Page 281 of The Protective Gryphen

When she went back on all four of her legs, he leaned over, and rubbed her neck.

“Shhhh, it’s okay, Juliet. It’s okay. We’re good. It’s okay, girl. You’re a good girl,” he said, soothingly into her ear, and she calmed.

“What the hell?” Gryphen asked.

He didn’t know.

“She was good and then, something caught her off guard. It must have been a forest animal or something.”

Gryphen watched as he calmed the horse down, speaking gently to it.

Both animals were acting weird, so Gryphen rubbed Romeo’s shoulder, and did the same.

“It’s okay, boy. Your lady is okay. Shhhhh. I know. They make you nuts when they get into a mess.”

The horse shook its head.

“Really, my Lord?” Ian asked, hearing him. “Are we going to go there? I’m feeling hella shrewish.”

He winked at his man.

Yeah, and he liked him that way.

Now, Gryphen had to see if they could continue on. His romantic trip might be ending.

“Is she okay to keep going? We don’t have much more time before the sun disappears and is gone.”

He nodded.

“Yeah, she’s calm. Let’s get to the ledge,” he said, wanting to see it.

Riding the next two minutes, it didn’t take long to get to the edge.

They managed to get there as the sun was at the horizon.

“Hurry,” Gryphen said, going to help Ian off the horse. He grabbed him by the waist, and hoisted him to the ground.

Looking back, he could see the top of the mountain where the castle sat.

“Holy shit,” Gryphen said as they reached the cliff. “It’s gorgeous here,” he admitted, as they looked down over the valley, the road into town, and the snow-covered trees.

And the sunset.

There was a big rock there, so Gryphen grabbed a blanket he’d brought, and laid it out. Together, they sat on the rock, holding hands. They each took off one glove, and just watched the sun set below the trees.

“This is beautiful,” Ian said. “This place is perfect because I’m with you.”

On that, Gryphen agreed.

“I’ve seen many sunsets, Mr. Patterson, but this is the most important one because I have you.”

That was incredibly sweet.

When the sun kissed down, they knew they’d have ten or fifteen minutes before it was dark. There was still some glow from the sun.

“This is the end of the kingdom,” Gryphen said, “and I love that we’re here together,” he stated. “I love being with you so much. You’re my happiness.”

That made his heart skip.

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