Page 12 of Beauty and the Grendel

With those words, he pulled me into a searing kiss, his lips desperate and passionate against mine. I clung to him, pouring all of my love and fear and hope into that one moment, knowing that it might be our last.

I submitted to Griiq, pushing him down onto the soft rugs that covered the floor of his chamber. My heart raced as I undid the ties of my dress, letting it pool at my feet. I stood before him in nothing but my undergarments, my body trembling with anticipation.

Griiq’s eyes darkened with desire as he took in the sight of me. He reached out, his large hands cupping my hips as he pulled me towards him. I straddled him, my legs on either side of his muscular torso. The heat radiated off of him, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

He ran his hands up my thighs, his touch sending sparks of electricity through my body. I leaned down, my lips finding his in a passionate kiss. His tongue teased mine, and I moaned softly into his mouth.

I reached behind me, unclasping my bra and letting it fall to the floor. Griiq’s hands found my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I gasped at the sensation, my body arching towards him.

He sat up, his mouth finding my breast. He sucked and teased my nipple, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. I ran my fingers through his hair, holding him close to me.

I reached down, my fingers finding the waistband of his pants. I undid the button, and he lifted his hips, allowing me to slide them off. He was naked beneath me, his body hard and muscular.

I positioned myself over him, my hand guiding him inside of me. He filled me completely, and I gasped at the sensation. He groaned, his hands gripping my hips as I moved.

I rode him slowly at first, savoring the feel of him inside of me. He met my movements, his hips thrusting up to meet mine. I leaned down, my lips finding his once again.

Our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, our breaths mingling as we kissed. I could feel the tension building inside of me, my body coiling like a spring.

Griiq’s hands roamed over my body, his touch setting me on fire. He found my clit, his thumb brushing over it in slow, deliberate circles. I cried out, my body shaking as I came.

He followed soon after, his body tensing beneath me as he reached his climax. I collapsed onto his chest, my heart racing as I tried to catch my breath. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as we lay there in silence.

His heart beat against my cheek, steady and strong. I closed my eyes, a sense of peace washing over me. We lay there for what felt like hours, our bodies tangled together. As Griiq pulled away from our embrace, I saw the conflict in his eyes. He wanted to keep me safe, but he also understood my need to be by his side. With a heavy sigh, he nodded, his gaze filled with a mixture of love and concern.

“I can’t stop you from coming with me, Harlow,” he whispered, his voice tinged with resignation. “But you have to promise me that you’ll stay close, and if things get too dangerous, you’ll run. No matter what happens, your safety is my top priority.”

I nodded, my heart swelling with a fierce determination. “I promise, Griiq.”

We gathered our supplies quickly, packing only the essentials. Griiq handed me a small dagger, its blade gleaming in the dim light of the castle. I tucked it into my belt, feeling a strange sense of comfort in its weight against my hip. He pulled me into an embrace before we stepped out the door.

We made our way out of the castle, the cool night air hitting my face as we stepped into the courtyard. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. In the distance, I could see the dark outline of the forest, its trees reaching up like gnarled fingers into the night.

Griiq led the way, his steps sure and steady as we made our way towards the edge of the forest. I followed close behind, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The dagger at my side felt heavy, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked ahead.

As we reached the treeline, Griiq paused, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Are you sure about this, Harlow?” he asked, his voice low and serious. “Once we step into the forest, there’s no turning back.”

I swallowed hard, my heart racing in my chest. I knew the risks, the dangers that awaited us, but I also knew that I couldn’t let Griiq face them alone. “I’m sure,” I said, my voice steady and clear.

Griiq nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He reached out and took my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. Together, we stepped into the forest as the darkness swallowed us whole.

The trees loomed overhead, their branches reaching out like clawed hands. The air was thick, and the silence broken only by the sound of our footsteps on the leaf-strewn ground. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

But even as fear gripped my heart, I was exactly where I was meant to be. By Griiq’s side, facing whatever dangers lay ahead. Together, we would defeat the Camazotz and save the community from its terror.

We pressed on, deeper into the heart of the forest, our hands clasped tightly together, ready to face whatever fate had in store for us.

Chapter 10

Griiq

As we moved through the shadows of the forest, my senses were on high alert. The darkness seemed to close in around us, but Harlow’s presence beside me was a beacon of light. I glanced at her, marveling at her bravery and determination. She met my gaze, her eyes filled with a fierce loyalty that took my breath away.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, my voice low and gruff. “It could be dangerous.”

Harlow reached out and took my hand, her fingers interlacing with mine. “I’m not letting you face this alone, Griiq.”

Her words sent a surge of gratitude through me. In all my years on Earth, I had never encountered someone like Harlow. She saw beyond my monstrous appearance and into the depths of my soul. Her belief in me was unwavering.

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