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The storm blew without warning, leaving chaos in its wake.
One minute the isle was peaceful, colored with warm shades of orange, pink, and red as the sun sank lower in the sky, the next the moon rose, and with it so did the tide.
The warm hues melting and molding together mixed violently as they became colder; blues and grays forcing themselves into the mix. They battled together becoming almost violet in a stalemate before the losing side was overcome and the dark blacks and grays of the storm and the night won out, blanketing the isle in a dreary scheme.
The peaceful lull of the birds and low hums of the town's folk were replaced by loud wails of the wind and crashing of the tides. The wind shook the foundations of the houses and whipped the faces of anyone who dared brave it. The smell of food as people began making their suppers was quickly overwritten by the smell of salt as the sea spat onto the village no matter the distance.
It raged all night; but by the time morning came it was gone.
By the time the sun came up, you were also up.
"Dear, if you keep hanging out the window like that you'll get yourself hurt." Your grandma softly chided as she plated out some porridge.
You turned and smiled at her.
"I'm aware granny but I just love the smell of the air after a storm," You turned your head back out the window and took a breath. "It smells like new beginnings."
Granny chuckled at this.
"Well, you can breathe in as much air as you want as soon as Caleb gets up." She placed three bowls down on the little wooden table. "You can both see how much damage the village has taken."
You groaned and headed to the table.
"As soon as Caleb gets up? So you mean noon." You grumbled as you quickly began scooping the warm meal into your mouth.
"That wasn't very nice, right granny?" A voice from behind you sounds and you almost choke on your food from shock.
"Good morning Caleb dear." Granny greets as he comes over and kisses her on the cheek.
"Morning granny," He greets before turning to face you with eyes full of mirth. "Doesn't granny always tell you to not eat so quickly or you'll choke?"
Making sure your mouth is empty before replying you glare playfully at him.
"I wasn't eating too fast. I was simply shocked you got up yourself without me having to splash cold seawater over your head again."
Caleb slightly grimaced at the memory before chuckling.
"Well, today I have to be a good citizen and make sure the town isn't in shambles after last night."
He smiled devilishly and then grabbed his bowl of porridge to take outside.
You raised your brow as he left the house.
"Where's he going?"
"Probably to check that the stable is still standing." Granny supplied.
"We haven't had a horse in ages though so what does it matter if it's destroyed?"
Granny chuckled.
"You never know."
Shrugging you continue your meal. Granny has always been like this. Hitting out with slightly ominous lines and then completely moving on in the next second. It was simply her thing.
It was silent between you and granny so you took the time to finish breakfast. Once that mission was complete you stood up from the table.
"I'm gonna go get ready to head out now granny."
Granny smiled.
"Just be careful now dear."
"I will besides the storms over, nothing particularly dangerous is out there now."
"That's not quite true dearie. That storm last night, did you hear it?"
You paused in contemplation.
"It was quite hard to miss granny, the wind was howling all night."
Granny placed her spoon down and looked at you. It was the most serious you've seen her look in a while.
"That's not the only thing that was howling last night dearie, I reckon that storm brought along with it some of the fair folk."
Fair folk. In other words the fae.
Everyone on the island has at one point or another been warned about the spirits that walk among you. However, as you get older it seems more like stories to tell to children so that they behave rather than fact. But granny has always seemed to believe in them. Taking special care to warn you and Caleb about the more watery ones since the sea is next door.
You can't say you particularly believe in them, but for granny's sake, you remain vigilant anyway. Even going as far as wearing the silver earrings granny gave you for your birthday one year; for protection.
You sigh under your breath.
"I'll take extra care to not run into any Kelpies then."
"Shouldn't it be the Each-Uisge you have to worry about?" Caleb's voice booms as he once again enters the house.
You turn to face him with hands on your hips.
"Just because they can turn into handsome men doesn't mean I'm more likely to fall prey to them. Besides I might be just as seduced by a strong-looking steed to take for our empty stable or be drawn to help a young woman crying by the shore."
