If she had been any more beautiful, Endymion would have been forced by his primal urges to break free of his comforts of celibacy.  

Every woman that the young lord had ever tried to...seduce, ended up being too much for him. He wanted to take things slow; enjoy the person’s personality and get to know them before he bedded them. But he had had no such luck. Gavril had suggested trying different types of women. He had even suggested giving it a go with men. Gavril encouraged his friend to explore his sexual preferences and boundaries, promising Endymion that he would not be disappointed. However, Endymion knew exactly what he wanted.  

“Eddy!” 

The lord blinked and turned to stare at Asajj, her multicolored eyes glinting with annoyance at his distracted state.  

“W-what did you say?” 

She flicked her long braid over her shoulder and rolled over from where she lay with a book on the Griph species. Her green and gold gown was flowy like silk around her lithe form as she sat up and pointed to an illustration in the book.  

“This copy of the book must be quite outdated,” Asajj gazed at the crude sketch of the massive Griph, her lips twitching in amusement, “Griphs aren’t ‘the size of a small house’.” 

Endymion frowned, trying to figure out how she could possibly know that. 

“Asajj, I purchased that book a few months ago,” The lord took the book from the witch’s hands and thumbed through the pages, careful to save her place, “There is no way it’s outdated.” 

She grumbled under her breath, snatching the book back, “It’s still wrong. They’re more the size of a large horse.” 

Her matter-of-fact tone made Endymion’s stomach churn with nerves, “And how, pray tell, do you know that?” 

Asajj looked around as if anticipating someone was eavesdropping and leaned in close, her voice low and sweet as her breath tickled Endymion’s ear. It took everything in his mortal body not to lean into her warmth and lose himself as he stared into her wide, colorful eyes. 

“I made a very big friend last night.” Endymion’s eyes went wide, and his heart started pounding, half from how close she was, half from how sure he was that she knew. SHE KNEW.  

The witch backed away from the shocked lord, laying back on his bed nonchalantly as she picked the book back up. Asajj spoke without looking at him, her full lips turned up in a way that made strange heat pool in Endymion’s stomach. 

“He was very friendly...and large, but not nearly as big as a house.” 

Endymion swallowed hard and ran a shaking hand through his hair trying to recall what had happened after he locked himself in one of the large cells in the basement of the palace. 

“Did-did he hurt you?” 

Asajj looked up from where she read, her face drawn in surprise, “Aw! Don’t be such a worry wart, Endymion,” She grinned, peering at him from the corner of her eye, “I’m a very careful witch...” 

The look she gave him made his lips part in terror as he inhaled sharply, trying to reign his wild emotions in.  

“W-what was he like?” 

The lord’s question came out as barely a whisper, prompting Asajj closer again with a curious look in her eyes.  

“He was quite cuddly, for a beast that could tear through an army with ease,” The witch laughed, tilting her head back in amusement, “And he was so soft! More like a giant puppy than the monsters that are described in this very inaccurate book.” 

She fiddled with the end of her braid, staring into Endymion’s eyes with a look that could have brought any man to his knees.  

“His magic was very strong,” she glanced at Endymion’s scarred hands as he wrung his fingers in a manner that looked almost painful, “Very distinct.” 

SHE KNOWS!!!!!! 

All the warning bells and alarms in Endymion’s mind were going off, filling him with a strange mix of revere for this clever woman and panic for what she was going to say next. He waited with bated breath as she took his hand in hers to stop him from hurting himself. 

“Doesn’t it hurt?” 

Endymion’s large chambers were silent as she waited for his response, her shoulder brushing his as she stroked his knuckles in a way that soothed his very soul. 

If she had been any more beautiful... 

“Doesn’t it hurt, Eddy?” She looked sad, “Hiding him?” 

The lord sucked in a breath through his teeth, his eyes widening as the witch’s gaze searched him. Endymion didn’t realize he was crying until Asajj had reached up and brushed his tears away, her slender fingers blazing trails of heat across the skin of his face. She made soothing noises as his shoulders slumped and he leaned into her embrace, letting himself really feel for the first time in years.  

“Let him out, Endymion, I’ll keep him safe.” 

And like her word was the command of the gods, Endymion’s body began to shift.  

Usually, the change would have been painful, and Endymion’s human consciousness would fade until all that remained was the darkness that surrounded him while his Griph rampaged in the safety of the basement cell. But Asajj’s arms were like anchors that tied him to his body, even as it changed. Instead of the throbbing pain that usually came with changing, he felt comfortable. He felt warm and light. Endymion felt free.  

