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

Things to Consider

Raff

Raff watched the first rays of sunlight creep into his bedroom. His nose crinkled as the breeze stirred the curtains and filled the room with the fragrance of salt and rain. The smells of the sea were so much stronger here, but unlike back home, it wasn't unpleasant. It lacked the human element- the stench of decay and rot. 

He still found it hard to breathe. Because it was like being drenched in the purest form of Meribella's scent.

A gentle knock sounded on the door, and he sat up in the bed, pulling up the thick fur blanket to his waist. "Enter."

A small woman entered the room, a large tray in her hands. Her uneven gait rocked the dishes but nothing spilled as she set it on the edge of his bed. She didn't speak as she arranged the silverware and lifted the lid covering a plate of savory sausage, golden eggs, and flaky biscuits.

"This looks wonderful," he said, his voice soft. Something told him she would spook if he were too loud or moved too quickly.

"I hope it pleases you. The meat is venison. One of our hunters took the animal down last night. We do not eat any meat but what we catch in the ocean. Let us know if we need to prepare it differently."

"No, no," he said, "I appreciate the extra effort, but we will be happy to eat like the natives while here."

She jerked her head up, and he caught sight of the strange markings on her cheeks. Eyes so black he could see no pupils stared at him in wonder before dropping back to the tray. "You are a wolf, sir. You should eat as one."

"Wolves will eat fish when it's necessary."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?"

"What is your name?" He didn't know why he asked. Only that he had the distinct impression this woman wasn't usually treated with kindness, and it was one more mark against the selkies. Against the people who'd taken away the woman he loved.

"I am Addien. You are the man who loves our Blessed One? The man she loves in return?"

Raff dropped the biscuit he'd started to lift to his mouth. "You know Meribella?"

"I attended to her when she first arrived on the island. She was very kind to me. No one ever asked me my name before, and she insisted I call her by her name." There was a faint smile on Addien's face, but it vanished before it could reach her eyes. Darkness flooded her expression. "But that was in the beginning."

Food forgotten, Raff leaned forward, grabbing Addien's hand. "What happened?"

"I shouldn't speak of such things. The Harpy Clan is much kinder to me than my previous mistress, but I do not think they would want me gossiping."

"Please," he said, his voice hoarse with anguish.

She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "I told her she had to fit in. It was important to not be seen as different. She had to wear our clothes and accept our customs. She didn't want to. I could see how it bothered her, but then she became ill. For two weeks we feared we would lose her. And in a way, we did."

Raff jumped out of the bed with a curse. Valencia hadn't mentioned Meribella's illness, but it made sense. Her fevered cries in his head took on a new meaning. "Where the hell are my pants?"

Addien dashed out the door and returned with a pile of clothes. She did not blush over his nudity as she handed him the items. "Valencia said to give you these. You are about the same size as her eldest son, and it will go a long way in making people feel at ease if you dress like us."