The Fox Beneath Her Ink

Court talisman witch Akiko summons Ren to investigate a missing prince, then tears up the clause that would own the fox demon for a century. Their consent-bound paper doubles preserve only chosen sensations, yet every burned copy leaves a poem both already know is true. When the ash names Akiko as the architect of the false prince, she and Ren must destroy their paper names, expose the palace, and build a life no contract can possess.

A court witch frees the fox demon she summoned, then their burning paper doubles compose proof that she helped replace a murdered prince.