Desdemona

The following day

*Kamara’s POV*

I was so proud of Des. She defeated her mother in an all out battle and was crowned queen of our clan. She was going to be an amazing leader. I was also honored to serve her as her advisor. I went to her room to wake her, as was part of my duties on her first day as queen. I opened the curtains slowly so that she would awaken in her own way. She hated when the curtains were pulled open all at once. She began to stir slowly. When she finally pulled the blankets down and opened her eyes, I opened the curtains fully. I rang for Sulema so that we could get the new queen bathed, dressed, and ready for her day. She came right away. Sulema went to draw a bath for our queen and I went to her closet to get her clothes. Unlike human women, we didn’t need brassiers to keep our bosoms perky. It came from when we used to turn to stone by day. We still had that ability if we so chose, especially to heal. We also didn’t need to wear human underwear. We wore a type of loincloth. We went into the bathroom where Sulema had the bath ready. I helped her remove her sleeping garb (or pajamas as they are called by humans) amidst protests. I then gave her my talon so that she could lower herself carefully into her bath. Sulema began washing Des’s hair as I talked to her.

She used a special shampoo to make her hair soft and easy to style. It smelled so good! It was from a specialty store that had a gargoyles only clientele. Des only used their shampoos and conditioners. She may have used the gargoyle line of body wash and body mists from Bath and Body, but she was very particular about her hair care. It actually reminded of the body mist she loved so much called Misty Morn. Once her hair was washed and conditioned and her body clean, Sulema wrapped Des’s hair in a towel and I wrapped her body in a towel. We helped out of the tub. Sulema drained the water from the tub while I dried Des’s hair with something similar to a human blow dryer. It was a special device that was best used on gargoyle hair. We then helped her get dressed and ready to go down to breakfast. I had chosen a beautiful blue silk dress for her to wear. It was made from a special type of silk worm that came from a certain part of the world. It was similar to Jasmine Silk, soft on one side and matte on the other. The main difference was that it was a slightly softer silk.

It was specially made for gargoyles. Once she was dressed, I brushed and styled her hair. I added a crown of forget me nots. I also placed a sapphire necklace around her neck, sapphire earrings in her ears, and a beautiful sapphire ring on her finger. Tradition dictated that the queen wore a green dress and emeralds for her coronation and a blue dress with sapphires the day after. We walked down in front of her. Once we reached the bottom of the staircase, we said in unison; “ALL HAIL DESDEMONA! ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!” Des was embarrassed by this, but knew that it was tradition. Everyone cheered seeing their new queen. She smiled and waved at everyone. Eventually, the cheering died down and she made her way to the dining room and breakfast. Once we reached it, the kitchen staff shouted; “ALL HAIL DESDEMONA! ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!” She rolled her eyes and went to her table and sat at the head of the table. Once she was seated, everyone else took their seat around her table and the various other tables around the dining room.

The staff began bringing out the various plates and drinks. Of course Des was served first. She was given a plate of eggs, bangers (pork sausage links), hash browns, and toast. She was also given tea and juice, with a side of fresh fruit, butter, and an assortment of jams for her toast. She took a forkful of everything on her plate, tried it, and declared it delicious. I had already tasted it before it was served to make sure that she hadn’t been poisoned. She added sugar and milk to her tea, buttered her toast, and then added jam. Once she began eating and drinking, everyone else did too. Breakfast was an uncomfortable affair. It was strange because there was usually a lot of joking and teasing. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Des was now our queen. I just hoped that once everyone had gotten used to the idea, the carefree attitude and atmosphere would return. Once breakfast was finished, the dishes were cleared away and Des left the dining signaling the real end to the meal. Forks and knives began clattering to the tables. Our clan followed similar rules that the British royal family followed; nobody sat down until the queen did, nobody ate until she did, when she left the table, the meal was ended, etc.

*Desdemona’s POV*

Breakfast was so different this morning. The only thing that I could figure was that I’m now queen. They no longer see me as their equal, but as their ruler. I needed some time to myself to sort things out. I decided to go to the stables and take my horse for a ride. I needed to clear my mind. I got to the stables and went directly to see Sable. I put his bridle on him and led him out of his stall. I walked him for a good forty-five minutes before leading him back in to saddle him so that we could ride. I took off the stupid dress and jewels. I left the crown of flowers though. I was in nothing more than my loincloth and an undershirt. That was perfectly fine with me. I mounted Sable and kicked him into a gallop. We tore out of the stable as if our hair was on fire and were running to try to extinguish it. I let him run at full gallop until he tired himself out. We ended up in a clearing with a beautiful lake. I dismounted, grabbed the reins and let him to the lake so that we could both have a drink. After we had drunk our fill, I removed his saddle and blanket and led him into the lake.

