Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Lyra tried to stamp down the irrational jealousy that was making her face flush.
Selkies were all beautiful, like sirens were, because it made them better predators.
Selkies had a more unfortunate history with men than sirens did—sirens committed more manslaughter, and, unfortunately, the selkies’ weakness with their pelts was well documented.
All it took was for a human to grab their discarded fur when they shifted, and a selkie wouldn’t be able to change back. Over the years, most selkies had taken to wearing their own pelts as tunics instead of leaving them lying about when they wished to walk on two legs.
Still, Theo looked awestruck when he saw the selkie shift, and Lyra was surprised by how much it annoyed her.
You have no business getting involved with a fae prince. One whom you are going to have to betray. Don’t ever fucking forget it.
Lyra’s heart sank to her stomach, making her feel heavy and even more uncomfortable than when she was dealing with jealousy.
She was growing increasingly uneasy about her plan, but from where she stood, she had no choice.
It was her sister or Theo… and no amount of gold would make her abandon her family.
Mermaids had precious few ties to others and fiercely protected the ones they had, whether or not gold was involved.
Still, every minute she spent with Theo affirmed that it was a decision she would regret for the rest of her life, no matter how short it was.
You don't know what Cliodhna wants with him. She might not kill him outright. She might keep him prisoner for a while, amuse herself with thoughts of revenge…
Lyra tried to comfort herself by pretending that Cliodhna wasn’t as bloodthirsty as the succubuses, but it didn’t work well.
“Do you need to introduce me?” Theo whispered, jolting Lyra from her thoughts. She nodded, indicating that Theo should wait in the bushes until she had a moment to explain herself to the selkie. Theo nodded obediently, and Lyra’s heart squeezed.
So eager to please.
Lyra stepped onto the shore, and the sound of her footsteps on the rocky beach caught the selkie’s attention. Her head snapped to attention, and she seemed poised to shift and flee until she registered Lyra’s presence.
“Ah, Lyra.” The selkie smiled, her teeth as sharp as a mermaid’s. “It’s not often that we see you this far inland. To what do we owe the surprise?”
“Browen.” Lyra dipped her head in a rare show of deference and respect to someone else. “I could actually use your help with something.”
Browen paused, her head tilting as she studied Lyra. She sniffed at the air in a rather animalistic gesture before her smile widened.
“Does it have anything to do with the good-smelling fae male you’re hiding in the bushes?” Browen shimmied back and forth, her eyes lighting up.
“Don’t get any ideas.” Lyra fought to keep her voice even, desperately trying not to betray how upsetting she found the idea of Browen and Theo together. “Besides, I thought selkies were generally avoidant of men.”
Browen shrugged. “The ones who try to steal our skin to hold us as captive wives, yes. The pretty ones who care about consent, we adore those.” Browen was already batting her eyelashes, and Lyra’s claws snapped out from her fingertips before she could control them.
“Theo,” Lyra raised her voice, trying to sound disinterested, “you can come out now.” Lyra narrowed her eyes at Browen, who was already regarding Lyra’s claws with interest. Lyra shook her head once, indicating that Browen didn’t need to bring it up.
“Oh, hello, uh, ma’am.” Theo emerged from the shoreline, looking far too eager and smiling like an excited schoolboy. He offered his hand out towards Browen.
“Lyra called you Browen, is that correct? It’s a beautiful name.”
Browen flushed and started batting her eyelashes double time. Lyra fought the urge to gag audibly as Browen’s lips dropped into a perfect pout and she accepted Theo’s handshake.
“My, my, you look as good as you smell. What’s your name, pretty fae?”
Theo’s eyes went wide, and he looked almost panicked. He glanced over at Lyra, presumably for reassurance, and the fact that he looked to her for answers settled something in her chest.
“It’s not like with the fae,” Lyra reminded him softly. “You can tell her your name. It won’t give her power over you.”
“I will try to get it in other ways, though, darling,” Browen cooed, adjusting her tunic and flipping her long, opaque hair over her shoulder.
