"Jay?" Nya asked after their meal was cleared. "Are you ready to dance?"

Her heart was pounding, despite the fact she knew he had promised her. She had no idea why she was so nervous, or rather, so flustered when it came to asking.

Jay's mouth was agape, his yellow eyes wide. "I..."

Nya smiled to herself, standing up from her seat. Perhaps I need to lead. She crossed over to his side of the table and took his claws in her hands, tugging. "Come on, dance with me!" She giggled, trying not to let her pounding heart break up her speech.

Jay's mouth shut, his lips curling into a smile. He sat up and took her arm, guiding her to the ballroom. A mass amount of lit candles gave the room a warm, golden glow, apart from the golden accents on the walls.

Nya almost cried at the gorgeous sight. Never in her life had she seen anything so beautiful, so warm and inviting. She left Jay's hold for a moment to twirl around the giant, open space, giggling like a little girl as the skirts on her dress picked up with each spin.

Jay moved towards her, reaching out to take her hand, only to reach for her waist by mistake. He gasped and shrank back in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I meant to-"

Nya smiled and shook her head. "It's okay. Your hand is supposed to go there, anyway." She took his claws and guided each one to the proper spot. "You're a bit tall, but I'm sure I can reach your shoulder."

Her small hand upon his shoulder sent a chill through Jay's spine. He pulled her in a little closer to ease the awkwardness between them, letting his arms relax. "If I keep stepping on your toes, you can always put your shoes on mine." He joked.

Nya laughed out loud, moving her head down and close to his chest. He was so warm and smelled so... wonderful. She moved in a little closer, the ever-present heat on her cheeks and nose glowing redder by the second.

Jay chuckled nervously, swishing his tail. "So, uh, I think we step in a box formation."

Nya shook her head, snapping out of her trance. "Right."

In the background, Zane and Wu had started some music. Pixal was humming a lovely little tune, and Zane soon joined in with her. Nya smiled at the sweet sound, swaying side to side with Jay as he led her in the steps.

"So, you used to dance with your father?" Jay asked softly, avoiding stepping on her toes to the best of his ability.

Nya smiled at the memory. "Yeah. He and my mother were always working, but they always found the time to have fun with us. Sometimes dancing was the only form of entertainment we could all take part in." She lowered her eyes. "Even before poverty hit us, we were always poor."

"I'm sorry." Jay mumbled softly. He had moved his head closer to her neck to listen to her better. "I wish I could tell you how much I understand."

"That's right." Something clicked in Nya's brain, a feeling she couldn't explain. "You were raised as a peasant. Did your father ever dance with you?"

"No." Jay smiled, then laughed. "Oh god. He tried to sing, though. Emphasis on tried."

He twirled her, lifting her into the air for a brief moment. Nya gasped at the movement, holding onto his arms. "Wow, and I thought you weren't that strong." She giggled, now holding onto both of his shoulders. "You could barely lift that box in the workshop."

"That isn't nice!" Jay pouted before cracking a smile. "Actually, yeah. But that box really was heavy!"

Nya laughed and moved in to hug him, letting him spin her around once again. Both had forgotten all propriety, and were now spinning around and laughing like children. The mother members of the castle looked down at them with warm smiles, knowing their freedom was coming sooner than ever.

Once the candles began to quiet to an orange dim, Jay slowed down the dance, holding Nya close. He was surprised to find she had moved into him, resting her head upon his chest and taking in his warm embrace. A sort of glowing feeling filled his stomach and tickled him all around, granting him more hope than ever before.

Was the curse finally breaking? Only one thing could confirm that...

"Hey." Jay whispered in her ear. "Let's go to the balcony."

Outside, the winter chill wasn't too powerful, and it was almost as if their happiness and hope kept them warm.

Jay led Nya to a small bench, sitting down with her and taking her hands into his, careful not to close his claws too tightly. "Nya?"

"Yes?" She was smiling, her dark eyes sparkling, reflecting the twinkling stars.

Jay swallowed, moving closer to her. "Are you... happy here?"

Nya nodded. "Oh, yes. Everyone is so kind. Zane, Pixal, Misako, Wu-"

"With me?" Jay asked, a little too quickly. He bit his tongue in regret.

Nya's eyes softened as she moved in closer to him, stroking the scales on his hands with her thumbs. "Yes."

Even though Jay knew she still had to say the words, the three letter word would have been enough to break the curse alone. Yes. Yes, yes, yes! Her response ran through his head like a sweet song, and he was nearly numb all over from the feeling of hope filling his heart.

Something wasn't right, though. She was staring off into the distance, trying to look past the gates.

"Nya? Are you alright?"

Nya shook her head, smiling faintly. "It's nothing. I was just... thinking about Kai." She looked into Jay's eyes before glancing away. "I miss him so much. I... wish I could see him again."

Jay pondered for a moment before taking her by the arm. "There is something I've never showed you." He led her to his chambers, patting her on the hand. "It's an enchanted object from the one who cursed me, but it is safe to use. It's been my window to the outside world for all of these years."

Nya waited in anticipation the whole way until Jay led her to a small table. On it was a floating orange rose, concealed within a glass case and covered in sparkled dust of the same hue. Nya's eyes widened. "Is this the... the..." She reached out to touch the glass, only for Jay to quickly place his hand on hers and lower it.

"Careful- I..." He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I don't want anything to happen to it." He reached for a small silver mirror on the table, the intricate design on the backing adjourned with sapphires. "Here. You may see whatever you'd like."

Nya glanced up at him as he placed the mirror in her hands, letting her hold it up. "I... I'd like to see my brother, Kai... please?"

A swirl of orange dust, and the mirror cast an image of figures moving in the snow.

"Kai? What's he doing outside?" Nya paced around as she peered into the mirror, trying to make out who he was with, and what on earth he was doing in a blizzard.

"Ronin? Lord Cole? Why is he with...?" Nya clutched the mirror to her chest, glancing up at Jay. "Jay, I think they're looking for me, but they're caught in a blizzard!"

Jay bit his lip. "They probably think I still have you trapped in the... oh god." He covered his face, wanting to murder himself.

"They're going to die out there! I need to-" Nya moved to leave, only to sink back. "I... I forgot I-"

"No. Go to them."

"What?" Nya shook her head. "Jay, my promise!"

Jay shook his head, taking her hands. "You are no longer my prisoner, Nya. You haven't been for a long time. I'm sorry, I should have let you go sooner."

"Jay..." Nya's voice was breaking, and Jay knew it was tearing her apart just as much as it was hurting him.

"Go." He whispered, forcing a smile for her. "They need you."

"Jay, I..." She opened her mouth to say something else before shutting it, tears brimming her eyes. "I'm sorry. I... I'll come back for you."

Jay released her, turning away and hiding his tears. "Go. Hurry!"

After a brief moment of hesitation, his beauty spun on her heels and ran away, leaving him alone in the dark.

"My Prince." Zane's voice filled Jay's ears. "You let her go."

"Because I love her." Jay choked on a sob, leaning over the table and covering his face. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

To his shock, Zane cackled at this. "You pitiful child. I've won."

No. Jay glanced behind him, gasping in horror as the candelabra changed its form into... into...

"Nadakhan." Jay whispered, backing into the table and nearly toppling the rose over. "N-No, please!"

"It is too late, my prince." Nadakhan growled, moving towards him slowly and raising a finger. "Your true love has run off, and now you will remain a hideous serpent for all of eternity!"