Caleb's face contorted into confusion.
"Kelpies can turn into women? I thought it was only Selkies?" He looked over to Granny as she sighed helplessly.
"Wow Caleb you didn't pay attention to granny's lectures did you?" You giggled as he looked panicked, having exposed he was not listening to Granny's warning.
"Kelpies can appear as steeds or women. Each-Uisges can appear as men or steeds. Selkies can appear as mostly women or seals but can also appear as men, although the selkies have more reason to fear us than we do them." Granny patiently explained.
"Kelpies and Each-Uisge's can also appear as genderless and hide under the water to drag you in too, isn't that right granny?" You said while shooting Caleb a massive grin.
"That's right dear." At granny's response, Caleb gave you a look that could only be interpreted as 'teacher's pet'.
Despite how rough the storm was the previous night, the town thankfully did not seem that affected. A few things here and there were toppled over but the village seemed pretty much untouched if the quiet buzz of the townsfolk was anything to go by.
You and Caleb were leisurely walking through town, casually asking around if anyone required any assistance, to which you were met with appreciation and some easy tasks.
Caleb went off to fix some roofs that were slightly damaged from the harsh winds while you were tasked by one of the old fishermen to check if his little fishing boat away from the docks was okay.
The fishermen do have their main fishing boats at the docks but some of them like to go off by themselves for leisure when the tides are calm, and they keep those boats littered along the shore.
You have to say you were not hopeful that the little boat was intact if it wasn't already swept away by the cruel waves early in the morning.
The shore itself was slippery. You had to be extra careful to not fall as the stones beneath your feet gave no grip. The afternoon sun brought out the best of the stones. As they were still wet from the seas the sun gave them a glistening shine that lit up the shore and made even the murky gray of the water seem brighter. The smell of salt littered the air and filled your lungs was a cool, sweet breeze.
You smiled as you trekked on, keeping an eye out for the little boat on the shore.
To your surprise, however, it was not a little boat you came across, but a man.
The man was fairly tall and had dark hair that looked like it shone a purplish hue in the light. You concluded that you had never seen this man before and hesitated before walking closer.
Hearing you approach the man turned to you and waved with a smile.
Granny always drilled stranger danger into you, so you knew approaching someone you didn't know wasn't a great idea, but there was something about him that made you feel drawn to him. Before you knew it you were standing in front of the man.
From up close you could see he was quite good looking and his eyes were a dark blue with a fiery pink mixed in. You could also notice sand in his hair.
"Hello," the man's melodious voice flowed out. It was rich but not too deep and easy on the ears like a siren's song. Realizing it is rude to stare you answered back.
"Hello."
You had many questions for this mysterious man but had no clue where to even start. Luckily for you, he decided where to begin.
"What's your name?"
You opened your mouth to respond automatically, but just before you could granny's warnings blared in your mind.
You should never give a stranger your name, they could be fair folk. Giving your name to a fae means they hold power over you, and that is something they rarely use for good.
Quickly changing gears a fake name pops into your head and the mysterious man nods in approval.
"I see," he says in approval after trying out the name a few times. You watch him as he does this searching for any signs something might be wrong, but he simply smiles.
"And your name?" You ask the stranger.
"Rafayel," He replies with a hand held out for you to shake.
"That sounds foreign, are you from afar?" You ask, avoiding his hand. It might seem rude but if he was a water spirit you would not be able to escape once you touched him, lest you cut off your hand. Being safe was always better than being sorry you thought.
Luckily Rafayel just chuckled and retracted his hand, not seeming offended by your manners.
"Yes, very far." He nodded and smiled playfully casually, placing a hand on his hip.
You got the impression he was a carefree guy.
"When did you arrive?" You probed.
He raised a brow in amusement, perhaps catching on to how you were interrogating him.
"Recently, and I'm looking for a place to stay if you know any?" He replied somewhat cocky.
