“Lustful longing?” Finn snorts. Then, he shows how right I was when he pulls me to a spot on the back deck in shadow and presses me against the side of the house. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll miss you.” Then, he fuses our mouths together, kissing me with enough heat that I almost forget the call of Lake Galen.
Almost.
He breaks off, panting. “That’s not helping.”
I pat his cheek. “We’ll get better over the years. Besides, you’ll like how I am tomorrow morning.”
In the darkness, I make out the bright flash of his grin.
Selkies always get light-headed, almost drunk, after taking on our finned forms for the first time after a long stretch. WhenI return to my human shape tomorrow, I’ll be overly enthusiastic and handsy, which Finn said he can’t wait to experience.
“Come on then. Let’s get you wet.”
I let him take my hand and guide me toward the shore. Soon, I overtake him, pulling ahead. When the water brushes my toes, a needy shiver rocks my body.
“Here. You give me the robe, and I’ll hand you your skin.”
Glancing behind me, I watch Finn carefully remove a shimmering mass from a bag slung over his shoulder. I shuck off my robe, so we can exchange. Though my selkie pelt begs to wrap around my limbs, I hold off long enough to steal another kiss.
“I love you.” Wet clay slides along my soles as I step farther into the water.
“Be safe. I love you too.” Finn remains rooted to the shore, waiting for me to finish the change and slide beneath the surface.
My human skin is suddenly sensitive, overexposed. I wrap my selkie skin around me, sighing in pleasure with the way the hide melds to my body. My limbs flex into their new shapes, and I allow the water to claim me.
Everything is right again, the inside of my body calming from a clamor built up over days. My mind eases, and I let the current take me.
For a time, I drift, blowing bubbles of acknowledgment to others of my kind who swim by. Some selkies experience a rush of energy, taking on this form, and they spear through the water, coaxing others to play and celebrate the freedom. I tend to drift toward meditative. Which might be why I seem to be the only one who notices when one of ours swims with purpose toward the mouth of the cove.
There is no law stating we must stay in this branch of Lake Galen during our change. But it is understood this is the safestplace for us. I experienced firsthand what can happen when we stray. When I gave in to a desire to explore all those years ago, I ended up in the wrong part of the lake just as Mr. Hammond was speeding by. Lucky that Finn dived in and Owen followed me.
That acceptance of both their important roles in saving my life has me making a decision now. I won’t let this member of my clan travel into the lake alone.
I follow.
The figure ahead of me doesn’t meander. They have a destination. I flick my tail harder to keep up while spreading my awareness darting all around me. Finn was right that knowing about the perpetrator and how he’s off the lake have helped ease some of my worries. But I still get the occasional nightmare.
The selkie disappears up ahead, and I realize they rose to the surface. Following suit, I carefully peek only my eyes above the water.
We’re at a dock, one in a section of the lake not home to any selkie families. As the mythic removes his skin, I realize I’ve been following Calder, the youngest of the MacNamaras. He hauls himself onto the floating platform, approaching a woman. The dark-haired beauty from the party.
A human? Maybe a potential mate he wishes to pursue?
She must be someone special if he would reveal himself in such a way to her.
They embrace, and their actions slide into passionate territory. Just as I’ve accepted Calder is safe enough that I can head back, the woman tilts her head toward the lake. Purple irises glow bright in the dark night.
Not human.
Not selkie.
Another mythic of some kind.
I sink below the water and carefully retrace my path. Calder is not in any danger. Not at the moment anyway.
When it comes to selecting a mate, mythics pair either with one of their own kind or a human. The first is easiest. The second is harder because they need to be introduced to our world, but it’s still widely done with our kind.
But a partnership between two different mythical creatures carries a stigma in our community.
Silently, I wish Calder luck with his pursuit of love. He’ll need it.
Because when mythics mix, that’s how the world gets monsters.
