Page 17

REN

I grit my fangs as I trail behind Rapunzel while she rides astride Aelric’s back, laughing at something he said.

Jealousy rears its head as he practically prances about, antlers gleaming.

I need to be rational. He’s a Stag. I’m a Fox. And Foxes are far more charming, witty, and handsome.

Despite telling myself this, when Rapunzel laughs again, a deep growl rumbles in my chest.

Rikan chuckles beneath me. “Try not to take it so badly, Fox,” he says. “Aelric is very charismatic—a natural flirt. You should see the way all the Does practically throw themselves at him.”

“Then, why hasn’t he settled with one yet?”

Rikan sighs. “He has it in his head that he’s destined to be mated to a human.”

“Well, he can’t have mine,” I snarl.

“Ah, but she’s not yet technically yours, now, is she?”

A low growl rises in my throat, and he laughs again. “Be calm, Fox. I’m only teasing you.”

I bite back another snarl, not sure I believe him.

It doesn’t take long to reach Aelric’s herd. Their village is surrounded by a high wood and stone walls. As we approach, the gates open, and we’re greeted by at least a dozen Stag warriors welcoming their leader, his brother warriors, and his guests home.

The village is not as small nor as primitive as I thought it might be. Beautiful wooden homes and businesses carved with intricate designs line a wide, bustling street. Deer Shifters move gracefully about in both human and animal forms, their curious eyes watching as we pass.

My hackles rise as several of the males begin blatantly showing off. One tosses his long golden hair, another stretches dramatically, flexing his bulging muscles.

Aelric walks beside us, his stride casual yet confident as he carries Rapunzel proudly on his back. “You'll stay in one of the guest rooms in my home.”

“Thank you,” Rapunzel says. “That’s very kind.”

“Not at all,” he replies. “You’ll be treated like a queen.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he smirks, clearly enjoying getting a rise out of me.

When we reach Aelric's rather large and unfortunately, impressive house, he lowers himself to allow her to easily slide off his back. As soon as she’s on her feet, he leans in close, and whispers in my ear. “If you're open to sharing a mate, Fox, we’d gladly accept you into our family Clan.”

A possessive growl escapes me. “Foxes do not share.”

Aelric darts a glance at Rapunzel. “Ah, but it’s not your decision, now, is it?” I bristle as he chuckles lightly, stepping back with raised hands, his eyes full of mischief. “Just an offer, my friend. If you change your mind, let me know.”

Looping my arm around Rapunzel’s waist, I tug her to my side, pleased when she practically melts against me.

“Foxes.” Aelric sighs and rolls his eyes. “So possessive.”

Aelric’s house is nothing short of grand.

A large wooden structure with tall ceilings and beautiful carvings throughout.

A servant leads us up the stairs to the second floor.

It overlooks the main entry and a large open dining area with several long tables and a massive hearth on the far wall with a roaring fire.

The servant gestures at two doors, side by side. “Your rooms,” she says. “If you need anything, let me know.”

Rooms? It’s on the tip of my tongue to demand that we stay together, but I hesitate, waiting to see how Rapunzel reacts. I know she trusts me, but I’m not sure how she feels about me as a potential mate.

My fox is already as set upon her as I am. But that means nothing. Aelric’s right: The choice is hers.

Absently, I reach up and trace the long silver scar along the right side of my face. I still don’t even know how she feels about this. I’m not sure how humans regard such things. For all I know, she may find me just as undesirable as the female Foxes do back home.

Rapunzel glances at me as she moves to the door on the right. “Finik and I are going to get settled.”

She’s made her decision. We’ll be sleeping in separate chambers.

“I’ll be right here if you need me.” I gesture to the room on the left.

I’d much prefer to share a bedroom, especially among so many Stag shifters posturing, trying to snag her attention, but I will not press the issue.

After a quick bath, I collapse back on the bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling overhead. My ears perk as I listen for any sounds of Rapunzel next door. My claws extend as I think of Aelric and his companions. If any of them try to tempt her away from me while were here, I’ll claw out their eyes.

A soft knock at my door startles me and I bolt upright. “Come in.”

I’m surprised when Rapunzel enters.

“Rapunzel?” Instantly, I rush to her side. “Are you all right?”

“I'm fine.” A lovely blush stains her cheeks. “I just… missed your company.”

She missed me. My chest warms, my earlier panic forgotten.

“It felt strange being alone in that room. Aside from Finik,” she adds.

Speaking of Finik… “Where is he?”

“He’s already asleep in the bed.”

I note that she’s wearing a new dress. The cream-colored silk shimmers in the candlelight. It clings to her like a second skin, accentuating the luscious curves of her body. Desire floods my veins. “You look beautiful.”

She glances down, shyly smoothing the fabric. “Aelric gave it to me as a gift.” Nervously, she tucks a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “I think they were serious about treating me like a queen. They drew me a bath and offered to give me a massage afterward, but I declined.”

Jealousy flares bright in my chest, my claws extending. They’re all going to die today.

“I remembered something,” she says, pulling me back from my dark thoughts.

“What is it?”

She holds out her sketchbook and flips to the page of the male with shoulder length, dark hair with silver tips on the ends and piercing blue eyes. The one reaching for her in her dreams.

Dread coils in my gut as Rapunzel flips to another page, this one of a large stag with black and silver fur.

“I think he’s a Stag Shifter,” she says. “He has the same vibrant blue eyes even,” she adds. “I want to ask Aelric about him. Perhaps he knows who this is.” She tilts her head to one side. “What do you think?”

As loath as I am to even see Aelric after all his flirting with my fated one, she’s right. Perhaps it might reveal some answers to her past. “I agree.”

