I panted, eyes closed as I attempted to regain some of my strength. Every year it was the same…and yet for once I found this one a little easier. Never before had I been out of my room when this had happened and I have to say I was happy that I wasn't.

My eyes opened slowly as I gave Belle a gentle smile the woman unable to hide her stunned face. "Evening," my voice had changed as well, all of the roughness gone and replaced with silky smoothness. Slowly I sat up, pulling Belle towards me as I glanced towards her dress and then up at her face. "You will have ruined your dress lying on the floor," I cooed, reaching and hand up to touch her face. My stomach churned as I felt my skin brush against hers, no longer a layer of fur obscuring it.

"I…what happened," she breathed as she looked along my body before her eyes rested on the rose shaped scar on my neck. I pulled in a shaky breath and gave a nervous smile.

"Every year, at midnight on this night, I return to what I was before given this curse. As if to remind me of what I have given up…I…I'm sorry I never told you," I remarked, moving my hand from her face to her neck and her exposed shoulder. My fingers ran along the scared tissue, tracing the shape of the claw marks I had made as a beast before turning back to her, those beautiful blue eyes still filled with confusion. "Come," I purred, shifting, "I need a change…" I remarked, gesturing to my oversized clothing.

Standing with Belle my legs immediately rebelled and she was quick to catch me as I gave an embarrassed laugh. "It's been a while since my feet have been flat," I glanced down as I curled my toes, glancing back up to see Belle forcing her eyes away. I admit I hadn't expected that. I expected something more…welcoming.

But instead I was helped out the ballroom and up to my quarters where I told Belle I could make it around my room without her help. Though, as I was changing (simply getting some trousers without a hole in the back and a top that fitted my smaller torso) Belle chose to finally speak.

"So what does this mean?" She question as I stepped away, finishing buttoning the vest up as I moved towards her with a curious look.

"In terms of what?"

"In terms of you now…well now looking like this," I could see her struggling to find the words as I chewed on my lip, tugging my curls over one shoulder. Pulling in a deep breath I moved towards her, watching her hands toying with some of the fringe on her skirt. Gently I rested my fingers against hers, pulling at her chin with my other hand as our eyes met.

"It means that I have one day as this…and for once I have no desire to waste it," as that I pulled her chin up the few inches to my lips. She didn't fight, practically melting against me as we kissed, a sensation I had been dreaming of for weeks now. Slowly we took the positions we had been in while dancing as our kiss deepened. It was as if what I had started had opened new doors for Belle, but when I started to pull her further into the room I felt her body tense.

She pulled back and I could see the sudden fear mixed with a curious amount of lust. My hand reached up to her cheek as she lowered her eyes, leaning into the touch. "You are the most beautiful woman I have met, and I promise no harm will come to you here," I breathed, resting my forehead against hers as she looked up. Slowly I felt her lips brush against mine as I tried to hide my smile, taking one of her hands and slowly moving her towards the large bed in the center of the room.

COMMENTS: hey, so been far too long since I posted a chapter so I figured I'd send out two for you lovely people reading this. And as you can see it has ended at quite the juicy part...enjoy c: