Page 19

RAPUNZEL

I change as quickly as I can and then rush back into the hallway, where Ren and Aelric are waiting by the stairs. Ren’s shoulders are tense, while Aelric appears unbothered, his arms crossed as he leans against the banister.

“I'm just suggesting,” Aelric drawls, eyes sparkling with mischief, “perhaps try smiling instead of growling at everyone. You’re a Fox. Aren’t your kind supposed to be charming and witty?”

Ren scowls. “Maybe I would smile if I wasn’t surrounded by Stag Shifters prancing around, showing off their antlers and flexing their muscles.”

“Jealousy suits no one.” Aelric smirks.

Ren opens his mouth for another sharp reply but stops abruptly as his gaze meets mine. His expression softens and his lips curve in a slow smile that melts away my earlier embarrassment.

Aelric offers me his hand, but Ren steps in front of him and slips his arm around my waist. My heart flutters as his possessive gesture as we walk downstairs with Aelric.

When we reach the dining hall, several platters are already set out for our breakfast, but it’s the woman sitting at the table that captures my attention.

From the sharp points of her ears and the graceful way she moves as she stands to greet us, I realize she is a Doe Shifter. She’s beautiful with vivid honey-colored eyes and light brown hair that cascades down her back.

“My name is Elaena.” She smiles warmly. “Aelric mentioned your… unique predicament,” she says rather delicately. “He said you needed help possibly identifying someone of the Sylvalis royal family.”

“Do you know them?” I ask.

“Not well,” she replies, “but enough that I believe I recognize the male in your drawing. Tell me, do you have any other pictures so I may confirm?”

I pull out my sketchbook, flip it open to the images of the Stag and a few more drawings of the man I believe is him, then slide it across the table to her.

“Oh.” She gazes in awe at the images. “Your skill is quite good. There is no question about it.” She flips back and forth between the man and the Stag. “This is definitely Theron, the Crown Prince of Sylvalis.”

The world tilts, my pulse thundering in my ears. Beside me, Ren goes utterly still.

“What can you tell us about him?” I ask.

“He has quite a tragic story actually.” Elaena frowns. “He lost his betrothed a few years back.”

My heart stops.

“What happened to her?” Aelric asks.

“I’m not quite sure of all the details, mind you.” She turns to me. “I heard the story in passing, when I went to visit my cousin in Sylvalis a few months ago.”

I’m on the edge of my seat as she continues.

“Apparently, Theron’s betrothed fell into a river on his family’s estate.

She was swept away by the current and drowned.

” She sighs. “The poor prince was beside himself. And since they never found her body, he refuses, even to this day, to believe that she’s truly gone.

” She shakes her head. “They say he still searches for her, refusing to give up hope.”

Unease ripples down my spine. “Do you… know anything else about her? The woman he was promised to?”

“All I know is that she was human and it’s said they were deeply in love.”

My chest tightens, and I feel like I can barely breathe as I gaze at the drawing of Prince Theron.

Could it be? Could he truly be my betrothed?

Closing my eyes, I remember my dream. He reaches for me as I’m falling. But as I struggle to recall anything else, no memories rush forth… only shadowed images that vanish like wisps of smoke as I try to hold onto them.

But what if my dream is real? What if I’m his? I gaze at the picture and trace my hand across the page. What if I’m the one he is looking for?

The sketchbook trembles in my hands, and I clutch it tighter, as if it could somehow anchor my swirling thoughts.

I can sense Ren’s gaze upon me. And when I finally lift my head, I see the same questions burning in his eyes that I cannot bring myself to voice.

For the first time, since leaving the tower, I have finally found something that could lead to the truth. But as Ren’s gaze holds mine, I feel so lost.

I have no idea who I truly am or who my heart truly belongs to.