Page 26

RAPUNZEL

I ’m drowning.

Cold water pulls at my skirts, heavy and relentless, dragging me deeper. My heart pounds, terror clawing through me as I fight to reach the surface.

“Rapunzel!” Theron’s voice cuts sharply through the roar of the water. I kick harder, desperate to reach his outstretched hand. His blue eyes are wide with panic, his face stark with terror as he lunges into the churning river after me.

But the current is too strong. It drags me under, deeper and deeper until his face fades into the dark. The water closes around me, swallowing my screams—

“Rapunzel!” Strong hands grip my shoulders, shaking me awake. “Wake up. You’re safe.”

I jolt upright, gasping for air. Ren’s worried amber eyes stare down at me. He’s in his two-legged form again, his arms tight around my trembling form.

“Ren.” I blink back tears. “I dreamed of Theron. I fell into a river, and he tried to save me. But the current was so strong. I felt like I was drowning all over again.”

“Do you think it was a memory or… a nightmare?” he asks softly.

“I don’t know.” I swallow back a sob. “I was so scared.”

“Shhh,” Ren murmurs, pulling me against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my cheek. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

Ren holds me close, gently combing his fingers through my hair. The lingering darkness from my nightmare begins to fade, replaced by the comforting strength of his arms around me.

He tucks the blanket around my shoulders and then wraps his arms around me again. “Have I ever told you the epic tale of Lord Frostfang, Destroyer of Worlds?”

“No. I think I’d definitely remember something like that.”

He grins. “Would you like to hear it?”

A faint smile crests my lips, and I nod.

“When Rowan and I were just kits, he stormed into my chambers one evening, covered head to toe in mud, and announced he’d discovered an abandoned snowcat cub.

It was so tiny, it fit in the palm of his hand.

But it had fur whiter than moonlight and claws sharper than any blade.

We were convinced it would grow into a fearsome guardian.

“We took turns hiding him from our parents in our beds at night, sneaking milk and cream, and scraps of roasted meat from the kitchens, convinced we were raising the most fearsome beast Cambryn had ever seen.”

“And did he become fierce?” I ask, already guessing the answer.

“Oh, he was terrifying,” he says solemnly. “To socks, curtains, and unattended plates of food. But sadly, it turned out he was just a regular kitten. The runt of the litter, in fact, and about as fearsome as a cotton ball.”

“So much for your terrifying guardian,” I tease.

“Yes, it was quite the blow,” he admits, sighing dramatically. “But by that point, we were already attached, including my parents. We named him Lord Frostfang, Destroyer of Worlds, convinced the sheer power of his name would strike terror in the hearts of any who heard it.”

I laugh. “So what happened to Lord Frostfang, Destroyer of Worlds?”

“Well…” he clears his throat playfully. “Lord Frostfang turned out to be Lady Frostfang, but we didn’t discover this until she gave birth to a litter of kittens.

We kept one. My sister named him Sir Whiskers, and he’s ruled Cambryn with an iron paw ever since.

You’ll meet him soon enough. Be warned: he is a tyrant.

” He grins. “He spends most of his days lounging on the furniture and demanding belly rubs and food.”

“Now,” Ren continues, tilting his head thoughtfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “in the interest of fairness, it’s your turn. You must tell me a story about your childhood.”

My heart sinks, and my smile fades as a familiar ache blooms in my chest. Ren immediately winces, realizing his mistake. His expression softens, regret flickering across his features. “Forgive me, Rapunzel. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s all right,” I whisper, forcing a small smile. “I might not remember my own past, but I still have the stories I read while in the tower.”

His eyes spark with curiosity, his gaze softening with relief. “Stories, you say? What kind?”

My cheeks warm. “Mostly romance and some adventure.”

He arches a teasing brow, leaning closer. “Romance, hmm? Would these by chance involve a daring Fox Shifter who rescues beautiful maidens, defeats dastardly villains, and impresses everyone with his devastatingly good looks?”

I blink, caught off guard, then burst into laughter. “You’re impossible.”

He gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. “Why are you laughing? Clearly, this sounds like a tale worth telling. Fox Shifters are known far and wide for their bravery, charm, and noble hearts, after all.”

I roll my eyes, though a smile threatens to break free. “Well, most of the stories I’ve read involved human men or Fae or Elves. I don’t think I heard of any involving Shifters.”

“That’s a shame,” he tsks. “For I have heard of many. I’ve even heard true accounts about a Dragon Shifter who fell in love with a human and took her as his mate after she broke his curse.”

“Really?”

He nods. “They reside in Eryadon, in his castle by the sea.” He arches a teasing brow. “Shifters are far more interesting than human men, you know.”

“Is that so?” I bite my lower lip, fighting back laughter.

“Absolutely. And If you’ll allow me to, I can prove it to you.”

“How?”

In the blink of an eye, he shifts back into his Fox form. “If you were with a human male, you’d be freezing right now because he wouldn’t be able to shift into a Fox to keep you warm. This is just one of the many advantages of a shifter mate.”

“You’re right.” A smile curves my mouth as I decide to tease him. “I think a Dragon Shifter would be great. Especially since he could fly me wherever I wished to go.”

“A Dragon Shifter?” Ren jerks back, mock-offended. “Everyone knows Dragons have terrible tempers. You definitely don’t want one of those.”

I giggle. “Then what would you suggest?”

His intense gaze locks with mine. “I suggest a Fox Shifter.”

My heart stutters as I shake my head, a helpless smile tugging at my lips. Deep inside, my feelings swirl in confusion. Because despite how much I'm falling for Ren, the shadow of Theron, of what he possibly meant to me and who I’m supposed to be, still lingers, complicating everything.