Page 35 of Beauty and the Grendel

I leaned into his embrace, savoring the feeling of his body against mine. “It feels like a dream,” I murmured, my fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. “I never thought I could be this happy.”

Griiq pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his eyes shining with love and adoration. “You’ve changed my life, Harlow. Before I met you, I was lost and alone, convinced that I would never find someone who could see past my scars and love me for who I am. But you’ve shown me that anything is possible.”

I smiled up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. “You’ve changed my life too, Griiq. You’ve taught me what it means to love unconditionally, to fight for what I believe in, and to never give up on the people I care about.”

We stood in silence for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, both lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Griiq spoke, his voice soft and hesitant. “Harlow, have you ever thought about... about children?”

I pulled back slightly, my eyes searching his face. “Children? With you?”

Griiq nodded, his expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. “I know it might not be possible, given our... differences. But I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to start a family with you.”

A warmth spread through my chest at his words. The thought of having children with Griiq had crossed my mind before, but I had never dared to voice it out loud. “I’ve thought about it too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but if it is... I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than creating a life together.”

Griiq’s face broke into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with joy. “Can you imagine what our child would look like? Your eyes, my hair... or maybe the other way around.”

I laughed, the sound echoing through the ballroom. “They would be perfect, no matter what. Because they would be ours.”

Griiq pulled me close again, his lips capturing mine in a deep, passionate kiss. When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless and flushed. “I love you, Harlow Adams,” he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. “More than anything in this world.”

“I love you too, Griiq,” I whispered back, my heart so full it felt like it might burst. “Forever and always.”

We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, our hearts beating in sync. The future stretched out before us, full of possibility and promise.

The evening setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows as Griiq and I reluctantly pulled apart. “We should probably get some rest,” he said, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “Big day tomorrow.”

I nodded, my eyes shining with excitement. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Griiq grinned, his expression mirroring my own. “And I can’t wait to be your husband.”

Hand in hand, we made our way out of the barn and into the cool autumn air, our hearts filled with love and anticipation of the future that awaited us.

Chapter 24

Griiq

I straightened my bow tie in the mirror, my charcoal gray hands trembling slightly as I fiddled with the silky fabric. The tuxedo fit like a glove, tailored to perfection, but it did little to calm the nerves fluttering in my stomach.

“You’ve got this, Griiq,” Mason reassured me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Just breathe, man.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. “I never thought this day would come, Mason. After everything we’ve been through...”

Mason chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, you did propose in the middle of a life-or-death situation. Talk about dramatic timing.”

I cracked a smile, remembering the moment I’d dropped to one knee, the Camazotz’s roars echoing in the distance. “What can I say? I have a flair for the theatrical.”

“No kidding,” Mason smirked. He gestured towards the window. “Ready to take a peek at your adoring public?”

I swallowed hard, steeling myself as I approached the window. The courtyard stretched out before me, a sea of white chairs filled with smiling faces. Harlow’s family, resplendent in their finery, mingled with the citizens of Grimsby. The same people who had once feared and reviled me now chatted amiably, their laughter carrying on the crisp autumn breeze.

“They’ve come a long way,” I murmured, marveling at the sight.

“You both have,” Mason agreed, standing beside me. “Who would’ve thought the misunderstood monster and the intrepid writer would end up here?”

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips. “Certainly not me. But Harlow... she saw something in me that no one else did. She believed in me when no one else would.”

Mason clapped me on the back. “And now you’re about to marry her. How’s that for a happily ever after?”

I grinned, the nerves giving way to a giddy excitement. “It’s more than I ever dared to dream of.”

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