Page 29

REN

I open my eyes to buttery morning light filtering in through gauzy curtains. I’m back in my two-legged form, but when I try to move, everything still hurts.

The scent of herbs and clean linen fill my nose. I’m lying in a bed… somewhere unfamiliar.

Panic sharpens my senses. Biting back a wince, I push myself up to sitting. I’m covered with a sheet and my wounds are wrapped in thick gauze. I’m unclothed and too weak to use my shifter magic to conjure the appearance of clothing.

Struggling to recall how I got here, my gaze travels over the small but cozy room.

Pale wooden beams arch overhead, vines curling around them in loose spirals.

The scent of wildflowers lingers in the air, mixing with something earthy and faintly metallic.

It’s the dried blood staining the bandage around my torso.

Draping the sheet over my hips, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and sharp pain spears through my shoulder and side, stealing the breath from my lungs.

“Easy now.” My head snaps toward the woman’s voice as she walks through the door. “You are among friends.”

Despite her words, I give her a wary look.

She’s Fae. Her translucent red dragonfly wings flutter as she walks to my side. Her dark brown hair is tied back in a tight braid and she appears rather young, but as her sapphire eyes study me, I wonder if perhaps she is much older than she seems.

“I won’t hurt you.” She raises her hands in a show of peace. “My name is Flora. I tended your wounds.”

Worry tightens my chest as myriad images flood my mind of our attack. “Where is Rapunzel?”

She tilts her head, gesturing behind her.

Relief fills me when I see Rapunzel curled up asleep on the sofa against the far wall.

Finik is asleep in her pocket, only the tip of his tail peeking out.

Her body is turned toward me, her hands folded beneath her cheek, her silver hair a tangled cascade over the cushions.

Dark shadows line her eyes, but her breaths are soft and even as she sleeps.

“She refused to leave your side. She told us your name is Ren,” the Fae woman murmurs. “She only just fell asleep a few hours ago. I put a spell around her to mute sound so that she will not be disturbed as she rests,” Flora adds.

“How long was I unconscious?”

“A day and a half.”

She hands me a bundle of clothes as her gaze flicks to my face—my scar. My right hand flies up and my fingers brush over jagged, uneven ridges of skin. A sickening wave of dread floods me as I trace the ugly, twisting scar from above my brow, down over my cheek.

Still weakened from my wounds, I cannot conjure the illusion to fade its appearance.

As if reading my thoughts, she continues. “I understand what scars mean for Shifters, but your injuries were severe. Your body is still healing, so I suggest you not use any of your shifting abilities for at least two days.”

“It’s all right.” I’m not as concerned as I would have been before. Rapunzel has already seen my scar and she didn’t judge me for it. “It’s an old wound.”

But as I trace a finger over the jagged line, shame floods my system. Female Fox Shifters reject a male for their scars because it’s a sign of weakness—a symbol that the male cannot protect himself, much less a mate and kits.

I nearly failed Rapunzel. If not for Thalric I would be dead and my fated one would have been left to fend for herself all alone. When I found her, all I wanted to do was prove myself—to show her that I was worthy to become her mate. But now, I realize that I am not.

“I live here with my sisters Lyra and Maribelle, and our adopted daughter, Aurora.”

Before I can ask more questions, a large shadow fills the doorway, drawing my attention.

It’s Thalric.

The Gargoyle’s golden eyes meet mine, sharp as steel. “We need to talk,” he says in a deep, rumbling voice like gravel.

I dip my chin. “Allow me to change first.”

Knowing how humans feel about nudity, I dress under the blanket in case Rapunzel awakens.

Pushing through the pain, I force myself to stand from the bed. I glance at Rapunzel, unsure about leaving her.

Flora must sense my hesitation because she murmurs, “Rapunzel is safe here.”

With one last glance at my fated one, I nod and follow Thalric outside.

The garden behind the cottage is small but full of vegetation, with herbs, wildflowers, and curling vines that spill from clay pots and carefully cultivated garden beds, filling the air with a sweet, earthy scent.

It’s enclosed by a fence of woven willow branches, separating it from the dense forest beyond.

A large pine tree shades the back half of the house and the small courtyard just outside the door.

I turn to Thalric, studying him properly for the first time.

He is half a head taller than me and heavily built, like most of his kind.

He is dressed in a black kilt. His gray skin appears like stone, stretched over thick cords of muscle.

A long, gray, tapered tail swishes lazily behind him.

Massive bat-like wings are tucked against his back.

His knees are bent forward, his weight balanced on the balls of his large, three-toed feet, that end in sharp, black talons, built for gripping stone.

His hands, however, have four fingers and a thumb, tipped with black claws.

Curved horns arch back from his head. Pointed elf-like ears peek up through his shoulder-length black hair. His expression is stern and his posture rigid. His facial features are a bit larger than a human’s with a proud nose and thick ridges along his brows and cheekbones.

“Thank you for helping us.”

Thalric nods, then opens his mouth to speak, but he’s interrupted as a woman calls out, rushing toward him. “Oh, I’m glad you’re back!”

She’s human and young, maybe early twenties, with long brown hair with golden highlights, sun-kissed skin the color of warm sand, and striking violet eyes.

Thalric’s expression shifts in an instant, his sharp edges softening as he smiles at her.

Ah. I recognize that look. It’s the same one I’m sure I have whenever I see Rapunzel.

“This is Aurora,” he introduces her, and I don’t miss the way he curls the tip of his tail possessively around her ankle. “Auri, this is Ren.”

