“She tried to warn you.”
“Yes.”
“You were cursed here.”
“Below the eastern tower. But this is where they captured me.”
Elara nodded.
He looked at her.
“Why bring me back?”
“Because I’m tired of this place belonging to your worst memory.”
Alaric stared.
She continued.
“I love you.”
He stopped breathing.
Elara’s own heart hammered.
She smiled nervously.
“There. I said it.”
Alaric did not move.
“That response could improve.”
He crossed the distance.
Stopped.
Still careful after everything.
“Elara.”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
“Not the curse?”
“Especially not the curse.”
His eyes filled.
She touched his chest.
“And I want to marry you.”
Alaric closed his eyes.
When they opened again, they were brighter.
“Elara.”
“What?”
“The curse.”
She frowned.
“What about it?”
His body began glowing.
Faintly.
Gold beneath dark fur.
She stepped back.
“No.”
Alaric looked down.
The glow spread.
“Elara?”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“Neither did I.”
Wind rose.
Not storm wind.
Warm.
Light wrapped around his enormous body.
Bones shifted.
Horns shortened.
Fur receded.
Elara stared.
“No.”
Alaric fell to one knee.
His body contracted.
Ten feet became six and a half.
Claws became hands.
The monstrous face softened into that of a man in his early forties rather than the twenty-year-old Prince he had been when cursed.
Dark hair.
Strong jaw.
Amber-brown eyes.
Scars remained.
So did the broad shoulders.
He looked human.
Entirely.
Alaric stared at his hands.
Elara stared at him.
He looked up.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Elara frowned.
“I don’t like it.”
His mouth opened.
“What?”
“You’re too small.”
Alaric burst out laughing.
Elara covered her mouth.
Then laughed too.
He stood.
Nearly stumbled because his balance had changed.
Elara caught him.
“You’re terrible at being human.”
“I’m out of practice.”
She touched his face.
Smooth skin.
No fur.
She looked strangely sad.
Alaric noticed.
“What?”
“I loved your face.”
He smiled.
“This one?”
“No.”
The smile faded.
“The other.”
Alaric stared.
Elara continued.
“I’m glad you are free if this is what you wanted.”
She touched his cheek.
“But I need you to understand something.”
“What?”
“I never needed you to become handsome.”
He laughed softly.
“That is fortunate.”