Page 21

RAPUNZEL

R en’s steady, rhythmic pace carries us swiftly through the woods. The forest around us is eerily silent, and my thoughts churn endlessly as I think of everything we’ve learned.

Now that I know who the man is in my drawings, I finally have a direction… somewhere to begin my search for the truth.

Prince Theron could be my betrothed. But if he is, what does that mean for me and Ren?

Ren is charming, witty, intelligent, loyal, and brave. He makes me feel safe and cared for. And even though we’ve only known each other a short while, I’m already halfway in love with him, and I don’t know what to do.

How can I build a future with him when I don’t remember my past?

Ren comes to an abrupt stop near a stream, interrupting my troubled thoughts. “We should rest for a bit and have something to eat,” his voice echoes in my mind. “The river is still a ways off.”

When Ren shifts back into his human form, it’s easy to see the exhaustion shadowing his amber eyes. We stand facing each other awkwardly, the distance between us feeling larger than mere steps.

“I—” we both begin simultaneously and then stop.

A faint smile tugs at Ren’s lips, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You go first.”

“No. It’s all right,” I reply a bit nervously. “Please. You, first.”

He hesitates a moment, his shoulders tense, as if unsure where to begin.

He runs a hand through his hair. “About this morning… I need you to know something.” His gaze holds mine as he takes a small step closer.

“You did nothing wrong. I pulled away because I wanted you too much. Because I was afraid of losing control.”

I frown. “What do you mean when you say you’re afraid of ‘losing control?’ ”

“Like Wolf Shifters, my people are both animal and man. The two halves of our nature in a constant battle for dominance,” he explains. “I did not want to lose myself in the moment and risk pushing you to do anything you are not ready for… or anything you do not want.”

He shakes his head. “I haven’t been entirely truthful with you, Rapunzel. I—when I first saw you, I felt the pull of the fated bond. And then when you were able to hear me speak in your mind, I knew it was true. Only fated mates can speak to each other in this way.”

“Can you hear me like this?” I try to project my question to him.

“Yes,” he replies in my mind. “I can hear you like this.”

I inhale sharply. “Can you read all of my thoughts?”

“No. I can only pick up the ones you specifically send to me.”

Ren continues. “Humans do not have fated bonds, and… I wasn’t sure how you’d react, so I kept it a secret.”

“Why?”

He looks down at his hands. “Because I was afraid you would not want me.”

“Because of your scar,” I murmur, more to myself than to him. Reaching up, I cup his cheek. “But I’ve already told you: that doesn’t matter to me.”

“I know that now, but I didn’t then.” Guilt mars his features. “And it’s not the only truth I withheld.”

Unease prickles my flesh. “What else have you not told me?”

“I am not just a simple Fox Shifter, I’m the second prince of Cambryn.” Shock ripples through me as he continues. “Even though I feared your rejection, I worried that if you knew that I was royalty…” His voice trails off.

“That I would choose you because of your title,” I finish for him, and he nods.

“But then we kissed. You chose me for me.” A sad smile crests his lips.

“You actually wanted me for me. And for a moment, I lost myself. My inner Fox already considers you ours, even though we’ve not officially bonded.

I worried that if we went any further, he would claim you and mark you as our mate before I could even explain to you what it would mean. ”

“What would it mean, Ren? Tell me.”

“We mark our mates by biting them, creating a scar that alerts others of the claim,” he explains. “The mark is then sealed with a mating.” His amber eyes meet mine evenly. “And Foxes mate for life. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you, Rapunzel.”

My breath catches, warmth blooming deep within.

“Please, forgive me,” he pleads. “I should have told you the truth from the start.”

Even though it hurts, I understand why he withheld the truth. And if I’m being entirely honest with myself, my heart has already forgiven… from the moment he first confessed.

But it doesn’t matter anymore. Not now that I know there may be someone out there waiting for me. How can I give myself to Ren when I don’t even know who I really am and when it may mean betraying a vow I made to another?

The truth of Theron’s existence is an invisible wall between us, a boundary that I don't yet know how to cross.

“I forgive you, Ren.” Sadness tightens my chest at the hope that fills his eyes. I want so much to be his, but I cannot. I hate knowing that my next words will only hurt him. “I want you too. More than anything. But it’s not that simple. Not anymore.”

“Because of Theron,” he murmurs, devastated.

I nod.

“What if we’re wrong, Rapunzel? What if you aren’t his missing betrothed that everyone believes is dead?”

I’ve considered this, but until I go to Sylvalis, I cannot know for sure.

“But, what if I am? I cannot simply ignore the possibility, Ren.” I search his eyes, pleading for him to understand.

“He’s not just a dream anymore. The man in my drawings is real.

And now that I know who he is, I must find him.

“He’s a connection to my past. And even if I cannot fully remember it, I can’t pretend it’s not important. There are people I left behind, people who might be searching for me even now. I might have loved him. And if my memories return, what if those feelings return as well?”

I blink back tears. “What if I regain my memories, and I find myself a completely different person? That this version of me is not who I truly am? How can I give you my heart when I don’t even know if it’s still mine to give? How can we build a future when I don’t remember my past?”

A terrible ache builds in my chest as I speak the words I know must be said.

The last thing I want is to cause Ren any pain.

Fates curse me, I’m already halfway in love with him, but I cannot ignore what I’ve learned of Prince Theron.

If I am his lost betrothed, I can’t allow myself to fall for Ren.

Until I discover the truth of my past, I must do whatever it takes to guard my heart… for both of our sakes. “I’m sorry, Ren.” I shake my head. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“It’s all right,” he murmurs, voice rough with emotion. “I understand.”

Sadness tightens my chest. “I know I’ve no right to ask this of you, but—”

“What is it?”

“Will you please take me to Sylvalis?” I ask. “Will you help me find Prince Theron? To learn the truth of my past.”

“Of course,” he replies solemnly. “I will always help you, Rapunzel.”

Sadness lances my chest. I open my mouth to speak, but I cannot seem to find the words.

Before I can say anything, continues, “Besides,” he adds. “I think you’d miss my company if you had to travel on your own. Especially my singing.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite touch his eyes, and my heart breaks a little more.

I offer him a faint smile in return. “Especially that,” I agree.