Page 74

“You hurt me, Ren.” I press a hand over my heart as if that will somehow dull the ache in my chest. “I gave you my heart, and you broke it, Ren.”

He flinches as if I’ve struck him. “I am so sorry that I hurt you, Rapunzel. I was wrong to keep the truth from you, and I willalways regret it.” Silence stretches between us as his eyes search mine. “Can you ever forgive me?”

I let out a shuddering breath. I want to, but I’m not sure I can. The pain of his betrayal is still too raw. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

His entire body stiffens as devastation mars his face.

“I trusted you with all my heart.” My voice cracks beneath the weight of my sadness. “And you lied.”

“Please,” he pleads. “Tell me what I can do. I’ll do anything, Rapunzel. Anything.”

Sadness twists deep within but I force it back down as I meet his gaze evenly. “Take me to Prince Theron. I need to see him… to learn the truth about my past.”

His jaw tightens, and he bows his head, blinking back tears. “I will take you to Sylvalis,” he vows. “We’ll leave at first light.”

Unable to speak, I nod, even as my heart cracks a little more. I look away from him as emotions lodge in my throat. As much as I want to believe and trust him again, I’m not sure how I can. And that thought breaks me all over again.

CHAPTER 42

RAPUNZEL

Ijolt awake, heart pounding in terror as echoes of cruel laughter claw at the edges of my mind. The witch’s violet eyes gleam wickedly from the shadows of my nightmare, her fangs curled in a malicious grin as she whispers words that freeze my soul.

“He can't protect you, little bird. I'll take him from you first, and then you'll be mine again. Forever.”

Cold sweat trails down my spine, and I reach out instinctively for Ren. But my fingers close on empty sheets beside me. A sob catches in my throat, loneliness slicing through me like a blade as I remember why he isn’t here.

But even now, despite the pain he caused, my heart aches for him as images of my nightmare still linger.

I drag in a shaky breath as I sit up in bed. We’re leaving for Sylvalis bright and early in the morning, and I know I should rest, but I cannot fall back asleep.

Finik is still asleep in a nest of blankets on the other side of the bed as I slip from the room and step out into the hallway. Myfeet seem to move of their own accord, guided by some sort of instinct—a strange pull deep within. When I turn a corner, I see light spilling out from under a heavy oak door.

Ren’s voice drifts from within, murmuring words I can’t quite make out. Drawing in a deep breath, I quietly open the door and step into what must be the castle library.

My heart clenches at the sight of him. He’s standing next to Rowan and Rielle, bent over a map spread across a grand wooden table in the middle of the room.

Rowan looks at Ren. “Do you really think fifty guards aren't enough to keep her safe?” he asks incredulously.

“I won't risk her, Rowan. We must do whatever it takes to ensure her safety.”

The pain of his betrayal is still bitter and sharp, but the fierce devotion in his words shakes my resolve.How can he hurt me so deeply yet care for me so thoroughly?

“What will you do if she chooses Theron?” Rielle asks.

Ren clenches his jaw. “All I want is for her to be happy. Even if it isn't with me.”

My heart aches with the knowledge that he's willing to sacrifice his own happiness for mine. But, I cannot simply forget how he hurt me. I need the truth of my past, of who I am, before I can even think of repairing what we've lost.

I take a small step toward them, and Rowan's fox ears shift toward me, his head snapping in my direction; Ren and Rielle turning too.

“Rapunzel.” His eyes flash with concern. “Are you all right?”

I’m not quite sure how to answer that, so instead I reply, “I'm fine. I just… I couldn't sleep.”

Rowan nods toward the table. “We're plotting the safest route to Sylvalis.”

Moving closer, I study the maps, my gaze drifting over unfamiliar landscapes until the image of a star-shaped flowercatches my eye. It looks exactly like the ones embroidered across the bodice of the elegant blue gown I sketched in my book—the dress from a dream I once had. Beside the flower, a name is written in delicate script. “Valora,” I whisper softly.