Page 38

REN

M y fingers tighten against the wood as I stare at the image on the poster. Footsteps draw my attention, and I look up as Merlyn walks toward me with a tray of food. I fold the parchment and tuck it under my arm.

A sharp, gnawing dread curls in my gut as I carry our food upstairs, the parchment heavy as a stone. My heart pounds painfully against my ribs. This could be the truth she’s been searching for—her chance to reclaim her stolen past.

But what if it’s not? What if it’s only a coincidence? A cruel twist of fate, taunting us with the hint of an answer that’s not really hers at all?

I know what I should do. I should march upstairs to our room, and hand this poster to Rapunzel. She deserves answers. She deserves the truth, even if I’m not entirely certain what that truth is.

Worry coils tight around my chest. What if this fragment of the past steals her from me? I cannot deny the selfish, ugly panic gripping my heart.

What if she sees this and believes it’s proof she belongs somewhere else? With someone else? The thought feels like a dagger in my heart.

I’ve never felt anything as terrifying as this—this desperation, this bone-deep fear of losing her.

“I love you, Rapunzel,” I whisper to the empty hallway, my voice harsh with the raw truth of it. “If I show this to you, what if I lose you forever?”

My jaw tightens as I glance back at the poster, the faded image haunting me with painful uncertainty. If she sees this, she might leave to search for a past that might not even exist anymore. And if she leaves, I lose everything.

The paper feels heavy in my grasp, like it’s made of stone. Taking a shuddering breath, I fold it carefully and tuck it deep into my tunic. My chest aches because this feels wrong… cowardly even.

But another thought occurs to me: what if I show her this and I’m wrong?

Rapunzel trusts me.

How devastating would it be for her to dangle the hope of having found a link to her past, only to find out I’m mistaken, and the woman in the image isn’t really her at all?

My heart squeezes painfully as I make my way back up to our room, each step heavier than the last.

Gods, how do I tell her this without breaking her heart? And mine along with it?

Guilt claws at me, a bitter taste rising in my throat as I pause at the door, struggling to compose myself. I promised to protect her, not just from harm, but from pain. And now, if I make the wrong decision, I’m the one who could hurt her most deeply.

When I walk into the room, I discreetly tuck the poster into our satchel, and set the tray with our meals on the table. Rapunzel wraps her arms around me from behind, pressing her cheek against my back. “Thank you for getting our food. I’m starving.”

I turn in my arms to face her and she stretches up on her toes and presses a tender kiss to my lips. Tightening my arms around her, I pull her closer, every instinct deep within me demanding that I claim her right here and now.

She must taste the desperation in my kiss because when she pulls back, her small brow furrows. “Ren, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just a bit tired.” I regret the lie as soon as it leaves my mouth.

After our meal, Finik curls up in his blanket on the sofa by the fireplace, while we lie down in the bed. Rapunzel rests her head against my chest, her fingers drawing idle patterns across my chest.

“Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve been rather quiet since you came back upstairs.”

She knows me better than I realized. I should tell her what I found, but I’m afraid of what it might mean. I don’t want to lose her. So, instead of telling her the truth, I arch a teasing brow. “Are you saying I’m normally very loud?”

“Of course not.” She laughs. “But you do usually love to talk. And sometimes even sing.”

“Miss my singing, do you?” I grin. “Well, perhaps I’m thinking up a new version of my ballad about the charming and brave Fox Shifter.”

“Is that so?” A lovely smile curves her mouth. “Let’s hear it then.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I begin:

“Oh, a clever fox, dashing and sly,

Till one fair maiden caught his eye.

With hair like starlight, locked away,

In a tower tall, she’d sing all day.

He scaled the tower with dashing flair,

Got tangled—just briefly—in her hair.

She stole his heart; he stole a kiss,

His roguish charm she couldn’t resist!

Now he’s smitten, head over paws,

Breaking all his bachelor laws.

Amber eyes gleam with adoring pride,

His heart now hers, he cannot hide.

She thinks him brave, bold, and strong,

Though modesty has him sing this song:

“A hero handsome, yes that’s true,

But oh, sweet maiden, he’s yours through and through!”

Oh, clever fox, no longer free,

Captured willingly, as you can see.

For one fair maiden, brave and bright,

Has tamed this rogue—and set things right!”

Rapunzel’s laughter is golden and bright, melting my heart.

She grins. “I’ve captured and tamed a roguish fox, have I?”

I’m so afraid I’ll lose her. I force a smile to my face despite my despair. “You have, my amira.” I tuck a stray tendril of hair behind the delicate shell of her ear. I have never loved anyone as I have loved her. “I’m completely and utterly yours, and I have been from the very beginning.”

“And I’m yours as well,” she whispers.

Sadness claws at my chest, and I lower my gaze, afraid she’ll see the truth. That she’ll know I’m keeping something from her. I know I should tell her, but when I open my mouth, the words die in my throat.

