Folie à Deux: When Split Realities Collide

By Monique Kemper DeSalvo

Introduction

“Folie à deux.” The phrase echoes through our shared existence, a bridge between the mundane and the extraordinary. Luke DeSalvo, my husband, and I have danced upon this ethereal tightrope, our minds interwoven like threads in a tapestry.

The Veil Between Worlds

Imagine Lumahai beach, a beach on the island of Kauai. The sun’s last breath painting the waves. I ran, heart pounding, seeking answers. And then, as if scripted by fate, Raven appeared. Appearing as a raven, he was not just any bird of prey, but a creature straddling the realm, morphing into a vampire. 

His stark white fangs promised secrets. Italian features, tall and brooding, draped in black clothes, he became my muse. Together, we raced along the shore, fueled by shared visions. Axelgard, his kingdom, materialized—a place where humans and vampires fought side by side against his enemy, the Zenian forces.

Raven: Our Enigmatic Muse

Charming, alluring, and reckless are all of Raven’s qualities. He fights for justice, guided by spiritual laws. His love life intertwines with Andrea, another character born of our shared visions. Their passion ignites Axelgard, and their choices ripple through my novel.

But it’s the women who I can truly relate to and find most fascinating. Catia, calm and steady, she is a skilled priestess and archer. Andrea, the future queen of Axelgard and adventurer, she is curious about the life of humans and vampires alike. And Izabella, the former queen of Axelgard and widow of the once reigning King Riveth, is a queen alpha chick bee—and Luke’s favorite. I strive to embody her decisive nature and strength.

Interviews Across Realities

Now, picture this: Luke DeSalvo, author and bipolar schizoaffective dreamer, conversing with with characters. These characters have surfaced through me, and reveal themselves through my bipolar schizoaffective disorder. His voice is a bridge between worlds.

• Catia: “Luke, you’ve known me in your quiet moments. The stillness of dawn, when dew clings to petals. I am your serenity, your refuge.”

• Andrea: “Ah, Luke! Adventure courses through your veins. You’ve ridden storms, tasted salt on the wind. I am your wild spirit, your compass.”

• Izabella: “Luke, my favorite. Decisiveness is your gift. You’ve danced with shadows, embraced light. I am your queen, your unyielding resolve.”

• There are more characters as well. Coming from future works.

Dream-Like Landscapes

And so, “Royal Blood” blooms from these dreamscapes. Each word, each scene, a brushstroke on the canvas of our shared psyche. As Luke and I traverse this liminal space, we craft characters who breathe, bleed, and love.

Dear reader, welcome to our folie à deux. Here, reality and imagination merge, birthing worlds where vampires soar and decisive heroines rewrite fate.

P.S. Luke, your presence in this shared journey is etched into every line. 

Thank you Luke for paving the way to voice my personal experiences and express this side of myself.

Footnotes:

: Folie à deux: A psychiatric term describing shared delusions or hallucinations between two people. : Royal Blood: The novel inspired by Monique Kemper DeSalvo’s experiences and visions.