Page 35

RAPUNZEL

A fter a few hours, hard rain begins pelting us mercilessly. Ren races through the trees, his muscles rippling beneath me with every graceful leap as I cling tightly to his fur.

The sound of rushing water up ahead draws my attention. Ren slows as we approach a massive waterfall, the shimmering water cascading down the cliff face wall before it spills into a large pool below.

Ren lowers himself to the ground and I slide off his back. As my feet hit the damp earth, he shifts into his two-legged form. “There’s a place to shelter nearby. I found it when I traveled through this area a few weeks ago.”

My cheeks heat as I track the small rivulets of water running down his bare chest before I force myself to look away. “Are you not cold?”

“I’m a Fox.” He flashes a roguish grin that stops my heart. “We’re a rather hearty people.” He offers me his hand, and I slip my palm into his without hesitation. “Now, come. Let’s get you warm.”

He leads me into a narrow passage between the cliff face and the falling water until we reach a secret cavern, hidden from the outside world.

The cave is surprisingly warm. Luminous crystals embedded in the walls emit a faint glow, guiding our path. There’s a small pool near the back, with steam rising enticingly from the surface.

Ren releases my hand. “You should get out of those wet clothes and into the warm water while I prepare some food.”

The idea of a bath is too tempting to ignore. Despite my nerves, when he turns his back, I shed my sodden cloak and dress, leaving me in only my undergarments.

I watch as Ren sets up a small fire in the center of the cave and arranges our bedding for the night. The muscles in his broad shoulder and back flex as he works, his movements graceful despite his tall, muscular form.

Finik scurries up to him. Sitting back on his haunches, he rests two paws on Ren’s foot to get his attention, his little nose and whiskers twitching as he releases a series of chirruping sounds.

Ren chuckles, and pulls out a handful of berries and some cheese from our pack.

“I haven’t forgotten about you, my friend.

” He sets it on a rock nearby, and Finik releases a squeak of delight, immediately diving into his feast. He shoves two berries and a piece of cheese into his mouth, his tiny cheeks puffed out comically as he chews.

My heart melts as Ren pulls out Finik’s blanket and pillow from our pack and arranges it on a soft bed of moss near the fire. “There.” He grins. “A bed fit for a squirrel king,” he teases.

When he’s finished eating, Finik waddles over to his bed and turns in a wide circle before collapsing onto his side. He curls his tail around himself and yawns as Ren strokes his fur. “Sleep well, my friend,” he murmurs.

I love how attentive Ren is to Finik. He knows how important my squirrel is to me, and he always makes sure to take care of him.

“I’m going to bring you some clothes, all right?” he calls over his shoulder.

My pulse quickens as he walks toward me, purposefully averting his eyes as I approach the edge of the pool.

He kneels and dips one finger into the water, considering, before arches a playful brow. “It’s a bit more rustic than an inn, but it has its charm, don’t you agree?”

I laugh. “Yes.”

He sets down a plate with some dried meat, fruits, and nuts from our supplies.

“I’ll leave this for you.” He gestures to a towel and a fresh nightshift.

“I’ll be back shortly. I’m going to check the surrounding area to make sure we’re alone for the evening.

Call out if you need me, and I’ll hear you. I’ll make sure to remain close by.”

He flashes a quick smile before leaving the cavern, disappearing into the night.

It doesn’t take him long, and by the time he returns I’m dressed in my nightshift, sitting atop one of the blankets he’s laid out near the fire.

His hair is damp and tousled from the rain as he sits beside me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Missed me terribly, didn’t you?” He teases. “I can tell by your pining expression.”

“Of course, I did,” I joke in return. “Did you miss me as well?”

I regret the question as soon as it leaves my mouth when his expression turns serious, reminding me that we still haven’t talked about our kiss in the garden.

He pulls another blanket from our pack and wraps it around my shoulders. “Are you warm enough?”

“Yes.” My heart melts at the extra bit of care he gives me. I lift one edge of the fabric in invitation. “We can share if you like.”

He hesitates a beat before joining me in my cocoon.

