true. I nearly failed you, Rapunzel.” I admit my shame aloud. “I barely defeated the bandits. If not for Thalric, I would have died, leaving you alone in a world you do not recognize nor remember.”

“Ren, you’re being too hard on yourself.”

“Don’t you see?” I shake my head. “From the moment we met, all I’ve wanted to do is to prove myself to you. Show you that I am worthy to be your mate.” Sadness tightens my chest. “Even after I learned of the Stag Prince—Theron, I still—” I swallow hard. “I wanted you to choose me. To realize that you don’t need him. That I would be the better mate. But now I realize that I was wrong.”

Her fingers tighten as I try to pull back, but her hands are unyielding. She tilts her head, her silver hair slipping over her shoulder, catching the light like spun silk. Her thumb lightly brushes over my cheekbone, tracing over the thick, jagged mark, and I’m surprised when I don’t see revulsion or pity in her gaze.

As her blue eyes meet mine, full of warmth, I realize she isn’t staring at my scar, she is looking at me.

CHAPTER 30

RAPUNZEL

“You nearly died protecting me.” My gaze drops to the bandages around his shoulder and torso. “And if your injuries leave new scars, it will be a reminder that you survived something that others might not have. They are a testament to your honor and bravery.”

He stills, a flicker of something vulnerable in his amber eyes. “You do not believe that I failed you?”

I meet his gaze evenly. “Never.”

Impulsively, I stretch up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck. In the back of my mind, I know I shouldn’t do this, but I almost lost him the other day. And it made me realize just how much he means to me.

He slips his arms around my waist and drops his forehead to mine. “And you are truly unbothered by my scar?” he asks cautiously.

“How many times must I say it? It doesn’t bother me, and it does not make you any less in my eyes.” A smile crests my lipsas I decide to tease him. “You alreadyknowyou’re handsome. I think you’re just fishing for compliments now.”

He barks out a startled laugh, and then flashes his signature grin—full of playful mischief. “You think I’m handsome?”

I smile. “You know I do.”

His expression turns serious and his gaze drops to my mouth. My heart pounds at the sudden awareness of the way his hands grip my waist as he slowly leans in. The warmth of his breath ghosts across my lips, and I close my eyes as he brushes his mouth over mine in a tender kiss.

My mind urges me to pull away, reminding me that we cannot have a future if I don’t know my past. But my heart refuses to listen. I could have lost Ren. If I had, I would have regretted not telling him how I felt. I cannot pretend I’m not falling for him. Not anymore.

His kiss is soft and tentative, as if still unsure if this is real. But when I tighten my arms around the back of his neck, he pulls me closer and his tongue finds mine, deepening our kiss.

Something rustles overhead, and a soft rain of petals flutters around us.

Ren stills against me, his breath warm against my lips as we both look up.

The cherry tree above us is now covered in vibrant blossoms that definitely were not there before. The pale pink petals cascade through the air, swirling around us like falling snow.

“Rapunzel,” Flora calls out as hurries toward us, her expression full of concern as she gazes up at the flowers. “That tree should be dormant this time of year.” She turns to me. “You have magic, don’t you?”

Ren pulls me behind him. “And what if she does?” he asks, voice low and dangerous.