Marcus Stone wanted to marry the princess who ruled Star Land's brightest court, and he had never once passed through her gates. He stood at the top of his stone keep, high on the cliffs, and watched the court's lights burn far across the dark valley. He knew every crack in these battered walls. He knew nothing about that shining palace. No invitation had ever come for a warrior who lived alone above the rocks. His wolf cub pressed against his leg. The little animal's silver coat caught the last light. Marcus scratched its ears and spoke his problem out loud. "They won't let a man like me near her," he said. "No name. No title. Just walls and a sword." The cub whined and trotted to the stairs. It stopped, looked back, and barked. Marcus followed it down through the cold tower. The cub led him to the courtyard gate and pawed at the wood. Outside, in the moonlight, sat a fox. Its coat glowed a soft orange. Faint marks of light traced its side, shaped like small hearts. The fox watched Marcus with steady eyes. It did not run. Marcus had heard travelers speak of such a creature. They said it could sense true love, and that it walked freely into the celestial court. The palace guards let it pass. They believed it chose only worthy hearts. He crouched slowly. "You know the way inside," he said. "Don't you." The fox rose and stepped toward the valley path. Then it stopped and waited, exactly as the cub had done. Marcus understood. The fox was offering to guide him. But he saw the trap in it too. The fox tested hearts. If he followed it and his love proved false, it would leave him stranded far from home, outside gates that would still refuse him. He could stay safe in the keep and want the princess forever. Or he could trust an animal to weigh his heart and carry the result. Marcus went back inside. He pulled his cloak from its hook and buckled his sword. He filled a pouch with dried meat and knelt before the cub. "Guard the keep," he said. "I'll come back with news." The cub licked his hand and did not follow. Marcus walked out to the fox. "Take me to her court," he said. The fox turned and moved down the path. Marcus followed. They walked all night, down the cliffs and across the valley floor. Near dawn the palace rose before him, white walls under a sky full of stars. Two guards stood at the outer gate. The fox stepped into the light. The guards saw it and lowered their spears at once. One waved Marcus through. "The fox vouches for you," the guard said. "Enter." Marcus passed under the gate he had watched his whole life. He was inside the celestial court. Somewhere within these walls waited the princess, and now the fox knew his heart was on trial.