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Rowan props himself up on one elbow, studying me carefully. “What if she chooses Prince Theron? I overheard some of the guards speaking. They claim he’s on his way here even now.”

“Then I’ll fight even harder. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her to choose me.”

“And if she still decides she wants him?” Rowan asks.

I clench my jaw. “Then I’ll accept it. But I’m not going to just give up and leave without trying.”

Rowan crosses the room and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Then I’ll stand by you, brother, no matter what happens. Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”

“Thank you, Rowan.” Gratitude swells my chest. “Now, let’s go find her.”

Determination steels me as I step out into the hallway. Rowan walks beside me as we make our way to the stairs. One of the servants told us the princess was having breakfast, and I’m hoping we’ll find her in the dining hall.

When we round the corner, I stop dead in my tracks when I see Rapunzel standing in the hallway. Intense longing fills me. Sunlight spears through the windows, casting her in a lovely golden glow. Gods, she’s the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen.

She’s speaking with a man with short, silver-white hair and piercing blue eyes, the same as hers. I recognize him from her drawings. He must be her older brother.

“Ren,” she calls me over, and it doesn’t escape my notice that she greets me the way she used to—without my title and full name. This is a good sign, I believe. “This is my brother, Tristan,” she says. “Tristan, this is Prince Ren and his brother, Prince Rowan of Cambryn.”

Tristan’s gaze sharpens with interest as he studies me, inclining his head respectfully. “Thank you for bringing my sister home, Prince Ren.” He turns to Rowan. “Our family is in your debt.”

“Our father has a saying.” Rowan steps forward. “There is no debt among friends.”

Tristan nods at him—one crown prince regarding another. “Wise words,” he replies.

Rowan engages him in conversation about our journey from Cambryn and when he glances over his shoulder at me, I realize he’s doing this to allow me a moment alone with Rapunzel.

I turn my attention to her. “May I speak with you?” Before she can reply, I add, “Privately.”

She nods.

Finik peeks his head out of her pocket, climbs onto her shoulder and then leaps to mine.

I stroke his fur as he nuzzles my cheek, making a small sound almost like a purr. “I missed you too my friend.” I chuckle as he makes a chirruping sound, as if telling me what he thinks about this new place.

“I think he wants to go outside,” Rapunzel says. “We can talk in the gardens if you’d like.”

Soft buttery morning light greets us as we walk outside. A cool breeze weaves through the trees, carrying the delicate scent of jasmine and roses.

Finik hops off my shoulder to go explore, and I turn to Rapunzel. I want so much to gather her in my arms, but I cannot. Not yet. There are things I must say. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Her blue eyes search mine. “What is it?”

Words of apology and love balance on the tip of my tongue, but before I can speak, one of the guards approaches. “Princess.” He bows low. “Forgive the interruption, but Prince Theron has arrived.”

Over her shoulder, I notice a male striding swiftly toward us. Her mouth falls open and my heart plummets as I recognize him immediately. He is just as she drew him in her sketchbook.

Prince Theron is striking. We are of similar height, but he seems much taller with the proud regal stag horns that crown his head. He has the typical lean muscular build of his people, with broad shoulders and sharply cut facial features.

Shoulder-length black hair, tipped with silver ends, falls around his face. Two pointed ears stick up from the silkenstrands. His vivid blue eyes are intense as they travel over my amira.

“Rapunzel!” He gathers her up in his arms, spinning her around. “Thank the gods. I knew it.” He cups her face with reverent hands. “I knew you were alive.”

Rapunzel’s stunned expression softens into something warm, undeniably moved by his statement.

Theron suddenly steps back, noticing me. “Who is this?”

“Theron,” she says, obviously flustered. “This is Prince Renard of Cambryn. He saved me and brought me home.”