Page 40

REN

M y mind is a storm of chaos as I exit the room. Each step that carries me away from Rapunzel is heavier than the last as I make my way through the castle to find my brother.

The weight of my secret is almost more than I can bear. I have to tell Rapunzel the truth, but I don’t know how. Worry twists my stomach. How can I explain that I’ve kept something so important from her instead of telling her right away?

I need to speak with my brother. Rowan and I have always been close, and I value his counsel. We are bound not only by blood and duty, but also by the quiet understanding that we can tell each other anything. No matter what.

When I reach his chambers, I push open the doors to Rowan is standing by the hearth with a goblet in his hand, watching the flames. His smile is immediate when he sees me, but it slips just as fast when he takes in my expression.

“Ren.” He sets down his drink. “What’s wrong?”

I rake a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. “I need your advice.”

Rowan frowns and gestures for me to sit, but I don’t. My muscles are tense and my stomach is twisted in a knot. “Is this about Rapunzel?”

I nod, staring down at my hands before I force myself to meet his gaze. “As we mentioned earlier, the Goblin witch stole her memories. But I think”—I swallow hard—“I believe I’ve figured out who she really is… the truth of her past.”

Rowan straightens. “Who?”

I brace myself. “She’s the lost betrothed of Prince Theron of Sylvalis.”

“The Stag Prince?” Rowan’s brows draw together in disbelief. “Are you certain?”

“I found this.” I hand him the faded poster with Rapunzel’s face and the promise of a reward from Prince Theron for her safe return.

“I discovered it in a tavern in Lumaria last evening. The lettering is faded”—I gesture to the writing on the bottom—“but it mentions a reward and a prince. And the image looks exactly like Rapunzel.”

“But she’s your fated one.”

“Yes.”

“Does she know?”

“I… haven’t told her yet.”

“What?” Rowan’s expression morphs into alarm. “Ren. Please, tell me you’re not serious.”

“I didn’t know how to tell her.” I shake my head.

“I mean… what if I’m wrong? What if it’s not her?

What if I tell her about this poster and then it turns out that it’s not even her?

” I swallow hard. “She’s happy. We’re happy,” I emphasize.

“She already agreed to become my mate a few days ago and I… I’m so afraid to lose her. ”

“So you just decided to lie to her instead?” His voice sharpens. “Ren—”

Before he can finish, bright laughter echoes down the hall. A moment later, Rielle walks into the room, her arm looped through Rapunzel’s, as my younger sister grins, tugging my amira along.

“There you are, Ren,” Rielle says. “You’re a terrible mate, keeping Rapunzel waiting while she’s starving,” she teases. “You’re supposed to be feeding her, not catching up with Rowan.”

Rapunzel laughs. “I’m not that hungry—” But then, as if to contradict her words, her stomach growls.

Rowan and I exchange a look, but I force a smile and step toward her. “Forgive me. My sister is right. I should take better care of you,” I murmur, my hands curling around her waist as I pull her to me. Guilt, sharp and unrelenting, coils in my gut.

My heart shatters as she smiles at me. She trusts me and I am so undeserving of her.

Dinner is loud and full of laughter. My family dotes on Rapunzel and my sister is already spoiling Finik. The squirrel already has his own bowl of food and water on the nearby ledge, just above the one for our cat—Sir Whiskers.

As conversation flows around the table, I catch a blur of white and brown out of the corner of my eye. Rielle gasps when she sees Sir Whiskers chasing Finik. “Sir Whiskers, no!” she cries out, leaping from her chair to intervene. “Leave him alone!”

Rapunzel rushes toward them as well, and Finik scrambles up her dress to her shoulder just as my sister grabs the cat.

“You cannot eat him,” Rielle lightly taps Whisker’s nose. “He’s family now.”

Finik chitters angrily while Sir Whiskers practically glares at him, his fluffy white tail swishing back and forth behind him in agitation.

“She’s right,” I add. “You must behave yourself. Where are your manners, Whiskers?”

His ears flatten and he narrows his eyes. I’m sure if I could converse with him, he’d have a few choice words about what a traitor I am for bringing said squirrel into the family.

