by Shane Morgan
I turned from the mirror and smiled at her. “I understand, and I never want you to choose between Anya and me. She’s your friend.”
“So are you,” she reminded, taking my hand. “Also, I will not tell anyone about you and Lars, or what you saw in the fountain.”
“Thanks.” I looked at our hands. “I did tell Obel, though.”
“How was his reaction?”
I snorted. “Obel seemed to have already known our feelings.”
She nodded slowly.
Stepping away, I returned to the ornate mirror on the wall to apply makeup and then put on the dress.
Ilris marveled at my appearance. The dress was a perfect fit, the silky fabric accentuating my curves.
“You look amazing, Calissa,” she complimented, then teased, “Lars will be the one salivating tonight.”
I giggled and dipped my head shyly.
Coiling her arm around mine, she motioned for us to head out to the celebration.
The courtyard was packed tonight, with citizens of the Gargouille kingdom spilling over onto the clearing. No weapons in tow. Cheerful laughter and beautiful music from harps filled the air.
Absolutely everyone was in their human form. They looked angelic, decked out in all white, from dresses to shirts, pants, and shoes.
They took turns congratulating the teenagers who were becoming guardians.
“But they’re only sixteen,” I muttered to Ilris, watching as mature gargoyles pressed their foreheads to the young ones in a proud way.
She nodded. “Yes, it is young to take on the dangerous role of a guardian. But they are not sent out immediately to the human world to start their duties. It happens over time. The generals decide when and where.”
“Hm.”
I searched the crowd for Lars, spotting him with Sarayas, Ezio, and Luuk. Anya and a friend lingered close by.
My love was as handsome as ever with his velvety black hair sleeked behind his ears, and he wore a dressy white outfit with matching shiny boots.
A desirous shiver coursed through my body, recalling our lovemaking the night before and anticipating the next.
I jerked out of the naughty thoughts when Ilris nudged my arm. “I will go congratulate them.”
“Okay,” I replied after clearing my throat.
I watched as she stepped up to the first teen guardian, smiling with him as they pressed foreheads.
Glancing across to Lars again, I felt a sweet flutter in my heart and needed to be close to him. So, I decided to walk over and act normal, like in the beginning, when I first came to the kingdom.
Ezio was in the middle of telling jokes. Lars’s laughter settled when he saw me approach. A knowing look shone in his soul-snatching grey eyes as they desirously traveled over my appearance.
“There you are,” Sarayas cheered. We hadn’t spoken since the day before. “Perhaps tonight you can apply to be a guardian, huh?”
“Very funny,” I smirked, then in a lower tone, muttered, “Sarayas, I’m sorry about…”
She waved it off. “I am also sorry. We were both in our emotions.” She flashed a sincere smile.
I offered one in return, then flicked to Lars, unable to keep from feeling warm under his intense staring.
“You are impeccably…” He seemed to be at a loss for words. He made to bite on his bottom lip but caught himself as he remembered his brother.
Luuk crumpled his brows while passing a glance between us.
Lars harrumphed and composed himself.
Twisting to me, Luuk said with a smile, “Consider yourself fortunate, Calissa. Not a single human as ever witnessed this celebration before.”
“And they should not,” Anya said harshly. Her friend chuckled. “Why are you at this event? You do not understand the significance, nor do you care about our ways.” The mean look on her face made my stomach churn.
Let’s finish what you started, I screamed in my head.
“Calissa wants to learn,” Lars defended me. “There is no wrong in that.”
Everyone squinted at him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have done that.
Anya’s gaze darkened as she glared at me.
A bell sounded, breaking up the suddenly tensed air. The harps stopped, and so did all the talking.
I peered around in confusion as everyone started heading in the direction of the stone path.
Lars lingered behind to walk with me, but I shook my head, indicating he shouldn’t.
He frowned, then fell in step with his friends.
Ilris found me in the crowd and held my hand. “It begins now.” She towed me along with the rest.
We walked until reaching the lower part of the land where the old building with the sacred fountain stood.
Many remained outside, and I assumed it was because the structure could not contain everyone.
I felt I should hang back, but Ilris urged me inside with her.
Upon entering the well-lit edifice, I noticed the teen guardians were already there and in a line.
Obel was on the other side of the fountain, along with King Deo, Queen Vaira, and members of the council.
Seeing this place after that short throwdown with Anya brought on a slight smirk.
I spotted Lars, standing next to older guardians.
Should I tell him I saw his face in the water? That the fountain showed him as my future?
Would he be upset that I sought clarification instead of trusted our feelings?
All eyes focused toward the front of the cathedral-like building, where Obel had stepped closer to the fountain. He touched the engravings and waved his hand over the water, then filled a jar.
One by one, young guardians drank from the jar and spoke words I could not understand. I glanced at Ilris out of the corner of my eye, thinking she’d explain. But she remained quiet with everyone else, pride plastered on their faces.
When the last teen finished the rest of the water in the jar, cheers erupted in the room. I clapped along, having a sense of understanding and genuine excitement over what took place.
