Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

Stiaka Voru

MERIBELLA

No one approached them as they disembarked the ship. Shapes moved in the water, flippers and whiskers breaking the surface with splashes before dropping back into the inky darkness. Meribella was more interested in the seals than in the group of humans waiting on the rocky shore. They watched with solemn eyes as Caspian led her to them.

He bowed to the fur draped woman in the front, and she nodded at him before turning her hard gaze to Meribella. Dark, hazel eyes examined her, running across Meribella's body as if searching for flaws. Whether or not she approved of what she saw, Meribella couldn't tell from the unchanging expression on her face, but the woman dropped her hood as she stepped forward to embrace her.

"Stiaka voru," she whispered, her breath hot against Meribella's ear. When she pulled back, tears slipped down tan cheeks speckled with darker rings, and a wide smile that looked unnatural on her split her face.

"That's the traditional greeting of the Selkies," Caspian explained, "and this lovely woman is my mother, Nerida."

Meribella was used to the never aging appearance of her mother and grandmother, but seeing a sea of youthful faces before her and knowing most belonged to beings that were centuries old was unnerving. Before, she'd been unique- a rare gem amongst the humans. Now, she felt like rusted iron mixed in with diamonds, her humanity outshining her Fae nature.

"It's lovely to meet you," Meribella said. She took a half step back to dislodge the Nerida's grip on her shoulders. It felt possessive.

Nerida placed a hand over her quivering mouth as she turned to accept her son's hug. Behind her, the others gathered dropped their hoods, revealing an array of features and markings unlike any she'd ever seen. One by one they stepped forward, extending their hands and speaking the same greeting.

"Stiaka voru." The speaker was an older man, which meant he was old indeed if he showed such age. His fur cloak was midnight, but it complimented his ash gray skin. From the way his nose drooped across his face, she suspected his clan before he spoke it. "I am Ekon, of the Elephant Clan. You bless us with your presence."

"Thank you, Ekon."

"Stiaka voru. I am Nixie, matriarch of the Ringed Clan. You bless us with your presence."

"Thank you, Nixie." And on and on it went. Some appeared more human than others, whether through a glamour like the one Caspian adopted on the mainland or their natural appearance, Meribella couldn't be certain, but most sported fearsome canines, pointed ears, and sharp cheekbones. The Baikal clan's representatives- a set of twins from the looks of them- stood under five feet tall with wild brown hair and a yellow streak down the center of their faces.

Meribella was pulling away from them when a hush fell over the crowd and the group parted to make way for a line of women with stark white hair and even paler skin. Unlike the others, they wore no furs despite the frigid temperatures. Their tall, curvy forms were garbed in leather and metal and simple, linen capes fluttered in the breeze as they walked. The leader had a broadsword strapped to her generous hips. But it was the brilliant glow of their turquoise eyes that stole Meribella's breath.

They stopped just in front of Meribella. Unlike Nerida, the woman in front was a riot of emotions as she examined her. They burst across her face, strong and pure, before fading to an afterimage as the next erupted to take its place.

"Stiaka voru," she cried before throwing her arms around Meribella in a crushing embrace. "I am Valencia. Matriarch of the Harpy Clan, and your great, great grandmother."

Meribella relaxed and felt her own arms creeping up until she was returning the hug with equal ferocity. The two woman stood there for a long time, weeping happy tears until Valencia broke away and pressed her hands against Meribella's cheeks.

"The eyes always speak the truth, Daughter of the Stars. You bless us with your presence, and it is clear that Astra has given you the Star Blessing. Today will be a celebration for it has been over a century since a Blessed one has walked the island."

Cheers broke out amongst those gathered on shore, and the shouts were joined by the barking of seals. The members of the Harpy Clan were the loudest, their faces shining in the starlight as they raised spears and swords in the air.

Around her, the selkies on land began to shed their fur cloaks, revealing nude forms before sprinting into the waves. Meribella couldn't tear her eyes away from the sight as they stepped into skins and assumed their animal forms. They must have kept them hidden from view with some kind of magic, and for the first time in the many months since she'd found happiness with Raff, the familiar longing returned. She wanted a skin of her own. She wanted to swim with her kin beneath the arctic waters.

"Oh," she gasped as her eyes lighted on pale forms tangled together in the waves. Still in human skin, they moaned and bit at one another, their fervor on display for everyone to see. She turned away only to feel strong fingers curl around her jaw and pull her eyes back to the sight.

"Do not look away," Caspian insisted. "This is what it means to be Selkie. We embrace our true natures- taking who and what we want when we want it. This is why you and Raff will never work out. You are made for passion- not for half filled desires. You will always be unsatisfied."

Meribella jerked away, her chest heaving as her body tingled. Caspian's barb struck its intended target, but she refused to admit it. "Do not push me on this."

The large, selkie male shrugged, stepping away from her with a sly grin. Maintaining eye contact, he flicked open the top button of his pants and let them drop to the ground. His shirt followed. She didn't give him the satisfaction of looking anywhere but his face. When he reached for her, she moved out of his reach, terrified his touch would elicit unwanted hunger.

"I'm not trying to be cruel," he said. His voice was pleading. "I just want you to be happy."

"You do not join them?" Valencia asked once Caspian dove into the waves with the others. "The water celebrations will go on for many hours, and I see many who admire your form."

Meribella looked up at the Harpy Matriarch. She and the other Harpy women who'd greeted her remained clothed and on land. "I wish Caspian had warned me that celebrating on Selkie Island was synonymous with orgies."

Valencia laughed. "While I won't lie and tell you that much of what you see isn't sexual, we do enjoy one another without actually mating. To be a part of a clan is to swim with your brothers and sisters, exploring them in a dance beneath the waves. It's almost spiritual. Perhaps you are shy because you've only ever swum with a small group of women?"

"Valencia, what has Caspian told everyone about me?"

The turquoise eyes dimmed as the woman paused and appeared to be searching her memories. "Only that you were found swimming off the coast of Maine, and that you had been marked by Astra. We knew your father was human- no selkie would've willingly bred with Kai knowing that she was meant to lead this clan, and seeing you stand before me, I see much of the human influence in you."

Heart thudding, Meribella proceeded with caution. "Did he tell you why Kai never returned?"

"I assumed she loved her human mate too much to leave him."

"No- her skin was stolen, and she never found it. My grandmother was born out of the waters. As was my mother, and myself. We do not have skins. We cannot shift."

Valencia stumbled backwards, her clanswomen catching her before she fell to the ground. All the joy in their eyes was gone, and they looked at her with terror. "Then you are human. What has Caspian done? You should never have come here."