Borden knocks Victor off Maria. The two roll around on the floor biting and scratching each other. Borden grips the back of Victor’s neck tossing him into a building.
Victor quickly jumps back onto his feet, but Emilia rushes over to him. She wraps her arms around Victor hugging him tightly.
“Victor, I am so sorry for turning you into a beast.” Emilia says. Though Victor tries to get away, he doesn’t use all of his strength. Maybe he wants Emilia to hug him.
Emilia goes on, “I know you’re under a lot of pressure with the role of the crown prince and future king. I know everyone loved your brother, and it seems your father loved your brother more than he could ever love you.”
“You may even believe that no one will ever love you as you are, and that you don’t have any value. You do. You are helpful and a good teacher. You taught me how to sword fight; I didn’t even ask.” She holds him tightly not letting go regardless of how much he tries to pull away.
“You played with me in the forest. You spared me twice. It’s because of you I was able to find a way to break the curse. You’re the first person who treated me kindly.” Emilia attempts to console Victor, but he finally yanks his neck out of her tight hug. Immediately, he turns to Maria.
Borden stands in the way blocking Victor’s path to Maria. Emilia takes Victor’s face into her hands refocusing his attention on her.
“I think that it’s good for men to have feelings other than anger and being content.” Emilia continues, “I think all men cry, your father included. Men do have feelings. Men do make mistakes, and it’s okay. Men can show happiness and other emotions.”
Emilia shakes as she speaks: “There is more to a man than just leading, protecting others, and making money. I don’t know what being a man is, but I think that you get to define what it means to you.”
Emilia remembers Teddy telling her that it loves her because she’s imaginative: “I like you because you’re one of the softer men I’ve met. Even when you’re upset, you rarely yell at me. You’re stern, but you don’t yell. You give clear instructions as a good teacher.”
She goes on making her voice stronger: “You make me comfortable even though I’m weird. When we spoke about adventures you encouraged me. You are amazing the way you are.”
Tears spurt from Victor’s eyes. He drops down to cover his head with his paws, but Emilia hugs him tightly again. She feels his body shaking, so she strokes his back.
Green light and dust lifts from Victor’s feet extending to the top of his head covering his pointy ears. As the light and dust glows, Emilia feels the fur slowly change to skin and the prince’s shoulders growing.
Victor grows taller, but the changes slow until they stop. The light and dust dissipates as the crying prince is revealed. Emilia tightens her hug as Victor buries his head in her shoulder hugging her back. His tears soak her cloak.
Maria drops down to her knees then wraps her arms around Borden, and he rubs his cheek on hers.
“I’m sorry for not showing up that night. I’m sorry for being a coward, for not trusting you to take care of me.” Maria whispers. “You’re kind, strong, loving, comforting, and encouraging. Please come back. Come back to me.”
Blue dust swarms around Borden, but Maria refuses to let go. Tears fall from her eyes.
“I love you. I don’t want to live without you,” Maria whispers.
Slowly the light softens. Arms the color of purple charcoal wrap around Maria, and a man who looks as though he can lift a house holds on tight to her. Borden kisses Maria’s cheek until she moves her lips to his.
Other beasts rush over to other humans pawing for attention. A few people squeal and gasp at recognition. With hugs, many of the beasts return to human form; the ones who become human give the names of the beasts who have yet to turn. But only a few more beasts turn human.
“What about the others?” Victor asks.
“Everyone is consumed by something different. Not all can be helped with a hug,” Borden points out as he holds Maria close to him.