Page 94

Baring my fangs, I glare at Drusilla. I curl my hands into fists, my claws lengthening when suddenly, I realize that I’m free. She hasn’t bound me as she has the others.

My gaze sweeps over Rapunzel and her family before settling on Theron. The Goblin must be weak. Using so much magic must be draining her powers.

“Let them go,” I snarl. “This ends now.”

Drusilla laughs, eyes glittering with disdain. “Or what, Fox prince? You’ll charm me to death?”

My mind races, struggling to formulate a plan. I cannot allow her to take Rapunzel. Not again.

Sudden movement catches my eye. Behind the throne, I see Finik. I hadn’t even realized he’d climbed down from my shoulder.

The brave little squirrel is carefully creeping toward Tristan. Quietly, he scurries up the column and begins gnawing at the vines around his wrists, unnoticed by the Goblin.

Hope flares in my chest. Tristan’s gaze meets mine, and I flick my eyes toward Theron and Rapunzel.

Once Tristan is free, he can tackle the Stag Prince away from his sister while I handle the witch.

Understanding immediately, Tristan gives me the barest nod.

Now, I just need to distract Drusilla long enough for Finik to finish chewing through the vines.

“I hate to ruin your dramatic moment.” Sarcasm laces my tone. “Evil witch, dark plans… standard villain stuff. But honestly, have you ever considered that maybe you're going about this the wrong way? Have you ever thought to yourself that maybe there’s something else you could try to regain your powers?”

Drusilla narrows her eyes, suspicion flaring in their dark depths. “Like what, exactly?”

“Rapunzel and I found someone who could remove your magic from her and transfer it back to you.”

“And just why would you do such a thing?” she asks, unconvinced.

“Because we knew you'd never leave us alone until you got your powers back. We didn’t want to live the rest of our lives constantly having to look over our shoulders for you.”

She eyes me skeptically. “And how exactly would you restore my magic to me?”

“It’s an ancient spell. Which is probably why you’ve never heard of it,” I add. “But it must be performed by a very skilled witch. We were going to leave tomorrow to travel to—”

“You expect me to believe this?” She scoffs. “Lies won't save your beloved princess.”

“I’m not lying.” I meet her gaze evenly. “Let me prove it to you, and we can both have what we want. You can reclaim your powers, and I can have my mate.”

Behind her, Finik works furiously, the vines beginning to loosen around Tristan as the squirrel gnaws at them with his tiny teeth.

The Goblin sneers, purple eyes flashing dangerously. “If you are lying, I will kill you.”

“Promises, promises,” I reply, keeping my voice steady even as my pulse pounds in my ears. “I’m a Fox, not an Ogre, Drusilla. I’m smart enough to know better than to cross a witch.”

The vines around Tristan sag, and he gives a fierce nod, signaling that he’s ready.

Rage blisters through me. The witch doesn’t realize it yet, but she is already dead. I will end her today. This is the last time that she will ever threaten my mate.

CHAPTER 54

RAPUNZEL

Without warning, Tristan slams into Theron with a fierce roar, knocking him away from me, and breaking the grip on my arm. Across the way, Ren swiftly shifts into his Fox form, his copper fur gleaming under the fractured sunlight as he lunges at Drusilla.

The witch snarls, face twisted with fury, hurling chairs, vases, and debris toward Ren with sharp flicks of her wrist. Power crackles across her fingers, but it’s weak and sputtering like dying embers.

Ren moves with fluid and lethal grace, dodging her attacks as shattered wood and porcelain scatter across the marble floor around him.