You contemplated for a minute. Rafayel was suspicious. Not only did he randomly appear by the shore, but the first question he asked was your name, and he had sand in his hair which was typical for water spirits when they shift to humans. If he really was a fae and you weren't just going crazy because of one too many of Granny's stories then there were two options. Selkie or Each-Uisge.
The ideal scenario if he isn't human would be a selkie. They usually come to the surface for curiosity's sake more than anything, however, they typically avoid humans and do not approach them. The worst-case scenario would be Each-Uisge. Much like kelpies their main goal is to lead people to a watery grave. However, being so close to the water a touch wouldn't even be needed in this case as he can just beckon the waves to swallow you where you stand.
So what is he?
The saying goes, curiosity killed the cat.
But another part of you replied satisfaction brought it back.
"We have an empty stable near our house, it's not much but it's a shelter." You offered with a mischievous glint in your eyes. If he did turn out to be a Each-Uisge the stable would be perfect for him.
Rafayel seemed pleased with your offer and chuckled.
"Much obliged."
Explaining to Granny and Caleb that night that you invited a stranger to live in the stable was not an easy conversation. You made up some lie about how he is a foreign traveler but got caught up in the storm and washed ashore here. Granny and Caleb were still reluctant but eventually gave in after a few hours of convincing. As long as you promised to keep a distance from him, which you agreed to.
Therefore for the next few days, you only saw Rafayel when delivering meals to him. Granny said that even if he was a fae offering them food never hurts, and if he's human he'll starve if they don't feed him. Since it was you who offered him the stable you were in charge of meal delivery.
You didn't talk to him much, only offering a few words of greeting when you saw him and he replied with the same. Sometimes he wouldn't even be in the stable so you'd just leave his meals in there for when he returned.
You wondered where he went off to during there's times but never found it in you to pry.
A few days later, you found out.
You and Caleb were once again helping some of the other villagers with their tasks but the sun was especially harsh that day causing your brow and most other parts of your body to sweat profusely.
"Need a break?" Caleb huffed while carrying some tools for the farmers.
"You should take one too." You nodded at him. He grunted in reply as he placed the tools more firmly on his shoulders.
"I'll go as soon as I drop them off, you go cool off at the shore or something first."
Not seeing any point in arguing with him as he already started walking away you just sighted and headed off to the shore.
The gentle breeze there was nice, and you enjoyed looking at the sea as you absentmindedly traveled along the sea line. You were peacefully enjoying the view and the silence when you noticed a figure crouched down on the rocks up ahead. You squint your eyes and hold a hand up to block the sun as you try to figure out who it is.
Your eyes widened slightly. It was Rafayel.
Putting on a light jog as the stones were dry today you quickly caught up to where he was sitting with his knees up to his chest.
As he heard you approach he turned his head towards you and lazily smiled, softly calling out the fake name you gave him.
When you arrived you were sweating again from the harsh rays of the sun, to which he handed you a piece of cloth he had on him.
"Thanks," you responded as you wiped your face.
You looked at him only to find him staring at you already with an observant look in his eye.
"Hard at work or hardly working?" He cracked when he realized you caught him staring. Not wanting to call him out and make it awkward you pocketed the cloth and smiled at him.
"I was just taking a break from work, what about you? Admiring the view?"
A blank look makes its way onto his face as he turns to face the sea.
"You could say that."
He seems to be contemplating something as he peers deep into the murky waters. You don't know why, but you felt the need to break him out of it.
"Would you like to join me around town and help out the townspeople?" You don't know what compelled you to ask that, you still have no clue who or what Rafayel is. It could be dangerous. Yet at this very moment, your gut is telling you that offering is the right choice.
Rafayel's head whips around in shock. He studies you for a second, trying to decide if you did say that to him. He has known since you first met that you've been weary of him yet you're asking him to join you to the village.
He knows he's been staring too long when your fingers start to tremble, the way they usually do when you try to start a conversation with him in the stable but you don't know where to start. So once again he starts it.
"I would love to." He smiled blindingly.
You're not sure who Rafayel is just yet, but you somehow know that smile was the most honest he's been thus far.
