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“What is it for?”

His breath catches as I trace his knot and then curl my hand around his length. He’s so large, my fingers do not quite touch. His amber eyes darken as they stare deep into mine. “It will lock us together when we mate, keeping my seed inside you to increase the chance of conception.”

As he says this, I feel his knot beginning to enlarge. My eyes widen. He’s already so big. “Are you sure we will fit?”

“Yes,” he hisses through his fangs as I tighten my grip, and then drops his forehead to mine with a low groan. “You’re killing me,” he breathes. “If you don’t stop… I’m not sure I can hold back my release.”

I don’t want him to hold back. He shivers as I stroke the rigid length of him, wanting to see him go completely undone. The same as he did to me. “Show me how to touch you,” I whisper.

“Rapunzel,” he gasps, his amber eyes blazing with desire and hunger as I explore every ridge and contour, marveling at the power and beauty of him. “Rapunzel, you must—” His words cut off and his breathing grows ragged as I continue to stroke, his hips rocking into my touch. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to come.”

“I want you to feel as good as you made me feel,” I whisper.

His foxfire eyes hold mine, as he wraps his hand over mine, around his length, and begins to stroke. His grips tightens as he guides me, quickening our pace. He shudders, his muscles trembling as he clenches his fangs.

I’m mesmerized, as he stares down at me intensely. His entire body goes taut and then he comes with a shuddering gasp. The thick ropes of his seed erupt from hisstav, the warm liquid covering my abdomen and pelvis.

Slowly, Ren opens his eyes. His gaze is full of fiery possession and his nostrils flare as he smooths his hand over my form, spreading his release over my body, marking me as his.

“You are mine,” he growls as he pulls me close, curling his body protectively around my own.

Fully sated, my lids feel heavy as sleep threatens to claim me.

“It’s all right,” he whispers. “Rest, my amira. I have you.”

Closing my eyes, I fall asleep in his arms.

CHAPTER 37

REN

The fire has burned down to mere embers, but our cavern is still warm. I tilt my ears forward, listening for any sounds, but all I can hear is the dull roar of the waterfall that shelters us from the outside world.

Rapunzel is still asleep in my arms, her breathing soft and even against my throat. My nostrils flare as I draw our combined scent deep into my lungs. A possessive growl rumbles in my chest. Every male will know that she is mine.

I trace my fingers along her delicate spine as I study her lovely face. She is the most precious treasure: my mate and my heart.

As if sensing my thoughts, she stirs, and her lashes flutter and open. Her sleepy gaze meets mine and a slow blush spreads across her cheeks.

“Good morning, my amira.”

She blinks up at me, her blush deepening. “Good morning.”

Cupping her cheek, I lean in and brush my lips to hers in a tender kiss. Happiness burns bright in my chest. I can hardly believe she has chosen me.

After we have a quick breakfast of dried meat, cheese, and fruit, she bathes in the warm pool in the back of the cavern while I pack up our belongings.

Finik gorges himself on a handful of berries and cheese, his tiny cheeks puffed out adorably as he eats.

After a quick bath myself, I’m reluctant to leave the safety of our cave, but the sooner we leave, the faster we’ll arrive in Cambryn and my family’s castle.

Rapunzel rides on my back in my fox form, her hands buried in the thick ruff of fur at my neck. The wind rushes past us, the forest blurring into a golden-green haze as we make our way through the woods, toward Cambryn.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to my family,”I speak in her mind.“They’re going to love you. Especially my mother and my little sister.”

She tenses. “Are you sure?”

I slow a little, turning my head to glance back at her.“Of course, I’m sure. What’s not to love?”