A servant knocks on the door and then steps into the room, bowing low. “Pardon the intrusion, but you’ve been invited to dinner with Lord Aelric as his guests of honor.”

The dining hall is enormous, filled with robust laughter and rich, savory scents. Long tables are laden with large platters of food and drink. I grind my teeth as one of the servants guides Rapunzel to the seat next to Aelric and then gestures for me to sit further down on the opposite side.

Aelric’s Stag warrior brothers surround her immediately, offering Rapunzel choice cuts of meat and filling her glass with wine.

I watch them like a hawk, irritation prickling my skin as they hover around her, hanging on her every word as she describes her captivity with the Goblin witch and our journey thus far.

When she’s finished, Aelric places his hand atop hers.

“You are safe here, Rapunzel. And welcome to stay as long as you like.” I growl low in my throat as he darts a glance at me, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You and your Fox. And I hope your rooms are comfortable,” he adds. “Anything you want, you need only ask.”

“Thank you,” she replies. She takes the opportunity to pull out her sketchbook, opening it to the page with the dark-haired man.

“Does he look familiar to you?” She flips to the image of the Stag as well, along with a few other images of the same man.

“The Goblin witch took my memories, but I sometimes have dreams of people… places,” she adds.

“And I’m not sure if they’re memories or simply figments of my imagination. But I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”

Aelric’s brow furrows deeply as he studies both images carefully. He exchanges a glance with the other males and they each nod before he turns back to her. “I believe he may be a member of the royal family of Sylvalis. They are known for their black and silver hair and bright blue eyes.”

“Where is Sylvalis?” Rapunzel asks. “Is it very far from here?”

Although the kingdom of Sylvalis borders Cambryn, my people have very few dealings with the Deer Shifters, and I know little of the royal family. There is a long history of distrust between us, so we try to avoid each other as best we can.

“It’s not very far beyond Cambryn,” I tell her. I turn to Aelric. “Have you met any of the royal family of Sylvalis?”

He shakes his head. “We are of different herds,” he explains. “Our King and his family are distantly related to theirs, but I’ve never traveled to their kingdom.”

“What else do you know of them?” Rapunzel asks, eager for more information.

“Not much, beyond that the king and queen have two sons.” He frowns thoughtfully. “Perhaps that is one of the princes.” He pauses. “I know someone who might be able to tell us. If you leave this drawing with me, I will show it to her and see what she says.”

Rapunzel hands him the sketch. “Thank you.” She smiles. “Do you happen to know the names of the Sylvalis Princes?” she asks.

One of the other Stag’s answers. “The crown prince Theron and his younger brother, Falen.”

“Theron,” she murmurs, her gaze fixed on the far wall. “It sounds familiar...”

“Perhaps you know him,” Aelric offers. “Although, if you did, I doubt he would have let one so lovely slip through his fingers.” I bite back a growl as he leans in and tucks a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “Can I interest you in more wine?”

She shakes her head. “No, thank you.”

One of Aelric’s warrior brothers offers her a pastry. When I see him trying to feed it to her with his hand, I snatch it away and give it to her myself.

If anyone’s going to feed her, it will be me.

Another male flexes his biceps as he passes her a plate of fruit. I roll my eyes as a third begins reciting poetry, his gaze locked upon hers with a look of longing.

When a fourth starts massaging her shoulders, my patience snaps, and I shoot to my feet. “All right,” I snarl. “I think that’s enough for this evening.”

They glance at me, mildly startled by my outburst, then chuckle dismissively and return their attention to my fated one.

She sways as she stands from the table. “I feel a bit strange,” she murmurs. “As if I’m floating.”

Aelric moves to help her, but before he can intervene, I sweep her up into my arms. “I think it’s the wine, love.” I know for a fact that she only had one goblet, but it was rather strong. “Your body isn’t used to it.”

She nods and loops her arms around my neck as I carry her back to our rooms. When we reach the top of the stairs, she gazes up at me. “Your eyes really are quite mesmerizing, you know,” she murmurs dreamily. “Such a lovely color.”

“Why, thank you. I’m quite fond of them myself,” I quip, trying to distract myself from the heat rushing to my face.

My knees nearly buckle as she traces her fingers along the seam of my mouth. “Have you ever kissed anyone, Ren?”

Before I can answer, she reaches up and lightly strokes my left fox ear. “I love your ears.”

My eyes cross as pleasure shoots down my spine, and I stumble sideways, slamming into the wall with an agonized groan.

“Are you all right?” Concern furrows her brow. “Did I hurt you?”

“Quite the opposite,” I rasp, my pulse racing. “Fox ears are very sensitive. Even to the slightest touch.”

Undeterred, she trails her fingers along the outer edge of my ear again and my eyes roll back in my head as I bite back a growl of arousal.

I open the door to her room and kick it shut behind me before walking to the bed. My Fox is clawing beneath the surface to break free, desperate to claim and mark her as our mate.

Pulling back the comforter, I lower her onto the mattress. But when I try to release her, she grips my shoulders, and I lose my balance, tumbling onto the bed beside her.

Before I can move, she snuggles into my side, resting her head on my shoulder, placing her delicate hand on my chest, directly over my heart.

“Rapunzel?”

“Goodnight, Ren,” she murmurs sleepily, closing her eyes.

Carefully, I pull the blankets over us both, trying not to disturb her. When she nestles closer into my side, I bite back an agonized groan.

Gazing down at her sleeping form, I brush the hair back from her face, tucking it behind the curved shell of her ear. “Goodnight, my amira,” I whisper.