For the next few hours, you took Rafayel around the village and introduced him to several different people. The whole time he was very easygoing and friendly causing him to be a hit with everyone. He even helped you and Caleb with your chores, making him an even bigger hit with the older women in town. To which Caleb jokingly declared him as his rival for the grannies' affections.
By the time the sun was setting Rafayel seemed to be in a good mood and so were you. Thinking you should reward him after working so hard all day you turned to him.
"Follow me, I've got one last place to show you." You beckoned him and with a twinkle in his eye, he followed you.
The place you led him to was further into the island than the village. It was a small glen, covered with wildflowers and trees and on one side if you climbed up the hill, there was a beautiful wide field of flowers.
This was your favorite place on the isle so while you were practically running to get to it, Rafayel followed behind casually watching you in amusement as you bubbled with excitement.
When you finally stepped foot onto the open field you turned around with your arms spread while presenting it to Rafayel.
"We're here!"
Rafayel observed the surroundings for a moment. As the sun was settling it wasn't as warm as it was earlier but that was a good thing as it was now cooler yet still warm. The colors of the sunset painted the field full of buttercups and daisies hugging them with a warm glow, and in the middle of it all was you. The glow from the sun meant you were practically shining. Hair blowing softly in the wind and a toothy grin out on display for the world to see.
No.
For him to see.
He sucked out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"It's beautiful."
Your eyes lit up even more.
"Isn't it just!" You exclaimed as you ran to the middle of the field and lay down facing the sky.
You heard Rafayel's footsteps approach and soon a shadow fell over you. You looked up at him and giggled.
"Did you at least make sure there weren't any thistles there before you lay down?" He put a hand on his hip and raised an eyebrow. You rolled your eyes playfully.
"Yes, granny. The thistle and stingy nettles are all at the edge so it's fine to lie in the middle." You snort before closing your eyes and patting the spot beside you.
You heard Rafayel sigh before the flowers to your right started moving about. After about a minute they're still again.
For five minutes you bask there with your eyes closed feeling the air get colder the lower the sun goes, and hearing the soft breathing of your companion. All was soft and peaceful.
"You know, I've realized over the past few days that you have no concept of danger."
Despite saying those somewhat startling words, the one who said them made absolutely no moves.
You crack one eye open and turn to face him, but he's there with his eyes closed and arms behind his head, as casual as ever.
"How so?" You say softly while opening your other eye to watch him.
He does not move or open his eyes, but he replies.
"You've come to a secluded place with a stranger, one who you don't trust no less."
Your eyes crinkled as you smiled at him.
"Who said I don't trust you?"
"Your silver earring, the way you avoided my first handshake, and your fake name." Despite his accusatory words, his response was soft as if he was more curious than upset. You paused for a second.
He was right. It's not like you completely trusted him, but there was just something about him that let your guard down. By this point, you were sure he was a fae, the constant sand that sparkled in his hair was a giveaway. Yet you still did not know exactly what he was. A selkie or an Each-Uisge? He was curious like a selkie yet he didn't appear weary of humans. However, that could be because he was confident his seal skin was well hidden. After all, without a selkie's seal skin, you don't hold any power over one. Of course, there is always the option that he was a Each-Uisge, which would explain the confidence. The slightest touch and you would be a goner unless you part with your limbs. But he has had multiple chances to lure you away and yet you are still here, intact.
The best way to deal with him would be to find his skin or his bridle. That way despite what he was you'd have the power over him. Yet as you propped yourself up onto your elbows and gazed down at his face in this field of flowers, you didn't feel the need to. He was vulnerable right now. Eyes closed, breathing softly, hair fluttering against his forehead. Just what was he to expose himself so confidently to you? Did he think you couldn't do anything to him so he simply doesn't care?
Or, does he trust you?
As soon as that thought flew into your head your brain dismissed it as stupid. But, your expression softened.
You watched as his eyes twitched and a few stray hairs started teasing his shut eyelids. Before you could even think about the consequences, your hand reached out to brush away the strands.