Theo laughed awkwardly, shuffling his weight between his feet.
“Um, yes, it’s Theo. I’m Theo. Theo is my name.”
Lyra took far too much joy out of the fact that he looked as uncomfortable with Browen’s flirting as she was.
“Ease up on the seduction, Browen.” Lyra kept her voice stoic. “We were curious if you knew anything about the Blue Men.”
Browen’s face contorted into a serious expression, both of her eyebrows flying up in surprise.
“What do you need to know about them for?” The hesitation in her voice was clear, but Lyra pushed her.
“I’m not in a position to disclose any of that right now. Do you know the best way to summon them once you’re in their waters?” Lyra pressed again.
Browen’s hands went to her hips, and her voice hardened. “This doesn’t have anything to do with Cliodhna’s demands for a fae prince and Nessie’s message about extending favor towards one, does it?” It was clear from Browen's tone that she knew exactly what Lyra and Theo were about.
Lyra’s fangs elongated to match her claws, and her muscles tensed. Without even thinking about it consciously, she was ready for a fight if Browen was about to prove herself an adversary.
“Lyra, she just asked a question.” Theo stood closer to Lyra, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder and trying to keep the peace. It was an admirable—but stupid—trait.
“Yeah, Lyra, it’s just a question,” Browen parroted back with a little more disdain in her tone.
Lyra knew she was being goaded, but she didn’t care.
“If you’re going to fight me for him, best do it now.” Lyra stepped towards Browen and shoved Theo behind her, who grunted in frustration but didn’t protest. There was a tense moment of silence as both women sized each other up, but eventually, Browen bowed her head slightly.
“I don’t mean Theo any harm. Or you, unless you come at me first.” The selkie’s attitude had shifted towards indifference.
“The selkies are aligned with Calum’s authority, not Cliodhna’s.
If you’re traveling with his blessing, then I won’t stand in your way.
” Lyra heard Theo let out a heavy breath, and she relaxed slightly as Browen continued.
“I don’t know, however, how to summon the Blue Men. You’d know more than me anyway. You’re more partial to the coast and seawater than I am. I’m preferential to the rivers.”
Lyra nodded in understanding. Both selkies and sirens occupied the seas surrounding Scotland and the inland waterways. It came down to personal preference where any individual chose to live, but it evoked strong opinions in each person.
“I understand,” Lyra agreed, “but selkies tend to be a bit more social and communicative than we are. I was guessing that you might have heard something or even spoken to them yourself.”
Browen visibly shuddered. “I would avoid the Blue Men at all costs. They’re a ghastly lot.”
“Well, being stuck in the water ever since you fell from heaven would obviously put a damper on anyone’s mood," Lyra supplied. “We’ll have to keep moving towards Minch and hope we find someone else who might have advice for us on the way.”
“I thought we knew the Blue Men would help?” Theo interjected, his face drawn up in confusion.
“It’s a good bet to try and talk to them since they do have an intrinsic understanding of curses, especially ones involving gods. But Browen is right, they can get rather nasty. We should keep asking allies as we travel if they have any advice.”
Lyra’s chest was hollow as she watched Theo’s face flicker with something like hopelessness before he settled into a perfect, pleasant, neutral mask.
Lyra didn’t like it. He was far too pleasant and polite for someone who was constantly under a threat from a goddess.
He rolled with the punches far too easily.
From Lyra’s experience, anyone who was handling life that easily was burying everything deep down.
You're one to talk about secrets. Lyra's thoughts hijacked her observation of Theo. She was prepared to die by violating Calum’s bargain if it meant turning in Theo and getting her sister back. She only hoped someone would eventually be able to get Theo safely back to Calum.
Browen cleared her throat, getting their attention. “I wish I had something else to help you, but clearly, I don’t. If you see more of my kind, they should help you on your journey, but there may be one or two who have gone rogue.”
Lyra stiffened at the warning. “We’ll be careful.”