“Every word is true. Grey, you’ve made me realize things about myself, about the way I want to lead my city. You’ve helped me see that tradition, what people expect of me, doesn’t have to be how the story ends. I have a hand in all this too. If I don’t like a scene, I can rewrite it.”

Jaya took a tentative step forward, testing to see if that was okay. He didn’t move back. Her hand shaking, Jaya reached up to caress his jaw, waiting for him to pull back, to push her hand away. But he didn’t. His eyes slipped shut.

“I love you,” she whispered simply. “I’m so sorry I lied. I’m so sorry I ever wanted to hurt you. And I’m sorry that I let my fear and my rigidity force me into decisions I never should’ve made. But you have to believe me when I say my heart is completely, unquestionably yours, Grey. It has been for a while.”

Grey’s eyes opened. He sucked in a breath, and when he spoke, his voice was a low tremble. “So the engagement is off?”

Jaya took a breath. “The engagement is off.”

“It might be too late,” Grey said, looking somewhere past her. He glanced down at her necklace. “Look at the rose.”

She did. The single ruby that remained hung precariously out of its socket, ready to fall at any moment.

“Once that one falls, it’s done. My life could be over. There might not be a chance for you and me, Jaya. It might be wisest for you to protect your heart from whatever’s about to happen.” He contemplated the sky, the soft pinks and golds of dawn reflected in his eyes.

“My heart is already broken when we’re not together,” Jaya said, fire in her voice. “Don’t you see that, Grey? I want to be with you. And you want to be with me. I sent my father a text. I was going to tell him about us today. This morning, in fact. I’m ready to take the next step with you, Grey. If you’ll have me still.”

Grey looked out over the frozen lake. “I—I can’t…”

“Grey.”

He turned back to her.

“Do you want me? As much as I want you? Still? After everything I’ve done?” Her lips were trembling so much, she was barely able to get the words out.

“Of course I do,” Grey said, his voice breaking as he took her face in his big hands, the pressure behind his words unstoppable, the intensity of his gaze turning her liquid. “You know I do. If this curse wasn’t— You’re the only one for me, Jaya. You’re the only one who sees me for who I am, and when I’m with you, I actually believe in happiness—”