By the time dessert comes out, my grandmother has told Rapunzel several rather embarrassing stories from when I was just a small kit, while my amira listens, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“We’re so glad to have you here, my dear,” my mother says to Rapunzel. “I’ve heard that humans do not have fated bonds, so how did you know that my son was the one for you?”

Rapunzel’s expression softens. “It was his kindness and his charm, and the way he makes me feel safe.” She looks down at our joined hands. “He’s proven himself to me over and over again.” Her eyes meet mine, full of affection. “It’s the reason I know I can trust him with my heart.”

Rapunzel squeezes my hand under the table, her smile radiant and open as she gazes at me.

And my heart breaks all over again.

After dinner, my mother pulls Rapunzel aside, already discussing dresses for an official bonding ceremony.

Shame fills me, and I glace at Rowan to find him staring at me in disapproval.

“Mother,” I interrupt. “Let’s talk about this later. Rapunzel just arrived. Let’s not overwhelm her with wedding plans just yet.”

“Nonsense.” My mother waves me off, laughing. “Every girl dreams of her ceremony. Don’t you, dear?”

Rowan grips my arm. “If you’ll excuse us a moment. I need to borrow my brother.”

Rapunzel nods, and he practically drags me out of the dining hall. He doesn’t stop until we step into a narrow side hallway.

Rowan turns to me. “Even if you aren’t sure it’s her on the poster. You have to tell her. The longer you keep this secret, the worse it will be in the end.”

I drag a hand roughly through my hair. “I know.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the illustrated poster with Rapunzel’s face. “That’s why I brought this. I just need to find the right time to… the right way to tell her.”

“Well, you need to do it soon.” Rowan crosses his arms. “You can’t keep lying to her, Ren. You need to tell Rapunzel the truth.”

“I will,” I hiss. “I just need to figure out how to—”

“What truth?” Rapunzel’s voice interrupts, and I freeze.

Rowan stiffens beside me, and we both turn to see her standing a few feet away, confusion etched in her features.

“Rapunzel.” I take a small step toward her. “Perhaps, we should talk in private.”

“No,” she says, voice soft but firm. “Tell me now.”

Worry tightens my throat, but I somehow manage to force the words out. “I… found something at the tavern, last night.”

“What is it?”

I hold the folded poster out to her. “I discovered this hanging behind the bar. It—” I swallow hard. “It looks like you. The lettering is faded, but I believe it may be a reward offered for your safe return to Prince Theron. It’s dated roughly three years ago.”

Silence hangs heavy in the air as she stares down at the parchment. When she finally lifts her gaze to mine, sadness is easily read in her expression. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I didn’t know how. I—” I step closer, desperate. “Deep down, it felt wrong, but I—”

“You knew how much it meant to me to remember. To know who I was. This could be the first real confirmation we’ve found… a link to my past.” Betrayal burns in her gaze. “And you kept it from me?”

“Rapunzel—”

Her eyes shine with tears as she takes a small step back. Off to the side, I notice my sister. From the look on her face, I assume Rielle must have heard everything. Or, at least, enough to know what I’ve done.

“You lied to me,” Rapunzel says, voice shaking. “Why, Ren? I don’t understand.”

“Because I was afraid I would lose you. If I was wrong, I could hurt you by giving you false hope. But if I was right, you might choose to leave me.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize how hollow they sound. I hate that I’ve caused her so much pain.

“I knew you were acting strange.” A tear slips down her cheek.

“Please.” I reach for her. “Let me explain.”

She flinches away. “Don’t touch me.” Her voice breaks. “I trusted you, and you lied to me.”

“Rapunzel, please. I—”

“Leave me alone!” she snaps and then turns on her heels, her skirts swirling around her as she rushes back down the hallway.

Everything inside me wants to go after her. To beg her to let me explain. But when I move to follow, Rowan puts a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. “Let her go.”

“But I—”

“Give her a moment to come to terms with what you’ve done.” Rielle gives me a pitying look. “Then, go to her and explain yourself. If she will let you.”

“And what if she doesn’t?”

My heart sinks when he doesn’t answer.

I never wanted to hurt her. I wanted to protect her. To love her. To keep her safe. And now… I fear I may have lost her forever.