Page 29 of Beauty and the Grendel

Griiq pulled me close, his powerful arms encircling my waist. I melted into his embrace, resting my head against his broad chest. We swayed together in perfect harmony, our bodies moving as one to the rhythm of the music.

As we danced, the world fell away until there was nothing but the two of us, lost in each other’s eyes. Griiq’s gaze filled with such love and adoration that it took my breath away. I knew in that moment that I would never tire of being in his arms, of feeling the warmth of his body against mine.

The song drew to a close, but Griiq made no move to release me. Instead, he brought his hand up to cup my cheek, his thumb gently caressing my skin. “Harlow, my love,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

Before I could respond, he lowered himself to one knee, reaching into his pocket to withdraw a small black velvet box. My heart stuttered in my chest as he opened it, revealing the most beautiful ring I had ever seen.

The diamond was large, at least a carat, and it sparkled like a miniature sun in the candlelight. Smaller diamonds surrounded it, their fire just as bright, and they extended halfway around the band in an intricate, glittering design.

“Harlow Adams,” Griiq said, his eyes never leaving mine. “From the moment you walked into my life, everything changed. You saw past the monster that everyone else feared and found the man beneath. You’re my light in the darkness, my hope for a future I never dared to dream of. I love you more than words can say, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears sprang to my eyes as I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. “Yes, Griiq, yes!”

The room erupted into applause as Griiq slipped the ring onto my finger, the servants clapping and cheering at my declaration. But I barely heard them, too lost in the love shining in Griiq’s eyes as he rose to his feet and pulled me into a passionate kiss.

Chapter 20

Griiq

A sense of unease washed over me. Harlow’s invitation to meet her family in Florida hung heavy in the air, a prospect that filled me with both longing and dread. The thought of venturing out into a world that saw me as nothing more than a monster, a creature to be feared and reviled, made my heart sink into the depths of despair.

“Griiq, please,” Harlow pleaded, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of hope and determination. “The world has changed. There are others like you now, creatures that once existed only in myth and legend. You won’t be alone.”

I turned away, my gaze fixed on the ancient stone walls that had been my sanctuary for so long. “I don’t know, Harlow. What if they reject me? What if they see only the monster that I am?”

Harlow’s soft hand touched my arm, a gentle reassurance that stirred something deep within me. “They won’t, Griiq. They’ll see you for who you truly are - a kind, brave, and loving soul. Trust me.”

I looked into her eyes, those pools of warmth and understanding that had captured my heart from the moment we met. In them, I found the courage to face my fears, to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

“Alright,” I conceded, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go with you to Florida.”

Harlow’s face lit up with a smile that could rival the sun itself. She threw her arms around me. Her embrace was a balm to my troubled soul. “Thank you, Griiq. You won’t regret this, I promise.”

The days that followed were a flurry of preparations. Harlow helped me pack, her enthusiasm infectious as she chattered about all the things she wanted to show me in her hometown. I tried to focus on her words, to let her excitement wash away the trepidation that still gnawed at the edges of my mind.

As we stood in line at the airport, I noticed the stares and whispers that followed me. People gawked at my charcoal gray skin, my dark gray hair, and the two short horns that protruded from my head. I pulled my hood up, trying to hide from their scrutiny, but Harlow’s hand slipped into mine, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone.

“Next,” the airline agent called, her eyes widening slightly as we approached the counter. I handed her our tickets, my heart pounding in my chest as she inspected them.

“Everything seems to be in order,” she said, her voice tight with forced politeness. “Have a pleasant flight.”

Harlow squeezed my hand, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “See? Nothing to worry about.”

As we made our way down the jet bridge, the enormity of what I was about to do hit me like a tidal wave. I was leaving behind everything I had ever known, venturing into a world that had once seemed so hostile and unforgiving.

We took our seats on the plane, Harlow’s head resting on my shoulder as the engines roared to life. As we lifted off the ground, I closed my eyes and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Whatever the future held, and with Harlow, I had finally found a place where I belonged.

As the plane touched down in Florida,a mix of excitement and trepidation coursed through my veins. Harlow’s presence beside me was a constant reassurance, her hand gently squeezing mine as we made our way through the bustling airport. The humid air enveloped us as we stepped outside, a stark contrast to the crisp mountain air I had grown accustomed to.

Harlow led the way to the rental car counter, her infectious smile never wavering as she chatted with the attendant. I stood back, my hood pulled up to conceal my unusual features. The last thing I wanted was to draw unwanted attention to myself in this unfamiliar place.

We settled into the rental car. Harlow grinned eagerly as she squeezed my hand. She chatted away about her hometown, pointing out landmarks and sharing childhood memories as we navigated the sun-drenched streets. I tried to focus on her words, to let her enthusiasm wash away the nervousness that gnawed at the pit of my stomach.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into the driveway of a quaint suburban home. Harlow’s parents’ house. My heart raced as I stepped out of the car, my hands clenched at my sides. Harlow bounded up the front steps, her finger pressing the doorbell with barely contained glee.

The door swung open, revealing a middle-aged couple with surprised expressions. Harlow’s parents. Their eyes widened as they took in their daughter’s unexpected appearance, but their smiles quickly faded as their gazes landed on me.

I watched as they flinched, their bodies shrinking back into the doorway. A mix of fear and confusion replaced the warmth in their eyes. My heart sank as I realized that even here, in the presence of Harlow’s loved ones, they saw me as a monster.

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