Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran

Author:Alexis Duran [Duran, Alexis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ShadowSpinners Press

Chapter 8

On a cloudy and windswept afternoon several days later, Wryler retreated to the library with the intent to peruse every shelf. Edgewood Formister’s system of organizing made it utterly impossible to look up anything by the usual means of author, name, or subject, so Wryler took along a notebook and nib pen in order to make notes on the location of interesting tomes.

Happily absorbed in this task, he was surprised to look up from his perch on the third-level balcony and see through the skylight that dusk approached. Usually if Wryler remained holed up for so many hours, Aeric came looking for him.

A prickle of worry made Wryler frown and close his journal, but he had no reason to think any ill had befallen his husband. Wryler hadn’t lived at Gryffon Hall long enough to know what was normal. Just because Aeric hadn’t been gone so long thus far didn’t mean it wasn’t to be expected now and then.

There was much to get used to at Gryffon Hall and much to learn. Wryler had spent much less time in the library than he’d expected. Aeric had made good on his plan to cut back on his night patrols in order to make Wryler’s body hum, sing, and thrash about out of his control.

But “matters of the forest” had pressed in until Sheriff Glynn Clavinger wore a groove pacing before the chamber where Aeric greeted officials, and at last the Lord of Gryffon Hall could resist the call of duty no longer. Aunt Otillia and the party from Glimmerveen left with tears and sighs of relief, leaving behind an Amster now intently focused on besting Persimmon and reclaiming his place by Wryler’s side. The rest of the wedding guests rode off, and the Hall reclined into a peaceful respite.

The newlyweds quickly slipped into an enjoyable routine. Aeric came to Wryler’s bed, pummeled him to a serene puddle of jelly, and then stole off into the night. Wryler never heard Aeric return to the hall, but he always appeared at the table, for dinner if not breakfast, fresh with the scent of woods and fields, eyes blazing and appetite keen.

Wryler was content. He enjoyed married life, mostly, even if his husband was secretive about the matters that called him away from Gryffon Hall nearly every night. In order to sate his curiosity, Wryler vowed to spend more time reading and less time pining for his mate.

Despite this thought, Wryler’s journal remained closed on his lap. He continued to look up at the sky and realized he hadn’t been outside since his arrival, except to cross a courtyard on his way to somewhere or other. Gryffon Hall was massive, and he’d only seen a scant bit of it. He thought about asking to accompany Aeric on a patrol but knew Aeric would refuse. Wryler’s husband was obsessed with Wryler’s safety. Still, a stroll along the shore of the island would be nice.

A flock of pigeons rose as one from their nesting perches on the roof and burst across the skylight.

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