The fur that covers Beast’s body slowly dissolves into human flesh, his overgrown talons and yellow fangs shrink into fingers and all-white teeth.

A golden crown descends from the skies, stopping above Gabriel before pressing itself atop Gabriel’s head.

They’re lowered to the ground together, and I stare ahead at them both in utter disbelief.

Are they alive?

Below, in the castle, I can hear shouting and loud music, and Sola suddenly grabs my hand from behind.

“I think it’s broken,” she says. “I think it’s over…”

“For everyone?” I ask, still not seeing signs of life in Gabriel. “Or just the others? Who wins?”

She doesn’t answer me. She walks over to Gabriel and presses her hand against his head.

His eyes immediately flutter open, and he smiles at her.

“You know,” he says, “I think I can finally forgive you for letting that stranger into the castle.”

“In that case, I won’t forgive you for being such a pig back then.”

“He was influenced by me, but I don’t forgive him either…” Beast says from behind, standing up. He reaches for Sola and pulls her into a long embrace.

Blinking, Gabriel stares at me for several moments before moving toward me.

“Belle…” He pulls me into his arms. “I meant what I said about loving you.”

“So, it’s broken now? How? Is she just…letting you both live?”

“I made an arrangement with her,” he says softly. “She didn’t accept it, so I’m guessing she had a change of heart…”

“What type of arrangement?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not important. I need to be honest with you about something.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m not sure you’ll be okay with the terms that come with a life in this kingdom with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’d like to marry you,” he says. “But that means you’ll have to serve as my temporary princess, and ultimately my queen.”

I still.

“Just say yes, Belle,” he says. “For once, don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”

I hesitate a few moments. “Yes.”

He presses a kiss on my forehead and grabs my hands before standing to his feet.

Beast, admiring his human hands against the stone, is staring at the celebrations below.

Gabriel clasps my hand and leads me over to him, waiting for him to look at us.

“Just because the spell is broken doesn’t mean we have to speak,” Beast says. “I’m still mad at you about—”

“I’m sorry.” Gabriel interrupts him. “I should’ve stopped your parties long ago, and I could’ve prevented you from being so cruel to strangers.”

“No, you couldn’t have. I was the worst one between us, after all.” Beast smiles and gives him a side hug. “I see you have our father’s crown now, though…”

“And I intend to keep it.”

“Of course, you do.”

“You can keep your previous title as a prince,” Gabriel says to him. “But the king’s crown, the throne, and the site of the Eighth Kingdom will become part of the Ninth as it used to be. And it will all belong to me.”