Selkie & the Beast: Part Two (special preview)

There was a soft melodious sound in the air when Kota woke. He sniffled once and rubbed the tears from his eyes. The song he had fallen asleep to last night had given him dreams of loneliness and heartache. It was not too far fetched since he was now separated from his family by who knows how many miles. He sat up, paying attention to the song as it wafted in through the window.

Next to the bed Kota saw there was a walking cane propped against the frame. He took it and used it to help him get out of the big bed. He wouldn’t be able to go far or fast, but at least he could go somewhere now. He hobbled over to the window, opening up the blinds to see out over the ocean. The song continued to be sung, but Kota could not find its origin.

“You’re awake,” the gravelly voice of Esperance tickled Kota’s ears and made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Kota turned around to see Esperance just on the other side of the doorway. He was still as strange a visage as he was last night. Esperance stooped in the doorway and laid out clothes upon the bed.

“I thought you might get cold.” Esperance kept his head bowed down, his eyes averted from Kota. “Are you hungry yet?”

Kota was still unsure how to approach this. All his life he had relied on his sisters to do that for him. He felt completely naked, and more than just lacking his coat. He made a small grunt and tightened his shoulders up.

“I know you’re frightened.” Esperance laid his hand upon his chest. “I know what you see when you look at me. I am not what I once was.”

Kota tried to swallow, but his throat was terribly dry. He could feel a tickle in the back of his throat, and he knew he was going to cough. He tried to hold onto it and not let it out, but it made his face hot and his eyes water.

Esperance tilted his head to the side. “Is something wrong?”

Kota buckled and started coughing.

“Oh goddess, you’re sick, aren’t you?” Esperance held a look of terror and uncertainty upon his face. “Your sister will want nothing of me if you die!” He lumbered into the room then hesitated. “What if it’s contagious?” he murmured to himself.

Kota continued to gag and cough, shaking his head furiously.

“There, there now!” Esperance said from across the room. “Stay where you are.”

Kota shook his head, still coughing furiously. He stretched out his hand, waving it back and forth.

“Is this the end? Are you trying to say goodbye to me?” Esperance looked so horrified. “Please don’t die! I’m sure your sister will find you any day now, and when she does, I would like to be a successful hero!”

Kota wheezed and managed to find a breath. “No! Water!”

Esperance’s whole body tensed and he raised up. “Water?”

Kota nodded furiously and patted his hand over his throat.

“Oh!” Relief flooded through Esperance and made his whole body relax, even his tail stretched out behind him. “You need water! You’re not dying!” He turned and hurried from the room as quickly as he could. “I’ll be right back!”

Kota huffed and puffed, his throat felt like hot coals, but at least the coughing was starting to diminish. He looked back out the window, trying to breathe in cool, damp air from outside. He then saw something in the water which reminded him of the shadows he saw with Ivet just the day before.

Esperance returned, carrying a huge cup of water. Kota took it, gulping it down in an almost furious panic. He took his first refreshing breath and wiped his soaking mouth.

“I am so glad you aren’t dying,” Esperance sighed with relief, clutching his big hands over his chest. “That would have been so terrible to report.”

Kota licked the corner of his mouth. “Thanks, I guess,” he grumbled.

“You gave me such a fright.” Esperance patted the top of his head. “I do not do well with confrontation.”