Page 51

REN

I t is nearly dawn and although I know we should return to the castle, I cannot make myself move just yet. Rapunzel is sprawled across my chest, her silver hair like a river of moonlight, her bare skin glowing faintly under the dawning sun that filters through the willow’s sweeping branches.

My heart clenches. She’s breathtaking, perfect, and all mine. Just as I am hers.

Fierce possessiveness fills me as I gaze at the claiming mark on her neck. Even though I know Prince Theron has relinquished any claim to her, I love that she carries my mark and my scent. Every male will know she is my mate.

She shivers and when I pull her closer, I love how she nestles into my chest. Trailing my hand down her delicate form, a low rumble of contentment vibrates in my chest as I press a tender kiss to her temple.

“You are my heart,” I murmur into her hair. “My beautiful amira.”

“I’m yours, and you are mine.” She gives me a lovely smile. “My handsome and charming fox prince.”

Although we made love most of the night, I already want her again, but it will have to wait. Far in the distance, beyond the trees, the stone towers of the castle rise like sentinels against the morning sky.

“We should return to the castle before anyone realizes you’re missing. And before Finik eats your family out of house and home,” I tease.

She laughs, and my heart fills with warmth. As I gaze at my mate, I send a silent prayer of thanks to the gods for placing her in my path. She is everything to me and I never want to be without her.

Rapunzel rides on my back in my fox form, her hands curled into the thick ruff of fur along my neck as I pad silently through the misty castle gardens. When we reach her balcony, I shift back into my two-legged form and lift her into my arms.

“Hold onto me,” I whisper.

Clutching my shoulders tightly, she releases a startled squeak as I leap up onto her balcony.

As soon as we land, I set her on her feet. She turns to me with wide eyes. “I didn’t know you could jump that far.”

I smile. “It’s one of the many perks of being mated to a Fox shifter.”

Rapunzel laughs. “You’re impossible.”

I give her a sly grin. “And all yours.”

She stretches up onto her toes and brushes her mouth to my own. “All mine,” she whispers against my lips. “Forever.”

My heart is full as I pull her against me, curling my tongue around hers and deepening our kiss.

When we finally pull back, she looks up at me. “We should go speak with my family.”

“Yes. We will let them know we’re now mated.”

“Maybe leave that detail out,” she says, her cheeks turning red. “And instead tell them we’re betrothed.”

I open my mouth to ask why, but she continues. “My parents expect us to wait until after our wedding to consummate our marriage.”

I nod. “And I need to find my brother.” I think of Rowan and how he tried to stop me from kidnapping her yesterday when I was convinced she’d been bewitched. He’s probably been worried all night. “I’ll fetch Rowan.”

“And I’ll get my family,” she says. “We’ll meet in the study, where we can tell everyone at once.”

“I see you there shortly,” I vow.

Unable to help myself, I pull her into my arms for another kiss. I’m so happy; I can hardly believe she is mine. When we finally pull away, I leap over the balcony railing and cut across the gardens to the guest quarters to find my brother.

When I reach our chambers, I find Rowan sprawled haphazardly across his bed, hair tousled, a sheet tangled around his waist. He is normally a very sound sleeper, but it looks as though he tossed and turned all night.

Finik is perched comfortably on the pillow beside him, nibbling with great concentration on a massive spread of cheese and crackers. Crumbs are everywhere on the pillow, the sheets, and even a few in Rowan’s hair.

I smother a laugh. “You two have become fast friends it seems.”

Rowan groggily blinks at me, rubbing his face as he sits up in bed. “It’s about time you showed back up,” he chastises. “Where have you been? I was worried all—” He stops abruptly, nostrils flaring, his eyes widening. “You mated her?” he blurts out.

I tip up my chin. “She chose me.”

“Yes, but what about Prince Theron?” he asks, alarmed. “Gods above, Ren. They’re officially betrothed. He searched for her for three years. He’s going to murder you.”

“He already knows.”

“That you claimed her?” his voice rises in pitch.

“Not exactly,” I admit. “But he knows she loves me, and he accepted it.”

His brows shoot up to his forehead. “He did?”

“Yes. We’re going to tell her parents today, and then we’ll have the official wedding ceremony either here or in Cambryn.”

“And you’re certain Prince Theron will not be upset?” he asks a bit hesitantly. “That he won’t challenge you to a duel or start some sort of blood feud because you stole his intended?”

“It’s going to be fine, Rowan. I promise.”

He stares at me like he can’t decide whether to congratulate me or not. “I certainly hope you’re right,” he grumbles. “I’d rather not have to go to war with the Stag Shifter kingdom because you stole the crown prince’s betrothed.”

“You worry too much, Brother.” I chuckle. “No one is going to war with anyone.”

His lips tilt up in a smile. “Then I’m happy for you, Ren. Truly.”

“Thank you.” I embrace him warmly. “Now, what do you say we go speak with her family to give them the good news?”

He nods.

I glance at Finik, rolling blissfully in the cracker crumbs on the pillow. I laugh as he sits up and looks at me, nose twitching with his little cheeks puffed out, stuffed full of food.

“Well.” I chuckle. “It looks like somebody already had a feast this morning.”

“I’ll say,” Rowan says in mock irritation. “He woke me up at the crack of dawn, demanding breakfast.”

“Well, you’d best get used to it, Brother,” I grin as Finik climbs onto my shoulder. “He’ll be coming home with us too.”

Rowan purses his lips, but it’s easy to see the fondness in his eyes as he looks at the squirrel.

“Wonderful,” he drawls sarcastically. “Because we definitely need another demanding animal companion.” He shakes his head.

“Between Finik and Sir Whiskers, I'll never have a decent night’s sleep again.”

I chuckle, about to toss back another teasing remark when a sudden wave of dread crashes into me. The smile slips from my face as sharp-edge fear rips through me.

“Ren, what is it?” Rowan’s playful expression shifts instantly into alarm. “Are you all right?”

Panic spikes through me when I realize it isn’t mine.

“It's Rapunzel. She’s in trouble.”

Without waiting for another word, I bolt from the room. Finik clings to my shoulder, and Rowan follows closely behind me as I race down the hall, desperate to reach my mate.