I nestle against him, enjoying the warmth of his body seeping deliciously into mine. As we sit before the fire, I think of my conversation with Aurora. She said I belong to no one but myself and that who I love is my choice.

I’ve tried to keep my Fox Prince at arm’s length, scared of what my past might reveal, afraid it might take me from him. But I cannot ignore my heart. And I refuse to let a past that I don’t remember dictate my future.

“Ren?”

He turns toward me, eyes warm and attentive. “Yes?”

Nervous flutters begin in my stomach. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened in the garden the other night.”

“Of course,” he says. His face is set in a neutral mask, but it’s easy to see the sadness and uncertainty behind his eyes. He looks down at his hands. “I should apologize. I told you I wouldn’t press you for anything, and I shouldn’t have kissed you, but I—”

I place a gentle hand on his chest, stopping him abruptly, my fingers trembling as I embrace the truth that my heart has known all along. I love Ren, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. Not anymore. “I’ve changed my mind.”

Ren freezes, his eyes widening as if he cannot quite believe his ears. “You... you have?”

Heart pounding, I lift my hand and lightly brush the tips of my fingers over his cheek, tracing the proud line of his jaw. His gaze holds mine, something akin to hope flickering across his expression.

“I tried so hard to keep you at arm’s length because I was afraid of what my past might hold, but the truth is… you’ve already found your way into my heart, Ren. And I don’t think I can let you go.” Tears sting my eyes as I cup his cheek. “Nor do I want to.”

Placing his hand over mine, he leans into my touch.

“From the moment we met, all I’ve wanted was to prove myself, to be worthy of you, my amira.

To show you that I could be the mate you deserve.

” He presses a tender kiss to my palm. “If you choose me, I swear, I will spend the rest of my life worshipping you.” His eyes search mine earnestly.

“But please know, I will never rush you. I will wait however long you need to decide if—”

“I’m not going to let the past dictate my future,” I state firmly. “No matter what we discover, I want to be with you. I choose you , Ren.”

A strange mixture of disbelief and longing flits across his features. “Say it again,” he murmurs, his intense gaze holding mine.

A smile crests my lips. “I choose you, Ren.”

His amber eyes darken, studying my face like he’s memorizing every detail. As if I’m the most precious thing in the world to him.

Slowly, he leans in and the brush of his lips against mine is featherlight, a question more than a claim. He’s giving me the chance to pull away, but I don’t.

I couldn’t if I wanted to.

My breath hitches as he presses closer, his lips soft and coaxing. The warmth of his body seeping into me, setting my entire body aflame.

His fingers skim up my arm, slow and reverent, before settling at my waist. My body hums in awareness of his as he pulls me toward him and deepens our kiss.

I sigh against his mouth, my hands finding his shoulders, sliding up to tangle in his thick, silken hair. He groans as I massage the tips of his sensitive fox ears, and our kiss shifts from soft and searching to something more—something urgent and desperate.

With a low growl, he rolls me beneath him. I part my thighs and he settles between them, the hard length of his stav pressing insistently against the entrance to my core.

“Say it again,” he murmurs into my mouth, tightening his arms around me, holding me as if he never wants to let me go. “Tell me you’re mine, Rapunzel.”

“I’m yours,” I whisper.

He crushes his lips to my own in a searing kiss. Nothing exists outside of this moment. Of the delicious weight of his powerful form over mine, pinning me beneath him. He cups my left breast and sparks dance beneath my skin as he brushes his thumb over the already stiff peak.

“Ren,” I breathe, arching up into him. “Please.”

I’m not even sure what I’m asking for. I only know that I don’t want this to end.

Reaching up, I trace my fingers over the sharp point of one ear. He growls and rips his mouth from mine, panting heavily. His eyes burn with fire and hunger as I gaze up at him, my heart racing so wildly I’m sure he can hear it.

When I reach for his ear again, he grasps my wrist, stopping me. He presses a kiss to my palm. “Careful, love,” he murmurs, voice like silk. “If you keep doing that, I will be tempted to claim you.”

And gods help me, I think I want him to.