Page 69

RAPUNZEL

We traveled all through the night and finally crossed the border of Cambryn about an hour ago, shortly after sunrise. Ren insisted we stop for a break to eat, but he’s barely touched any of his food.

He’s seated across from me. Finik is perched on his leg, snacking on a tiny platter of cheese and fruit. Absently Ren strokes Finik’s fur.

He’s much quieter than usual. And last night he was acting so strange. And now, I know he’s worried we’re being followed, but this feels like it’s more than that.

Something is different.

“We should leave soon.” His shoulders are tense as his amber eyes scan the forest. “These woods eventually turn into farmland up ahead and we’ll be forced to travel on the main road. Keep your hood up, and your head down if we pass anyone.”

I nod as Finik hops from Ren’s leg and waddles over to me, his tiny cheeks stuffed full of crackers as he climbs back into my pocket.

In the blink of an eye, Ren shifts. The transformation is seamless as he turns from a man to a sleek, powerful fox with glistening copper fur. He shakes once, his tail flicking, then nudges me with his nose, urging me to climb onto his back.

I climb up, my fingers threading through the thick fur at his scruff. The moment I’m secure, he moves, muscles rippling beneath me as he bounds forward.

Despite the lingering unease in my chest, I lean into the warmth of him.

Whatever awaits us, we will face it together.

After a few hours, the forest gives way to rolling hills and lush farmland, forcing us back to the main road. It winds through fields and orchards with quaint farmhouses interspersed between them.

Up ahead is another forest. The trees are ablaze with a riot of fiery hues: rich golds and vivid crimsons, deep ochres and rusted oranges. A cool wind whispers through the trees, rustling the fallen leaves that carpet our path.

“This is beautiful,” I murmur, in awe of our surroundings.

“These woods are preserved around the city for our people,”Ren speaks in my mind.“We cherish running wild in our Fox forms. It’s in our blood, to feel the earth beneath our paws and the wind in our fur.”

I breathe in the rich scents of damp earth, sweet moss, and the fresh, crisp smell of the woods. Fallen leaves swirl around us and light filters through the canopy, gilding each leaf until they seem to glow from within.

The trees part, revealing a stone bridge crossing a wide river, connecting the woods to the city.

“Welcome to Emberwylde,”Ren says in my mind.“The capital of Cambryn.”

It’s nothing short of breathtaking. Sunlight dances over rooftops of silver and deep mahogany, and buildings adorned with ivy and cascading blossoms spill from balconies.

Ren shifts into his two-legged form. He offers me his arm and I loop mine through his as we approach the city gates. Two of the guards straighten as soon as they notice him. “Welcome home, Prince Renard,” one of them says in a deep voice, bowing his head.

“Thank you, Travys,” Ren replies. “It is good to be back.”

“Shall I send someone ahead to alert your family of your arrival?”

Ren smiles. “Thank you, but I think I’d prefer to surprise them.”

The guards all bow again and open the gates for us to pass through.

As we make our way through the city, several people bow in greeting, recognizing their prince. This place is just as lovely as Ren described. The curving streets are lined with carved stone archways and market stalls draped in fabric of every color imaginable.

A great river, shimmering like molten sapphire, cuts through the heart of the city, spanned by bridges of white stone. High above it all, perched on a cliff overlooking the valley, is the castle—Ren’s home.

It’s a masterpiece of architecture. Turrets of pale stone rise into the sky, their pointed spires capped in polished silver. Great glass windows catch the light, throwing fractured rainbows onto the cascading waterfalls that spill down the cliffside, feeding into the river below.

As we approach the castle gates another set of guards bows low as they greet Ren. “Welcome home, my prince,” one of them says.

“Thank you, Danyr,” he replies with a smile. “Do you happen to know where my parents are?”

The guard opens his mouth to answer, but someone calls out. “Ren!”