This must be Flora’s daughter.

She gives me a friendly smile. “It’s nice to see you’re finally awake, Ren. Rapunzel has been beside herself with worry.” She glances around. “Where is she?”

“Sleeping inside,” I inform her. “It’s lovely to meet you as well.”

Before she can speak again, Flora calls from the house. “Aurora!”

“I’ll be back in a bit.” She sighs and then calls out. “I’m coming, Flora.”

Thalric’s gaze tracks her as she walks back to the house, his attention only returning to me after she disappears inside. “Where were you headed when you were attacked?”

“Cambryn.”

His expression darkens. “There have been many reports of bandits between here and there. Orcs, ogres, and trolls as well.”

“And where exactly is here ?” I ask.

“Oakvale. In the kingdom of—”

“Lumaria,” I finish his sentence. We share our northern border with them. “I’ve heard of this place. It’s known for the elderberry wine festival, is it not?”

He nods. “We sent word to your family.” My Fox ears prick up. “Rapunzel told us who you are, Prince Rennard of Cambryn.”

My jaw tightens as I realize his earlier question about our destination was a test, to see if I’d divulge the truth. I’m not sure I like that they know the truth of who I am, especially since we are still being hunted. In a small village like this, word can travel fast.

As if sensing my worry, Thalric adds, “Rapunzel told us of the Goblin witch—Drusilla—and how you saved her. Don’t worry. We’ve told no one who you are, and we will keep it that way.”

“Thank you.”

“Perhaps it would be wise to remain here for a few days to ensure you are fully healed.”

“I worry that any delay will give the witch and her mercenaries more time to locate us.” I run a hand roughly through my hair. “We were fortunate the men who attacked us were simply bandits and not minions sent by the Goblin.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Thalric says ominously. “I found this on them.”

He holds out a satchel and I take it. A purple gemstone is nestled inside. “What is this?”

“My father says hunters use it to mask their smell when they are hunting prey,” he replies.

“Flora sensed dark magic imbued in the stone. I discovered one of these on each of the men who attacked you. And when I removed it, I detected a faint hint of licorice on their clothing.” He growls low in his throat. “Only Goblins carry this scent.”

Ice freezes in my veins.

“I don’t believe they were ordinary bandits,” he adds, further fueling my concern.

I swallow hard. “I agree.”

“You are safe here,” he says. “The Fae sisters are powerful and my family lives nearby, in the woods.” He gestures to the forest beyond the garden fence.

“We can protect you. I suggest you wait at least a full day before you leave to give yourself time to heal.” He curls his hands into fists at his sides.

“If you wish to keep your mate safe, you must be at your full strength.”

Although she is not officially my mate, I do not correct him of this assumption. Instead, I nod in agreement.

Auri’s voice calls from inside the house. “Thalric!”

“Excuse me.” He glances toward her, longing easily read in his features. “I’ll return shortly.” He strides toward the house without another word.

I remain in the garden, staring down at the grass, as I run my fingers absently along my scar, the shame of my failings filling me anew.

Rapunzel’s soft voice drifts through the quiet. “Ren?”

I freeze as she walks up behind me, unable to make myself turn around.

My heart pounds as I clench my jaw. She’s seen my scar in all its terrible glory.

She knows what it means. After what happened with the bandits, she will realize that the rejection I’ve faced in the past, from my own people, is warranted.

And I cannot bear the look I imagine must be on her face… Disgust. Pity. Rejection.

Agony spears through me as I pull at the threads of my shifter magic, desperate to weave the illusion back over my skin, to hide my ugliness and my great shame from her, but it’s no use.

Sharp pain rips through my body, sending me to my knees with a choked growl even as I bring my hand to my face, trying to shield it from her view.

“Ren!” She drops to her knees at my side.

She reaches for me, but I flinch from her grasp. “Don’t!”

“What’s wrong?” she asks, panicked.

“Don’t look at me.”

She falls silent. Cursing myself, I open my mouth to apologize but before I can, she cups my face with both hands.

I freeze as her blue eyes search mine. “If this is about your scar, I’ve already seen it, Ren.”

I hold my breath as her gaze travel over the jagged line—the flaw that marks me as unworthy.

“It’s not just that.” Despair fills my veins.

“It’s what it means... what it stands for.

There’s a reason female Fox Shifters reject males for their scars—because they mark a male as weak, unable to protect a mate and any kits they may have.

I just didn’t want to accept it. But I realize now that it’s true.

I nearly failed you, Rapunzel.” I admit my shame aloud.

“I barely defeated the bandits. If not for Thalric, I would have died, leaving you alone in a world you do not recognize nor remember.”

“Ren, you’re being too hard on yourself.”

“Don’t you see?” I shake my head. “From the moment we met, all I’ve wanted to do is to prove myself to you.

Show you that I am worthy to be your mate.

” Sadness tightens my chest. “Even after I learned of the Stag Prince—Theron, I still—” I swallow hard.

“I wanted you to choose me. To realize that you don’t need him.

That I would be the better mate. But now I realize that I was wrong. ”

Her fingers tighten as I try to pull back, but her hands are unyielding.

She tilts her head, her silver hair slipping over her shoulder, catching the light like spun silk.

Her thumb lightly brushes over my cheekbone, tracing over the thick, jagged mark, and I’m surprised when I don’t see revulsion or pity in her gaze.

As her blue eyes meet mine, full of warmth, I realize she isn’t staring at my scar, she is looking at me.