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REN

R owan and I race down the hallway as I allow the bond to guide me, following the source of my distress. Fear prickles down my spine, when we reach the throne room.

Two guards stand rigidly at attention on either side of the doors. Their eyes glow an eerie purple, unblinking and empty as they stare straight ahead, statues frozen mid-watch.

Rowan glances at the throne room and I nod. He reaches for the door handle. As soon as his hand touches the smooth metal, one of the guards snaps his head toward my brother.

Lightning fast, the guard charges forward. His eyes swirl with a purple glow as he attacks with inhuman speed and strength, sending Rowan flying back. He slams into the opposite wall with a sickening thud while the guard returns to his post, with the same blank stare, as if nothing happened.

“Rowan!” I rush to him, dropping to my knees at his side.

He’s breathing, thank the gods, but he’s out cold. Gritting my teeth, I look back at the doorway, now glowing with pulsing with dark magic.

Something or someone has enchanted the door and the guards. Dread fills me. Deep down, I already know the truth. This is the work of Drusilla. It must be.

Reaching up, I close my hand over the charm around my neck—the green gemstone pendant that allows me to cross nearly any ward.

The magical barrier hums angrily, crackling purple energy flaring as I step closer.

“I don’t know what we’ll find inside,” I whisper to Finik, still perched on my shoulder. “You should wait out here.”

Instead of climbing down, he digs his tiny claws into my skin and looks at the door, his dark eyes narrowing.

“All right, then,” I mutter. Taking a deep breath, I step forward and push the doors open.

The gemstone pendant glows bright, and heat washes over me as I slip through the magic barrier.

As soon as we step into the doorway, the sharp scent of licorice fills my nostrils, and I grit my fangs.

I was right. The Goblin witch is here.

The veil of dark magic falls away, and anger blisters through me as I enter the room.

Rapunzel’s parents are bound tightly to their thrones, thick vines twisted around their arms and legs, leaves covering their mouths to silence them.

Tristan is tied to a pillar, furious eyes blazing as he struggles against the bindings.

My stomach drops like a stone when I see Rapunzel. Her wrists are bound behind her back, eyes wide with fear. Beside her, gripping her arm firmly, is Theron, his eyes glowing with an unnatural purple light.

He’s under the witch’s control.

“Ren,” Rapunzel breathes, desperation in her voice.

Fury roars through my veins. I’ll end the witch for daring to harm my mate.

“If you come any closer, Fox,” Drusilla says with a mocking smile, “I will paint the floor with her blood.”

Without hesitation, Theron draws a blade and presses it against Rapunzel’s slender throat.

Panic tightens my chest as I stand helplessly before my mate. “If you kill her, Drusilla, you will risk losing any chance of regaining your lost powers.”

“Perhaps it’s a chance I should take,” she says darkly.

Baring my fangs, I glare at Drusilla. I curl my hands into fists, my claws lengthening when suddenly, I realize that I’m free. She hasn’t bound me as she has the others.

My gaze sweeps over Rapunzel and her family before settling on Theron. The Goblin must be weak. Using so much magic must be draining her powers.

“Let them go,” I snarl. “This ends now.”

Drusilla laughs, eyes glittering with disdain. “Or what, Fox prince? You’ll charm me to death?”

My mind races, struggling to formulate a plan. I cannot allow her to take Rapunzel. Not again.

Sudden movement catches my eye. Behind the throne, I see Finik. I hadn’t even realized he’d climbed down from my shoulder.

The brave little squirrel is carefully creeping toward Tristan. Quietly, he scurries up the column and begins gnawing at the vines around his wrists, unnoticed by the Goblin.

Hope flares in my chest. Tristan’s gaze meets mine, and I flick my eyes toward Theron and Rapunzel.

Once Tristan is free, he can tackle the Stag Prince away from his sister while I handle the witch.

Understanding immediately, Tristan gives me the barest nod.

Now, I just need to distract Drusilla long enough for Finik to finish chewing through the vines.

“I hate to ruin your dramatic moment.” Sarcasm laces my tone.

“Evil witch, dark plans… standard villain stuff. But honestly, have you ever considered that maybe you're going about this the wrong way? Have you ever thought to yourself that maybe there’s something else you could try to regain your powers?”

Drusilla narrows her eyes, suspicion flaring in their dark depths. “Like what, exactly?”

“Rapunzel and I found someone who could remove your magic from her and transfer it back to you.”

“And just why would you do such a thing?” she asks, unconvinced.

“Because we knew you'd never leave us alone until you got your powers back. We didn’t want to live the rest of our lives constantly having to look over our shoulders for you.”

She eyes me skeptically. “And how exactly would you restore my magic to me?”

“It’s an ancient spell. Which is probably why you’ve never heard of it,” I add. “But it must be performed by a very skilled witch. We were going to leave tomorrow to travel to—”

“You expect me to believe this?” She scoffs. “Lies won't save your beloved princess.”

“I’m not lying.” I meet her gaze evenly. “Let me prove it to you, and we can both have what we want. You can reclaim your powers, and I can have my mate.”

Behind her, Finik works furiously, the vines beginning to loosen around Tristan as the squirrel gnaws at them with his tiny teeth.

The Goblin sneers, purple eyes flashing dangerously. “If you are lying, I will kill you.”

“Promises, promises,” I reply, keeping my voice steady even as my pulse pounds in my ears. “I’m a Fox, not an Ogre, Drusilla. I’m smart enough to know better than to cross a witch.”

The vines around Tristan sag, and he gives a fierce nod, signaling that he’s ready.

Rage blisters through me. The witch doesn’t realize it yet, but she is already dead. I will end her today. This is the last time that she will ever threaten my mate.