I knew that he needed to cool off as much, if not more than I did. We enjoyed the cool water and frolicked playfully. Once we had cooled ourselves sufficiently, we got out of the water to dry ourselves in the sun. I ended up falling asleep. Sable had laid down next to me. I curled up to his belly and he laid his head on my waist. Next thing I knew, I heard voices. “Highness? Highness, where are you?” “Highness, are you here?” I came fully awake and stood up. “We’re over here next to the lake!” I yelled. They came over to where we were and Thundera covered me with a blanket. “Highness, what were you thinking?! Why did you remove your clothing?” “That dress was too restrictive. How was I going to ride in that ridiculous thing?” I retorted. “A lady would have ridden side saddle, Highness.” Came the reply. I snorted. I had never learned to ride that way. I didn’t even own a side saddle! “Do you honestly think I’m so delicate that I have to ride like human nobility just because I’m queen?” I spat.

She looked at me in shock as I had never spoken to her or anyone else like that. “I’m sorry, Thundera. Truly.” I apologized. “Tis nothing, Highness. Tis not my place to question how you ride.” Came her simple reply. I felt bad that I had been so harsh. “Listen, this whole being queen thing is overwhelming. Breakfast wasn’t any fun like it normally is. It felt stiff and formal. That’s not me nor how I plan to run things. My parents didn’t do things that way either. They were loved and respected during their reign. I plan on doing things the same way; relaxed and laid back unless it’s a formal dinner.” I admitted. She lifted her eyes to mine and I saw that they were shining with tears. This broke me. I hugged my friend and apologized again. “Thundera, please forgive my harshness. You know that’s not the kind of gargoyle that I am. As I said, I’m overwhelmed.” “Of course I forgive you, Highness.” She said. I roared, but softly and told her that I hated when she used my title. “As your queen, I order you to call me Des!” I said firmly. She looked at me in shocked and then just laughed. “Aye lass I think you’ve gone daft!” I crossed my arms and pouted. Kamara walked up just then and saw Thundera laughing her fool head off and saw me pouting. “Don’t ask!” I told her. She just looked even more confused. We stood up and I saddled Sable again. The three of us mounted up and headed back. Once we got to the stable, we handed off our horses and went in through the back and up to the east wing. We went to my room and flopped onto my bed as though we were all still teenagers.

*Thundera’s POV*

I was hoping to see that Des was feeling somewhat more like her old self. She had just about given me a heart attack when I couldn’t find her. As her personal guard and head warrior, it was my duty to be by her side and protect her at all times. She never was one to follow protocol, even when we were children. Her poor nanny had had a time keeping her young charge in hand. Her parents had gone through several nannies before finally giving up. They eventually left her care to my parents. We were always together, along with Kamara. We just laid back on Des’s bed and talked like old times. I was glad that she wanted to keep things informal unless absolutely necessary. “So, Des, tell me more about the human you met the other day when you and Kamara went shopping.” Both of them looked at me in shock. “What? You said that as my queen you ordered me to call you Des. I can’t disobey a direct order. It goes against my training.” They looked at each and started cracking up. I joined them. Once we had calmed down, Des answered my question.

“He was young like me, around 19 or 20, tall, black, muscular, and very fit. He must be a soldier or something. What does it matter? There’s no way that he’s my life partner. How could he be? He’s HUMAN!” She emphasized the word human as though it left a bad taste in her mouth. Kamara and I looked at her in shock. “Um, Des. There’s something that you need to know about that.” We both looked at Kamara expectantly. “You see, I talked to your parents and they said that they didn’t think that there was any way around the bond. They want to speak to you in more detail about the situation.” “HOW CAN THERE BE NO WAY AROUND IT?! HE’S A HUMAN!” She roared. “I don’t know. You’ll just have to talk to your parents.” Des stormed out of her room, Kamara right behind her. She went down the stairs so fast and looked so angry, that everyone immediately cleared out of the way and no one bothered speaking to any of us. Des’s eyes were glowing black with rage.

We got to the west wing and her parents’ quarters. She threw open the door without knocking and roared; “EVERYBODY OUT NOW!”No questions were asked. All of the servants fled in fear. “IS WHAT KAMARA SAYS TRUE?! IS THERE NO WAY AROUND THIS?! AM I STUCK WITH A PUNY HUMAN?!” She roared. Her parents looked at each other. “Sit down lass. There is much to be discussed.” Said her father. “DON’T PATRONIZE ME DA! IWANT ANSWERS!!Bellowed Des. To be perfectly honest, I was terrified of her at that moment. I looked at Kamara. Her expression mirrored that of myself and her parents. “We spoke with the Elders, Desdemona. They said that there is no way to break the bond. Even though there has never been a human/gargoyle pairing in recorded history, to deny your life partner is to deny yourself and to basically commit suicide.” Her mother said gently. “I don’t believe this ridiculousness! Why am I the first ever gargoyle to get stuck with a human?!” She was mad and undertandably so.

