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“Prince Ren.”

“The Fox Prince?” His brows shoot up toward his forehead. “Are you serious?”

I nod, cheeks warming. “Yes.”

“And to think, you could’ve hadthis.” He gestures grandly to himself, striking a dramatic pose.

Laughter bursts from me. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’ve always liked that about me,” he says, pulling me into another hug. This time he lifts me off the ground and spins me in a circle. “It’s so good to have you back, Zel.”

The use of my old nickname makes my throat tighten as images resurface from when we were younger—long summer days full of laughter and happiness.

A guard rounds the corner and walks toward us, bowing deeply. “Forgive the interruption, but a raven has come with a message from Sylvalis,” he says to Theron.

Theron turns to me. “It’s probably my family. I’m sure they’re worried. The moment I received the message from Cambryn about you, I left immediately.” He smiles warmly at me. “I wanted to get here as fast as I could to see you.”

“I’m glad you came,” I tell him, and I mean it. I’ve missed him.

He steps back, then takes my hand in his. “You’re happy? Truly?”

“I am.”

“Then that’s enough for me.”

Before I can respond, he pulls me into one last bear hug, practically squeezing the air out of my lungs.

“Theron!” I laugh.

“Just making sure you’re real, my darling Rapunzel,” he whispers into my hair. “My oldest and dearest friend.”

When he pulls back, he flashes a handsome smile. He raises his hand and a wisp of green magic swirls around his palm like smoke before he conjures a rose out of thin air. I smile as he tucks it behind my ear and then bows dramatically. “I shall return shortly.”

He starts to leave but turns back and takes my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of my knuckles with a mischievous wink. “Try not to miss me too much while I’m gone,” he teases.

Warmth fills my heart as I watch him leave with the guard. Thank the gods that went as well as it did. I was so worried about breaking his heart.

Happiness sparks deep within. I need to find Ren. I have to tell him I forgive him. That I love him, fully and truly. And even though he hurt me, I believe that love can mend our broken trust. There is nothing I want more than to have him by my side once again.

As I start back for the castle, a hand clamps over my mouth from behind. Panic seizes my chest as a strong arm wraps tight around my waist. “Shhh,” a man whispers in my ear. “It’s me.”

I stiffen, awareness prickling through me as I recognize the voice.Ren?

CHAPTER 47

REN

Afew minutes earlier…

Crouching behind a very prickly shrub, I stifle a sneeze as a fern frond pokes me directly in the nose. “Can you see anything?” I whisper to my brother. “What are they doing?”

Rowan sighs beside me. “We have the same vantage point here, Ren. Why are you even asking?”

“Because I’m emotionally compromised and clearly suffering from an acute case of jealousy,” I say dramatically.

My ears twitch as I squint across the garden toward Rapunzel and Prince Theron, desperate to know what they are discussing.

Are they declaring their love for each other even now? Is he charming her with his magnificent horns and his chiseled stag looks? Is he reciting poetry, trying to sweep her off her feet with honeyed words?