The Ruby Empire

Phanes the Griffin

Male Monster x Female Reader

The ceremony was long and grueling, the feast afterward even more insufferable. None of that compared though to the carriage ride to the honeymoon villa. You became betrothed to this man you had never met since you were young. It had been a promise made by your father to keep his land and title. The plus was, you would now be able to live in the lap of luxury. The downside was that your new husband was an angry, bitter monster.

You glance up at him, inspecting the line of his beak. The way his feathers went into a dark mohawk down the back of his head and into the fluffy, pale mane around his neck. A griffin, your father had told you. A rare creature who brings wealth with him wherever he goes. Gold pours from his talons and silver from his wings.

Sure, you were a rich and kept woman now. Yet you had no taste for your new husband. His personality was sour at best and he seemed to pay you no regard. You look away from him, continuing to pick are your nails and the ornate diamond ring on your finger.

You were to be at this honeymoon villa for a month, after that you would both move back to his massive mansion. You could handle the mansion, at least there you would have space. The villa was another story. It was small and intimate, giving it was for honeymoons. Yet there was no intimacy to be had. There wasn't even any chemistry.

When you arrive it's dark, the pathway lit by glowing stones. Your new husband at least takes responsibility and helps you from the carriage. He holds your hand so you do not stumble walking on the path.

As he opens the door you sigh and roll your eyes. "Aren't you supposed to carry the bride over the threshold."

He glances down at you, dark eyes narrowing. "You do not seem to want me to touch you. So I won't touch you." He opens the door and flourishes his hand out for you to enter.

You frown and step inside and then you freeze. Your eyes widen as you see flowers and candles covering the room. In the center, there is a table filled with food. It isn't the fancy food that made a bite at the wedding feast. You see all your favorites laid out on the table. Stuffed peppers, baked apples, large wheels of cheese and ripe olives.

"What is all this?" You ask, turning back to your husband as he closes the door.

"It is a honeymoon, is it not?" He scoffs, his feathers fluffing and wings shaking out. "I care not for the pomp and circumstance of any ceremony, let alone a wedding." He scoffs and rolls his eyes. "I had a headache the entire time. I knew I couldn't enjoy the feast so I set this up for us." He looks over you, "I noticed you didn't eat either."

You nod, "yeah. I mean no, I never ate anything worth its weight."

"They think finery comes in tiny portions. I say it comes dripping on a fork." He takes off his robe and jacket, peeling away layers until his wings are able to expand and shudder.

You watch him, stunned by the transformation that had come over him. You had only met him a week before the wedding and he had seemed unable to form a kind word. Now, he seemed almost pleasant.

He motions through the flowers to a pink door. "That's your room, you can change in there. I made sure there were comfortable clothes sent ahead."

"Uh," you're almost too stunned to understand him but you dart to the room. You find the closet full of tunics, comfortable summer dresses, and strappy sandals. Things you would find in your own closet at home, only much nicer.

You also find a box full of jewelry, another full of snacks and candy. It's everything you had dreamed of but never expected to have.

You change and walk back out, finding your new husband pouring himself a goblet full of wine. "Here," he passes it off to you. "You're married, get drunk."