In my time in this magical kingdom, I had come to see how magnificent Gargoyles were. Their bond was enviable. Like a family, they did everything together in brotherhood and sisterhood. No matter if they were planting flowers and food, or sparring roughly and guarding humans.
Returning to the courtyard, everyone remained behind as the teen guardians individually went inside the building that contained the sacred pool.
The music started again, along with the serving of drinks and food. Each time a teen emerged in their gargoyle form carrying their new weapon, everyone would cheer.
“Well, this is quite interesting,” I chortled, sipping red wine with Ezio and Sarayas.
Ilris had left my side to join Luuk and the king and queen. Anya made sure she didn’t come back to me.
“There is more in store,” Ezio informed. “And you will enjoy it. Lars told me you like to dance.”
Heat rose beneath my skin, and I shyly touched my neck. Oh, right, he was watching me that night at Club Tease. Wait… “Lars talks to you about me?”
Ezio snorted and swigged the rest of his wine. “He requires a friend to confide in. I know how he is struggling.”
“Shh,” Sarayas hushed him and made sure no one was in earshot. “No more wine for you.”
He waved her off.
I winced as loud drums began to pound, emitting music that sounded tribal and meaningful.
The gargoyles playing harps put their instruments aside to dance along as the tempo rose in the courtyard.
Everyone swayed in a way I had never seen before, entranced by the rhythm of the drums.
“Come, Sarayas,” Ezio said, taking her hand. They moved to where everyone else was dancing.
I stood there alone, amazed by what was happening before my eyes.
Even the king and queen swayed beautifully with one another. Luuk and Ilris were so close they appeared glued, smiling as their bodies moved together.
Sending a message to him with my eyes, I finished my wine and left the courtyard while everyone was distracted, heading toward the room. The full moon filled the darkness, so I reconsidered turning on the light orb.
Lars flew in through the opening several minutes later. He walked over, shifting into his human side along the way.
“Would you have liked to dance with me in the courtyard?” he asked, lightly caressing my arm.
I shuddered from his touch. “It’s fine. I’ll dance with you wherever.”
“But you hate it, don’t you?” He heaved a rough sigh. “I hate it, too. Hiding.”
“Lars, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. I don’t want you to have to leave your home because of me. This place is incredible, and I’m beyond happy you brought me here and that I get to stay with you. So, if we have to keep our love a secret, then it’s all right.”
His grey eyes gleamed as he searched my face. “When we entered the room with the sacred fountain, you did not appear amazed. Have you been there already?”
“Oh.” I gulped. “Yes. Um, I went with Ilris earlier today and…” I won’t tell him about the stupid fight with Anya.
“You looked into the water,” he finished.
I nodded and asked in a flirty whisper, “Do you want to know who I saw?”
Lars wrapped his arms around me and drew me closer to him. “I already know the answer, my sweet Calissa. You are looking at him now.”
A soft giggle escaped, and I carried my hands up his firm back tenderly.
He blew out a long exhale and shook his head. “Tomorrow, I will seek an audience with our leaders and the council.”
I gasped. “What are you saying?”
“No more hiding. I will declare my love for you, and fight for us to be together. It has to be done…because…” He hesitated to finish. Perhaps he was speechless due to his emotions.
Before he could continue, I planted my lips on his, kissing him fiercely.
Lars growled at my mouth, hot breath triggering shudders as he told me, “I hungered for you all day and throughout the celebration. Do not let me suffer another moment.”
“Then take me,” I groaned.
The sounds of distant drums created a sexy soundtrack as we stripped out of our clothes while scurrying to the bed.
Collapsing into it, we tangled in the sheets, resumed kissing, and Lars didn’t waste a second to fill me with sweet pleasure, showing me just how much he loved and needed me.
21
Butterflies flooded my stomach, and an uncontainable smile reached my lips when I woke and saw Lars watching me in his gargoyle form. He no longer startled me.
“You were dreaming,” he said, adding with a soft chuckle, “and you were snoring.”
I snorted and sat up in the large bed, stretching my hands over my head.
Lars straightened. He pulled my arms around his neck and shifted to his human side.
“You don’t have to change.” I kissed him once and whispered, “I’m not uneasy.”
“I know.” He lowered his hands to my hips. “But I want to make love again. I cannot get enough.”
“Oh.” I giggled shyly. “All right then.”
A flirty expression veiled his features, one I’d seen quite often now that we’d deepened our connection. Lars leaned me back down and pulled the sheet over our heads, treating me to passionate kisses.
We stopped abruptly when someone knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for a response.
Lars threw off the sheet in time to see Anya enter with a plate of fruits. Most likely for him.
She gasped at the sight of us and dropped the plate to the ground. Her eyes were wide with horror. “What have you done?”
“Allow me to explain,” Lars began, switching into a gargoyle. He reached for a towel and wrapped it around him then got off the bed. “I never expected that I’d give my heart to Calissa. But I can no longer fight what is between us.”
Her eyes burned with anger. “How could you have taken this filth?” I almost expected her to leap onto the bed and claw me to death. Actually, a part of me hoped she’d try so I could pummel her.
