Selkie & the Beast: Part Four (special preview)

Kota was knocked breathless by the appearance of his sister. He rushed out, forgetting how hurt his leg was or how hard it was to run on that rocky beach. Esperance’s family made such a racket, that he couldn’t hear Ivet yelling for him as she, too, made her way along the shore. Being wrapped up in her arms again relaxed Kota to such a degree that he could not help but weep in relief.

“I knew I would find you! I just knew it!” Ivet kissed his head and held him so tight, afraid if she let him go, he’d vanish. “Twice I felt you.” She cupped his face between her hands. “When I felt most lost, I suddenly felt you, like you were standing there beside me.” She smiled with relief and joy, taking Kota back into her strong arms. “And here you are!” Her eyes looked up towards the castle. “Whatever here is.”

Kota placed his hands upon her arms. “This is the moon castle.”

“What?” Ivet laughed.

Kota took her hand and pulled her towards the door. “It’s hard to explain! Come inside! I want you to meet someone.” Esperance was not at the door anymore, and when Kota brought Ivet inside, he saw that Esperance was hiding in his nest.

“Have you been here all this time?” Ivet’s eyes examined every inch she could. She studied the hall, the growths on the wall, her eyes became fixated upon the fireplace before she ever realized there was something cowering in the corner.

“Yes, it’s been strange but-” Kota went to the nest. “Esperance, come out. This is Ivet, the one I’ve been telling you about.”

“And you’ve not been alone?” Ivet murmured.

Kota tugged on the blanket Esperance was using to cover himself, but he fought back. “This is Esperance,” Kota struggled. “He saved me.”

Ivet came close. “Then I would very much like to meet him.”

“I thought you wanted to meet her?” Kota spoke low and quiet so only Esperance could hear.

“I do, but-” Esperance couldn’t finish his sentence. All this time he’d wanted to meet Ivet. It had all hinged on meeting her and the two of them falling in love! But now he felt terrified.

“What’s wrong?” Ivet asked.

“He’s shy.” Kota stood back up, glancing nervously towards Esperance’s nest. “It’s a long story.”

Ivet arched a brow and smirked. “Okay.” She placed her hands upon her hips. “What are you wearing? Where’s your coat?”

Kota’s brow furrowed. “You don’t have it?”

Ivet’s complexion went pale and her hands dropped down. “No. You lost it in the storm? Don’t pull my leg!”

“I’m not Nina, I wouldn’t joke about that,” Kota huffed. “I don’t have it. If I did, I would have been able to swim away from here.”

Ivet huffed. “It was hard enough swimming by myself here. But I suppose we’ll figure it out. If you can stay here while we search, it shouldn't be too bad.”

Kota shook his head. “That’s part of the story, there isn’t much time left here.”

With a heavy sigh, Ivet dropped her shoulders. “Then spill it. Leave no stone unturned, Kota.”

Kota took Ivet back to his room; they cuddled up on the bed together and Ivet wrapped them both up in her coat. He told her the story as he knew it. How the moon castle, imbued with magic stolen from the moon, only appeared during the year before the lunar eclipse. Once the eclipse arrived, the castle would sink back down into the sea.