“I don’t know lass. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our comprehension.” Angus replied. Des just rolled her eyes. “So, I guess I have to find this human and convince him that fate has brought us together and he has to live the rest of his life away from humans? As queen, I can’t live among his kind.” Des said incredulously. “Pretty much.” Said Kamara. Des turned to her and snarled. “Whoa! Hold on there, Des. I’m not the one you’re mad at.” We all knew that Kamara was right. How was she supposed to find and convince a human to give up his whole life and come live here in the castle? It sounded more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack as the humans like to say. I never have understood that. Why would there be a needle in a haystack? Humans had some very unusual sayings. Just then the door opened and in walked a quartet of gargoyles that I had never seen before. “Child, you must embrace your destiny with this human. The two of you will lead the gargoyle kingdom into greatness. This will be the start of an unbreakable alliance between our races.” The blonde one said. We all looked at her. “Do not fear, Desdemona. We are the Elders of your kind. Trust us. You are destined to be the greatest gargoyle queen of all time and the human plays a key role in that.” “You got to be cracked out your damn mind!” Des said. I looked at her in shock. I knew what she meant, but it was rude nevertheless. “Cracked out my damn mind?” The Elder questioned with a raised brow.

“Your ladyship, it’s a human phrase that basically means you’re crazy.” I told her. She turned to me and said; “Thundera, daughter of Angela and Gabriel, you are most wise.” I looked at her in disbelief. “You knew my parents?” I asked her in shock. My parents had been killed five years ago. There was still no explanation for it nor was there a cause. “Aye lass. I know them well. My name is Celeste.” “Know? Don’t you mean that you knew them well? They died five years ago when I was 16.” I asked her in confusion. “Nay lass. They are still very much alive. They are here right now.” “Yeah, you definitely cracked out your damn mind lady!” Des said. Celeste looked at her again with a raised brow and replied; “Desdemona, daughter of Angus and Agatha, you are most impertinent. I think you were given the crown too soon.” “Look, I’m sorry for my impertinence, but I attended the funeral. I saw the bodies. I basically grew up in Thundera’s house. So did my friend Kamara.” Kamara and I just nodded. “Be that as it may, I can assure you that I am not cracked out my damn mind.”

Just then, I heard a voice that I hadn’t heard in five years. “Thundera, my dearest daughter! You have grown up to be quite a beauty!!” I looked beyond Celeste and there stood my parents! How could this be? They were dead! I buried them five years ago!! What sorcery was this?! “Mum? Da? Is it really you? How?” I wanted to reach out to them, but I was afraid that it was all just an elaborate hoax, that they weren’t standing right in front of me looking and sounding very much alive. “Lass, we’re very real and very much alive. We had to disappear to accept our new role as Elders. We’re so sorry that we had to make you think that we were dead.” I walked over and touched them. They were very real. I hugged them, sobbing. “Why couldn’t you tell me the truth? I have missed you dearly these past five years.” They hugged me and apologized again. We wept like small children.

“My dear, we have been watching over you. You have become a fine warrior. We are proud of you.” Said my father. I couldn’t believe that they were here. I had so many questions. “Da, are you and mum back for good or just for today?” “Aye, lass. We’re back for good. We’ve wanted to tell you, but we were forbidden. We are still Elders, but also your parents.” Dad said. I excused myself so that I could speak with my parents in private. Celeste let us go.

*Desdemona POV*

I was completely shocked at seeing Thundera’s parents again, alive and well after so long. I was happy for them. “Desdemona, I have someone here that would like to meet you.” Celeste said. She stepped aside and there stood the human that I had seen three days ago in town. I was shocked to see him there. “You! How did you get here?” I demanded. “First off, I have a name. It’s Damon. Second, this nice lady said that we were destined to be together, even though I’m human and you’re a gargoyle. I have no idea what that really means, but I’m down for anything. How do you feel about getting to know me? I think you’re beautiful, truthfully speaking.” Did this human just put me in my place? What the?! “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME IN SUCH AN IMPERTINENT MANNER HUMAN!” I roared. “I AM A QUEEN!” I roared again. “Yeah well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I’m a human and not a gargoyle. That means that I don’t obey you!” This human was seriously testing my patience. How dare he?!