“Stop it, Anya!” Lars chided. “You will not speak of my Calissa in such a way.” The rumble in his voice made both me and Anya wince.
Her jaw dropped. “My...Calissa?” She glared at me, seething. “Cruel human. Do you know what you’ve done? He can never be apart from you. He’s tied himself to you forever! You’ve ruined him!”
Tears streamed down her pale face. I was confused by her words.
“No. You are wrong. Calissa brings me happiness,” Lars retorted boldly. He looked at me then. “I love you. I will not let you go.”
My heart raced.
Anya’s voice cracked as she spoke again. “Love? How can you love her but not me, your own kind? She cannot give you gargoyle offspring. Lars, she will never understand our ways. She can never be with you as you are!”
“I am willing to be with Calissa in any way possible,” he countered. “For as long as she wishes.”
“You…do not deserve him.” Looking at me with disgust, Anya grunted, “You cannot have him! Our leaders will not stand for this.”
“Anya!” Lars called after her as she turned and stormed out the door.
An onslaught of emotions washed over me. What did that mean for us?
Shoulders sagging, Lars turned back to me and reached for my hand, helping me off the bed. We quickly dressed.
“We were fooling ourselves,” I told him, although it hurt to say. “All I’ve heard since arriving here is what is allowed and what’s forbidden. Lars, you’ll be shunned like my father.”
He grazed my cheek and drew me into his arms. “I cannot stop my feelings, Calissa. And I do not want to.”
“Lars.”
“There is no ending this,” he said, looking down. “I should have told you…”
Banging on the door interrupted him.
Panic bloomed in me.
I wondered if Anya had sent guards to apprehend me already. I learned from Ilris that her father was a member of the council, and she had power in their kingdom.
Lars released me and went to open the door. A guard ordered, “To the great hall.”
When my love peered across at me, for the first time since he came into my life, I saw fear in his grey eyes. But it was fear of losing me.
“Have you gone mad?” King Deo shouted. His voice exploded inside the vast hall and ripped away every shred of courage I’d carried in there with me.
Lars squeezed my hand, remaining adamant. “I won’t give up my love.”
“The demon offspring has corrupted him,” Anya sobbed. Her father tried to console her. Her mother glared at me.
King Deo walked closer to us. He scrunched up his face as he stared at our interlocked hands.
Pointing at me, he said, “Hasn’t the story of your mother and father taught you anything? You mean for my son to fall down the same tragic path?”
“How selfish of you,” Queen Vaira added. “You know our ways. This is forbidden. Perhaps your heart is truly dark.”
“No.” I wobbled my head, though I wasn’t quite sure. “My heart isn’t dark. It has fallen for your son.” I gestured to our hands and asked, “Why is it so hard for you to accept this?”
“Because you cannot grow our kingdom,” Queen Vaira responded, voice stern. “If we allowed such a union, gargoyles would no longer exist.”
Frustrated, I shifted from one leg to the other. “Seriously, have you guys ever heard of dating? We’re not saying we’re ready to have children. Geez, our relationship just started.”
King Deo sputtered, “You foolish girl!” He huffed and pointed at Lars. “You haven
’t even made things clear to her.”
“What’s he talking about?” I asked Lars, puzzled.
He sighed intensely. “I’m sorry, Calissa. I allowed my emotions to control me and haven’t told you the whole truth. I assumed you understood.”
“Understood what?” I pressed, growing impatient.
“The moment he took you,” Queen Vaira interjected, “he tied himself to you forever! There’s no dating. You must go through with the ceremony and seal your union, or he will turn to stone and wither away. Or…you will have to die.”
My jaw dropped.
I snapped my head around to Lars. “Is that true?”
He nodded once. “I thought since we both felt the same, then it would be fine.” He reached for my face.
“What?” I pulled away from him. “How could you not tell me that before we… Lars that is incredibly serious and a need-to-know at the beginning of a relationship.”
He crumpled his forehead. “But does it matter? You want to be with me, do you not? We love each other.”
I ruffled my curls. “Yes, but…”
Anya laughed sarcastically. “But she never planned on spending eternity with a gargoyle. Lars, look at what you’ve done. How could you make such a foolish mistake?”
Lars staggered away from me and muttered, “You do not wish to be with me forever?”
“Perhaps allow Calissa some time to absorb all this,” Ilris suggested, coming to my side. “This is quite a lot for her. I’m partly to blame as well. I should have told her.”
“Ilris, you knew about them?” Luuk uttered in surprise.
“Ah, well…” She twisted her lips innocently. “It wasn’t difficult to see.”
Arguing ensued.
I couldn’t possibly let Lars die because he couldn’t be with me. The ceremony was pretty much like a wedding, though. Was I ready for something that serious so soon?
My father must have performed the same thing after leaving, so he could stay with my mother. Do I have it in me to do whatever it takes for love?
Overwhelmed, I glanced at Lars. He looked hurt. Hopeless. My heart ached to see him like that. I wanted to be with him.
