Page 59

RAPUNZEL

Warm sunlight spreads across the gardens of Cambryn castle as the early morning sun begins its slow ascent into the sky.

As I lean against the balcony railing of our bedroom, I rest my hand lovingly over my rounded belly. My heart is full as I feel a tiny flutter within. I couldn’t sleep, so I went to the Healer before dawn, and she gave me some rather surprising news.

Instead of having just one child, we’re having two. A smile crests my lips. I wonder what Ren will think of this.

Footsteps approach, familiar and comforting, and Ren’s strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back against him. He brushes a lock of my newly shortened hair behind my ear. “I must say, I quite like this length on you.”

Now that Glinda’s hold upon me is gone, I’ve been able to cut my hair. It falls just past my shoulders, and I love how light I feel without all that extra length. “It feels strange, but also… liberating.”

He his gaze shifts back to the garden and he huffs out a laugh. “Just look at them.” He points at Rowan and Finik walking along one of the paths.

Rowan stops and plucks a few berries from one of the bushes and hands them to the squirrel, stroking his fur fondly as he stuffs them into his tiny cheeks.

“Finik has captured everyone’s heart,” Ren adds. “And I believe Sir Whiskers is getting rather jealous.”

As if our very thoughts have summoned him, Whiskers saunters out from behind a tree and walks over to Rowan, rubbing against his legs to get his attention.

Rowan leans down and picks up the furry puff ball, holding him in one arm while Finik perches on the opposite shoulder.

Ever since Rielle left for Lumaria last week, they’ve both been extra clingy toward Ren’s brother, fighting for position on his lap and on the pillow above his head when he’s asleep.

I turn in his embrace to face him. His amber eyes are full of warmth and affection as he drops his forehead to mine and gives me a tender kiss.

When he pulls back, he gives me a mischievous smile. “How soon do you think we should expect a raven with news of Tristan and Rielle’s engagement?”

Rielle is supposedly in Lumaria on official business for Cambryn, but everyone knows it was Ren’s grandmother and my own mother playing matchmaker.

Not that they need to try too hard, for I’m certain my brother is just as smitten with Rielle as she is with him.

I’m so happy for them. “Within a few days, I’d wager. ”

Softly, I bite my lower lip, wondering how best to break the news of our unexpected blessings.

“You’re up rather early, my beautiful mate,” he murmurs. “Did you have trouble sleeping?”

I take his hand and place his palm over my lower abdomen as the fluttering begins again. “I was woken up by this.”

“And just how are my two favorite people in the world today?” he asks, eyes sparkling as our fingers interlace over my stomach.

I gaze up at him, unsure how to begin. “Ren, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I went to the healer.”

The smile falls from his face, replaced by concern. “What did she say?” He places his other palm protectively over my belly. “Is everything all right with our kit?”

I rest my hand over his. “That’s the thing… we’re actually having two.”

“Two?” he frowns. “What do you—”

“Twins.”

A beaming smile lights his face. “Truly?”

I nod.

“This is amazing!” He gathers me in his arms, kissing me fiercely as he spins me around before setting my feet back on the ground. “I cannot wait to tell my family. They’re going to be so excited.”

Before I can stop him, he leans over the railing. “Rowan! Come over here! We have something important we need to tell you.”

Rowan rushes toward us, standing almost directly below the balcony, in the garden. “What is it?”

Indecision grips me. “Oh, Ren, Rielle will be upset if we tell everyone before she returns.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” Ren frowns. “She should be home in a few days.” He looks down at Rowan. “Never mind. We’ll tell you later.”

“Are you serious?” Rowan scoffs. “You cannot say you have something important to tell me and then suddenly decide to withhold it just because Rielle is not here.” He places his hands on his hips.

“What’s going on?” His gaze drops to my abdomen and his eyes widen.

“Is the kit all right? Did the healer find something wrong with—”

“No,” I reassure him. “Everything is fine.”

“Doubly so,” Ren adds with a sly grin, and I laugh at his teasing.

“What’s so funny?” Rowan asks. “I demand that you both tell me right now. You cannot leave me in this suspense.”

“You’re going to be an uncle,” I tell him. “To twins.”

Shock flickers across his expression before his mouth curves up in a smile. “This is wonderful news. We must tell everyone else at once.”

“We should wait for Rielle,” I insist. “You know how she is. She’ll feel left out.”

Rowan dips his chin in a subtle nod. “Don’t worry. I can keep a secret.” Smiling, he picks Whiskers and Finik back up and heads toward the doors, calling over his shoulder. “I’ll see you both at breakfast.”

When he leaves, Ren cups my face with both hands, his amber eyes searching mine. “Two kits.” He smiles. “I can hardly believe it.”

Stretching up on my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck and brush my lips to his. “I’m glad you’re excited. I wasn’t sure what you would think.”

“Of course, I’m excited,” he says. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well,”—I shrug—“I’ve heard some men get a bit worried at the idea of having more than one at the same time.”

He hugs me tightly to him. “In truth, I would be happy with even more.”

“You would?”

“Yes.” He smiles. “I love you, my amira. And the idea of having kits that are half you and half me… I cannot be any happier than I am right now.”

“I feel the same.”

He lifts me into his arms and starts for the bed. “What are you doing?”

“Breakfast can wait,” he murmurs, brushing his lips to mine. “I need you.”

A soft knock at the door stops him in his tracks. Still holding me in his arms, he turns toward it and calls out. “Who is it?”

“It’s your grandmother,” she says through the door. “Rowan just told us the news.”

The door opens and Ren’s entire family, except for Rielle, is waiting in the hallway, with Rowan standing in front of them.

Ren purses his lips. “You were supposed to keep it a secret.”

“I know.” Rowan grins sheepishly. “But it just sort of slipped out.”

I laugh. “Is that so?”

Rowan nods and Ren’s family walks into the room, gathering around us in excitement, offering their congratulations.

Ren sets me on my feet, but he keeps his arm looped possessively around my waist, tugging me close to his side as everyone takes turns embracing us warmly.

Once, I dreamed of freedom beyond a tower’s stone walls—of a name, a past, a place where I truly belonged. I never imagined that dream would lead me here—to love, to family, to the life I never dared hope for.

I still haven’t fully regained all my memories. Some remain lost. But I’ve found something even more powerful: the truth of who I am, not in what I once was, but in who I chose to become.

As his family chatters happily around us, Ren places his palm over the slight swell of my abdomen and nuzzles my temple. “You are my heart, Rapunzel.”

A smile crests my lips even as tears sting my eyes. “And you are mine, Ren.”

In this perfect moment, with my charming Fox Prince at my side, I know I am finally home.