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“Is that so?” A lovely smile curves her mouth. “Let’s hear it then.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I begin:

“Oh, a clever fox, dashing and sly,

Till one fair maiden caught his eye.

With hair like starlight, locked away,

In a tower tall, she’d sing all day.

He scaled the tower with dashing flair,

Got tangled—just briefly—in her hair.

She stole his heart; he stole a kiss,

His roguish charm she couldn’t resist!

Now he’s smitten, head over paws,

Breaking all his bachelor laws.

Amber eyes gleam with adoring pride,

His heart now hers, he cannot hide.

She thinks him brave, bold, and strong,

Though modesty has him sing this song:

“A hero handsome, yes that’s true,

But oh, sweet maiden, he’s yours through and through!”

Oh, clever fox, no longer free,

Captured willingly, as you can see.

For one fair maiden, brave and bright,

Has tamed this rogue—and set things right!”

Rapunzel’s laughter is golden and bright, melting my heart.

She grins. “I’ve captured and tamed a roguish fox, have I?”

I’m so afraid I’ll lose her. I force a smile to my face despite my despair. “You have, my amira.” I tuck a stray tendril of hair behind the delicate shell of her ear. I have never loved anyone as I have loved her. “I’m completely and utterly yours, and I have been from the very beginning.”

“And I’m yours as well,” she whispers.

Sadness claws at my chest, and I lower my gaze, afraid she’ll see the truth. That she’ll know I’m keeping something from her. I know I should tell her, but when I open my mouth, the words die in my throat.

I can’t risk hurting her with false hope. I’ll verify the poster first. Once I know for certain, then I’ll tell her everything.

“Ren.” She touches my face. “I feel like something’s wrong. Please, tell me. What is it?”

I close my eyes as guilt threatens to overwhelm me. When I open them again, I lower my forehead to rest it against hers.Drawing in a deep breath, I force the words past my lips. “What if we found something about your past? What if we found evidence that you were betrothed to Prince Theron? What would you do?”