“Listen, if we’re actually destined to be together, Damon, there are some things you need to know. You are to respect me as your partner. You also need to respect my clan and any decisions that I make. I am independent and don’t need anyone, but since it seems that we are destined to be together, I will accept you. Can you accept that?” I said. “Yo, Des, I’m cool with whatever. I understand that this is your clan. I wouldn’t dream of telling you how to handle things, especially since I’m unfamiliar with your kind or laws.” Came the impertinent response. Why must he vex me so?! Ugh! This was going to be a true test of patience and diplomacy. How is it that in such a short time I was ready to choke this human? Normally, I have the patience of a saint. “Another thing, Damon. Please learn to use a more respectful tone when speaking to me or the one called Thundera will rip you apart with no thought of consequence.” I warned. “That goes for me too, Damon. Respect her or I’ll rip your throat out!” Growled Kamara.

He just looked at her in stupefied shock. “Yo, are you for reals?” He asked. Before anyone knew what was happening, Kamara had him by the throat. “WATCH YOUR TONE INSOLENT HUMAN! I DON’T CARE IF YOU ARE HER LIFE PARTNER, I WILL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT!!” “KAMARA! PUT HIM DOWN!!” I commanded. She obeyed at once. “Geez, I’m sorry. Ok? Just don’t rip my throat out, please.” He said apologetically. “You have been warned, Damon. I would be on your best behaviour. Kamara and Thundera will not hesitate to kill you if they feel that it is deserved.” I advised him. “Ok. Yikes! My bad. Please call me Day. Almost everyone does. I promise to be on my best behaviour from now on.” Said he. I was glad to hear that he was willing to cooperate. It really was in his best interest.

Life partner or not, I refused to be talked to rudely. He had much to learn. I just hoped that he made an effort to fit in. “Day, we need to talk about some things. Please come with me.” I said. He followed me out of my parents’ chambers and back to the east wing. Kamara followed us. She stood outside of my room in case she was needed. “This is my chamber or bedroom as you humans call it. Unlike the cartoon, we no longer turn to stone by day. We do in some cases of severe injury, but we sleep in beds just like your people do. We also eat, shower/bathe, and feel things. Please tell me about you.” I informed him. “Well, I’m 18. I’m from Lexington, Kentucky. I have several brothers and sisters. My father died when I was young. I came to Indianapolis three years ago. I work in construction. I’ve never really thought about settling down though, at least not this young.

“How would it work? I mean the s*x part? Forgive me, Des. I’m not trying to be rude. As I mentioned before, I know nothing of your kind. Do you have the same parts as human women? I mean, I see that you have breasts. But what about the other part?” The poor guy was embarrassed beyond belief! I couldn’t help but laugh. “I have seen human females and I can assure you that we are capable of s****l i*********e. We have similar parts as you call them. As for the part about having a child, I don’t know if it would be hatched like a gargoyle or born like a human. I don’t even know if it would be possible for me to have a child with you. You see, with me being a member of the royal family, I am only ever going to have one child. It has been that way for centuries, even millenia.” I informed him. “So we could have s*x, but we might only ever have one child or even any at all? Is there any way that we could find out if it were indeed possible?” He asked.

“I’m not sure. I mean we could always go to a geneticist, but I don’t know how useful it would be. Genetics is a tricky thing. I just hope that we can learn something useful. I would love to have a child someday. I mean if it’s possible.” I said matter of factly. I walked over to him and caressed Day’s cheek. “My darling, nothing would make me happier than to have a child with you. I just hope that it’s possible.” I continued. He nodded in agreement. With it being the weekend, I wouldn’t be able to make any calls for an appointment until Monday. I planned on calling a few of my friends in the medical field for some recommendations. I could call them now and call the clinics come Monday morning. “I have friends in the medical field, some in the field of genetics. I can call them today to get the numbers of the clinics that may be able to help us. Then come Monday, I can call the clinics and get something set up for us. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. I don’t want to start the ritual of us becoming life partners without knowing whether or not we are able to have a child.”

“What do you mean by ritual?” He questioned me. “It’s an ancient ritual where two gargoyles that are destined to be together share their blood while, ahem, having i*********e. Simply put, I would cut my palm and let it drip into a chalice, then I would make a cut in yours and you would do the same. Then we would drink each other’s blood or have it fed into our veins by iv while having s*x. It sounds disgusting or even nasty, but it is the only way we can truly be one and have a child.” I explained. He looked like he wanted to throw up. “I know this is a lot to take in, but it is our way. There might be a way to disguise the taste of the blood. I don’t know though. Please understand, I don’t want to get your hopes up.” He nodded in understanding. I called my friends that worked in genetics and explained my situation. “So, do you know of anyone that could help Damon and I? Is there even a possibility that we could be genetically compatible? I really don’t want to get our hopes up, so just be realistic. Mariana, my best human friend and a geneticist, said; “I’m not entirely sure, Des. Can you both come to my office on Monday, say around 9:30 am? I wouldn’t trust anyone else for this.” I told her that we would definitely be there.