Chapter 2

Griiq

I paced the castle's stone floors, my clawed feet clicking against the hard surface. The human woman staying at Cainedor Castle unsettled me. I had grown accustomed to the solitude, the isolation from the judgmental eyes of the people in Grimsby. They saw me as a monster, a creature to be feared and despised.

Mason, my loyal butler, approached me with a gentle smile. "Sir, perhaps this is an opportunity to show the world that Cainedor Castle isn't the dreadful place they believe it to be."

I scoffed, my deep voice echoing through the hall. "And what good will that do, Mason? They've already made up their minds about me. Pets and livestock killed, property destroyed... They blame me without a shred of evidence."

"But you have a chance to change that perception, sir. This young woman, Harlow, she's a writer. If she sees the truth, she could help clear your name."

I shook my head, my horns glinting in the dim light. "Or she'll run screaming like the rest of them. No, Mason, it's best if I keep my distance. Let her find her inspiration and leave as quickly as possible."

Mason sighed, his weathered face etched with concern. "As you wish, sir. But do consider giving her a chance. You might be surprised."

I retreated to my chambers, my mind racing with thoughts of the human woman who had just arrived. When I first laid eyes on her, something stirred within me, a feeling I couldn't quite describe. It was as if my heart, long dormant, had suddenly awakened.

I clenched my fists, my claws digging into my palms. No, I couldn't allow myself to feel such things. I was a monster, and she was a human. There could be nothing between us.

I resolved to stay away from Harlow during her stay, to give her the space she needed to find her muse. It was better this way for both of us. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing fear or revulsion in her eyes, the same look I had seen in so many others.

I watched from the shadows as Harlow explored the castle grounds, her pen and tablet in hand. She moved with a grace that captivated me, her auburn hair catching the sunlight as she stepped outside. I longed to approach her, to strike up a conversation and learn more about this intriguing woman who stayed at Cainedor Castle.

But the fear held me back. Fear of rejection, fear of the accusations that would inevitably follow if something were to happen to her during her stay. The people of Grimsby were quick to blame me for any misfortune, and I couldn't bear the thought of Harlow falling victim to their prejudice.

As Harlow settled into the gazebo overlooking the pond, I retreated to the castle's interior. Mason found me pacing the halls, my mind troubled by the conflicting desires within me.

"Sir, if I may," Mason began, his tone gentle yet firm. "I couldn't help but notice your interest in our guest."

I growled, my frustration clear. "It doesn't matter, Mason. She'll see me as a monster, just like everyone else."

"You don't know that, sir. Miss Harlow seems different. She's a writer, someone who looks beyond the surface to find the truth in people's stories."

I shook my head, my claws clenching at my sides. "And what truth will she find in me? A creature to be feared, a beast unworthy of love or compassion."

Mason placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with a steadfast gaze. "The truth, sir, is that you are a good man, regardless of your appearance. You have a kind heart and a gentle soul, and if you give Miss Harlow a chance, she may see that too."

I glanced out the window, my eyes drawn to the gazebo where Harlow sat, lost in her writing. Could Mason be right? Could she be the one to see past my monstrous exterior and glimpse the man within?

"I don't know, Mason," I sighed, my resolve wavering. "I've been hurt before. I don't know if I can risk it again."

"But isn't it worth the risk, sir? To have someone truly know and accept you for who you are?"

Mason's words struck a chord within me. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps it was time to take a chance, to open myself up to the possibility of something more. Days later, I took the courage and invited Harlow to join me for a meal.

??

I stood before the mirror,adjusting my suit and tie. It had been years since I'd dressed up for a formal dinner, and the unfamiliar garments felt strange against my charcoal gray skin. Mason had convinced me to invite Harlow to dine with me, and though I was hesitant, I knew he was right. If I wanted her to see me as more than a monster, I had to try.

As I entered the dining room, I found Harlow already seated at the table, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked up at me, her keen eyes studying my every move. I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious under her gaze.

"Good evening, Miss Harlow," I said, my voice deep and rumbling. "Thank you for joining me for dinner."

She nodded, a slight smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Caind."

As we ate, Harlow peppered me with questions about my origins and how I came to own the castle. I mumbled something about coming to Earth when the invitation to settle here opened up, and how my family's wealth had allowed me to purchase the first place I could find that was big enough to hide within.

I avoided mentioning my first encounters with humans, and how they had always viewed me as a monster. The memories were still too painful, and I didn't want to sour the evening with tales of rejection and fear.

As the meal progressed, the atmosphere grew tense. Harlow sensed my reluctance to share details about my early life, and her questions became more pointed.

"Mr. Caind," she said, her voice soft but firm, "should I be afraid of you? Should I have heeded the warnings I received from the community?"

I felt my heart sink at her words. So, she had heard the rumors, the whispers of the monster that lurked within Cainedor Castle. I set down my fork, my claws clicking against the china.

"Miss Harlow," I said, my voice low and measured, "if you think of me as a monster, then perhaps you should have heeded the warnings."

The words hung heavy in the air between us, and I immediately regretted them. I saw a flicker of something in Harlow's eyes - fear, perhaps, or disappointment. I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the stone floor.

"I bid you a good night, Miss Harlow," I said curtly, unable to meet her gaze. "I hope you find the inspiration you seek during your stay."

With that, I turned and strode from the room, my heart heavy with the weight of my isolation. I had hoped that Harlow would be different, that she would see beyond my monstrous exterior to the man within. But even she could not escape the prejudices of the world outside Cainedor Castle.

As I retired to my chambers, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. I pushed Harlow away, just as I pushed away everyone else in my life. And now, I feared I would never know the warmth of human connection, the joy of being truly seen and accepted for who I was.