I can’t risk hurting her with false hope. I’ll verify the poster first. Once I know for certain, then I’ll tell her everything.

“Ren.” She touches my face. “I feel like something’s wrong. Please, tell me. What is it?”

I close my eyes as guilt threatens to overwhelm me.

When I open them again, I lower my forehead to rest it against hers.

Drawing in a deep breath, I force the words past my lips.

“What if we found something about your past? What if we found evidence that you were betrothed to Prince Theron? What would you do?”

“I already told you,” she whispers. “It wouldn’t matter.”

I search her face, my throat tight. “You’re sure?”

She nods. “I do still want to go to Sylvalis and meet with the Stag prince. I may not be the woman he’s searching for, but perhaps he knows something about me… about my past.” She frowns. “There must be a reason why his face haunts my dreams.”

“What if when you see him, it triggers your memories? What if you remember that you love him?” I ask, unable to let this go. “What if—”

She presses a finger to my lips, silencing me. “I’ve made my decision.” She brushes her fingers over my jaw. “I love you, and I choose you, Ren.”

For one wild, selfish moment, the idea of marrying her—making certain she stays by my side forever—flashes through my mind. But as quickly as it appears, guilt and honor swiftly extinguish it. She deserves honesty, freedom, and a choice.

After dinner, she falls asleep in my arms. Although it’s been a long day, I stare up at the ceiling, my mind refusing to rest as I think of the secret I keep and the possibility of more mercenaries sent by the Witch to steal my beloved.

A few hours before dawn, I awaken her and Finik. I throw our satchel over my shoulder as she scoops a sleeping Finik from his bed. He yawns but dutifully climbs into her pocket and curls himself into a little ball of fluff before he nods off again.

The streets are quiet as we make our way through town. The temple is near the edge of the city. Once we make it there, it should be relatively easy to slip through the gates behind it and out into the countryside again.

It’s not far from the tavern and yet it feels like it takes forever to reach it. But perhaps it’s my shame that makes the trip seem so long.

When we reach the temple, the waning moonlight reflects off the marble stone and a statue of the goddess of family stares down at us with a serene expression.

My guilt grows heavier as she keeps her hand clasped in mine.

She gazes at me. Her lips curve up in a lovely smile, her eyes so full of trust it nearly breaks me.

Movement catches the corner of my eye and I turn to see a Wolf Shifter walking toward us.

Ice freezes my veins. It’s Sevryn—the Wolf that was sent by the Goblin witch.

Lightning fast, I pull Rapunzel behind me, baring my fangs in a feral snarl. “Get back or I’ll end you right here and now.”

“I’m not here to harm you.” He raises his hands in surrender. “My bargain with Drusilla was fulfilled when I fought you in the river and lost.” He narrows his eyes. “I nearly died going over those falls and you didn’t even bother to check if I lived.”

“In truth, I’d hoped you hadn’t survived,” I reply bluntly. “If you’re not here on behalf of the witch, then why are you following us?”

“Wolves and Foxes,” he mutters, his gaze darting briefly to Rapunzel.

“We are not all that different from each other. I understand what it is to want to protect your mate. So I came to warn you.” He glances over his shoulder to the forest beyond the city walls.

“If I could find you here, so could others. I’m not the only one Drusilla sent to hunt you. ”

A chill runs down my spine.

“Change cloaks with me,” he tells Rapunzel. “I will lead the others in the opposite direction of your travels.”

Despite his offer to help, I’m not sure I believe him. “Why should we trust you?”

“Because you don’t have a choice,” he says grimly. “I’m offering you a chance. But if you do not wish to take it, then there’s nothing more I can do for you.”

Before I can reply, Rapunzel steps out from behind me. “Here.” She offers him her cloak and he hands her his in return. “Thank you,” she murmurs. Her eyes cut to mine, in a look that I understand means I shouldn’t argue about this, before she looks at the Wolf again. “We appreciate your help.”

He dips his chin in a subtle bow. “Travel safely.” With that, he turns and runs toward the southern entrance of the town.

I look at Rapunzel. There is still so much I need to tell her—to confess. But right now, I need to get her to Cambryn as soon as possible. Until I do, she won’t be safe.

“Stand back,” I murmur as I step away from her. In a whirl of wind and dust, I shift into my fox form and then lower myself so she can climb onto my back. “If we leave now, we can make it to my family’s castle before midday.”

As soon as she’s settled between my shoulders, I slip quietly through the streets, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. It doesn’t take long to reach the northern gates of the city and out to the forest beyond.

Indecision weighs heavily upon me. I feel like a coward for not telling her what I’ve discovered. Every moment I delay, I risk losing her trust forever. But how can I bear it if telling her means losing her completely?

Clenching my jaw, I resolve to give her the truth when we reach my family’s castle. There will be time enough then to confess my sins. But for now, all that matters is getting my amira to Cambryn.

Sending a silent prayer to the gods, I pray this decision doesn’t end up costing me everything. But deep in my heart, I fear I might lose her after all.