He yipped once, trying to remain quiet, but his excitement at being out in the open again so soon overwhelmed him. The griph looked down, his four eyes blinking in synchronized surprise as he stared down into the wide eyes of his friend.  

Asajj grinned and took a step back, only to be knocked over as Endymion barked and nudged her with his wet nose, the noise resonating throughout the room loudly. His new friend smelled soooooooo sweet; sweeter than anything he had ever smelled before. He wanted to cuddle her and lick her face and smell her all over and taste her—No! He couldn’t! He whimpered as he held back, watching her laugh loudly and struggle to her feet, reciprocating his energetic greeting while she rushed forward to rub his muzzle and scratch his head. Endymion immediately forgot what he had been so worried about and barked again, dragging his hot tongue against any part of Asajj that he could reach. She shrieked and laughed wildly, trying to shoo him away as he knocked her over again, this this time onto the bed, and began licking her face and sniffing at her neck.  

Then he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise and his lips curl back in a low growl. Asajj didn’t look afraid; instead, her eyes hardened, and she looked to where Endymion was growling, her braid coming undone as her curls flowed around her shoulders like a dark fog.  

“Is someone at the door Eddy?” 

The Griph snarled in response, shielding the witch with his body. His instincts told him to protect this sweet-smelling woman and tear apart whoever was here to take her away. To hurt her. 

The door to Endymion’s chamber swung open and Gavril marched in, his golden eyes ablaze with fury. Then, his gaze caught on Asajj and his face fell for a moment, giving Endymion his chance to attack. The griph lunged at the king, his mind void except for one thought:  

He can’t have her. 

—————— 

I had never expected Gavril to come waltzing through the door, his steely gaze melting into one of confusion as he spotted me standing next to the massive griph who snarled viciously beside me. I expected Endymion to recognize the king and calm down, but just as Gavril opened his mouth in question, Endymion lunged, moving faster than I would have thought possible. I channeled magic through my vocal cords, making my voice rich with power in an attempt to stop Endymion from attacking his friend.  

“Endymion,” My voice was still soft and calm, but it was laced with magic that stopped him in his tracks, “Calm down; it’s just Gavril.” 

The Griph growled, but did not move, instead turning his head to look back at me.  

“Come here.” I commanded gently, my voice going back to normal as I cooed to him softly and he padded back to me, leaning down to rest his head on the bed so I could reward him for listening.  

“L-lady Asajj-” Endymion growled dangerously, but once I laid my hand upon his head, he quieted, staring daggers at the king instead.  

I hushed Endymion and he whined but showed no sign that he would get aggressive again. 

“I apologize, Gavril,” The king looked more worried for my health than he did his own, “Endymion hadn’t been nearly as... aggravated before you arrived. I have no clue why he’s behaving like this.” 

I shot a disapproving glance at the Griph and he whined again, casting his gaze to the floor.  

Gavril cleared his throat, but made no attempt at advancing, “He’s territorial right now; he doesn’t want anyone in his ‘den’ or near his ‘new toy,’” The king sighed and furrowed his eyebrows in frustration, “Endymion usually only lets his Griph out when he is locked away in the palace dungeons...it could be dangerous otherwise.” 

Nodding slowly, I pet Endymion’s head, turning Gavril’s words over in my mind.  

“So, he thinks that I am a new plaything and he’s getting territorial about it...that’s why he tried to attack you... And he’ll probably be hell-bent on keeping me to himself for a while, am I right?” The king nodded and sighed again, “How do you know all of this?” 

“Endymion and I have been friends for a very long time. I found him once, after he had changed back, and he explained everything to me.” Gavril studied me curiously, “Asajj, how did you find out?” 

I almost laughed; Endymion had worked so hard to hide himself from others, only to bust through my doors and expect me to play with him, exposing himself accidentally. 

“He was whining at my door last night,” My attention shifted from the king to Endymion as he licked my fingers softly, “Isn’t that right, big boy, hm? You just wanted to play!” 

Endymion sat up quickly and barked crouching low while his long, silver tail swished back and forth in a playful manner.  

“Asajj, in this state, Eddy can’t control his instincts and urges,” Gavril tried to come closer, but Eddy barked once, his lips curling back to reveal glistening fangs dripping with saliva, “He’s dangerous.”