But just before you touched him, his eyes flew open and he rolled away from your hand. Your eyes widened and you blinked owlishly at the spot he once lay. You turned towards him only to find him staring at you with wide eyes, pupils focused on your hand.
It was still for a second before he dragged his eyes to your own and laughed shakily.
"See? No concept of danger."
It has been a few days since you last saw Rafayel. He seemed to be out every time you came to deliver food and you've been helping granny for the past few days in the house so you had no time to check the shore for him.
His reaction at the flower field the last time you were with him was still fresh on your mind.
The way he pulled back so quickly as if he was afraid for you to touch him was strange. Maybe it was a clue? An Each-Uisge would have no reason to pull away from your touch you touching him would be the goal right? But there just didn't seem something right with calling him a selkie either. Maybe he was something completely different. Who knows.
You sighed and leaned on the broom you were using to clean the room. Granny turned around from wiping down the table and gave a sympathetic smile.
"Sighing at the weather dearie?"
You turn to stare out the window. The sky is a dreary gray and the clouds are a dark ominous color. The wind is no longer whispering but moaning causing the windows to shake slightly as little drops of rain spit at them.
"Yeah, two storms in a week, it's not even the right season for them."
Now granny sighs.
"The Queen of Elphame must not be happy."
"The Queen of the fair folk huh." You drawled out lost in thought.
Whenever someone unusual occurs in nature, granny always blames the Queen of the fairies. Something about how she is the mother that oversees the balance. You usually would have looked past it as granny being granny. But for some reason today you seem stuck on it.
Will this affect Rafayel?
Shaking your head you clear your mind. Cleaning up comes first, you can check on Rafayel once the storm passes.
At least that was your plan. But as the night got deeper and the storm raged on, you couldn't help the worry in your heart.
Realistically you did not need to worry, he was a water spirit, and a storm couldn't hurt him. But there was just something in the back of your mind telling you to check the barn.
Standing up from the table you moved to get your shawl. It would do little against the harsh winds and rain but it was something.
Caleb who was also sitting at the table raised an eyebrow at you.
"You're not planning to go out there are you?"
You barely spared him a glance.
"Yeah."
He furrowed his brows.
"No way, you'll get soaked." He chided as he stood up, most likely to stop you. You turned to him pleadingly.
"Please, I'm just going to check if Rafayel is okay in the stable, maybe bring him in here."
Caleb observed you for a second, then sighed.
"Fine, but I'm getting a towel ready and I'll heat some water for when you get back in."
You smiled gratefully at him before heading towards the door.
"Thanks."
The wind was as harsh as it looked. As soon as you stepped outside your hair started whipping around the place, and small but dense raindrops pelted your face. Walking to the stable felt like you had an invisible force pushing you backward with each step you took. But you pressed on.
When you got to the stable you stopped in your tracks. There were low groans of pain coming from inside.
Panicking and not thinking you threw the door open.
You gasped in shock as the door slammed shut by the wind behind you. But it wasn't the door that frightened you.
On the floor, writhing in pain was Rafayel. Except it wasn't. Instead of the laid-back human with sand in his hair, on the floor in his place was a creature.
His feet were now translucent blue hoofs, his hair was no longer soft strands but rough steely seaweed-looking wires, and the translucent blue patches were also elsewhere on his skin.
You didn't know how long you just stood there holding your breath until he turned around and you let it all out.
His eyes were pitch black.
Startled by the sudden eye contact you turned your head to the side. As you did, whether it was by chance or on purpose your eyes spotted a worn-out bridle in the corner.
His bridle.
The moment your eyes made contact with the bridle, Rafayel let out a pitiful gargle.
You slowly turned your head back around to the man, or the fae squirming below you. He was looking at you. You had a feeling that during the time you were looking away not once did he remove his eyes from you.
You let out a shaky breath before subconsciously uttering.
"Each-Uisge."
He flinched and let out a low whine.
You had no idea why he was in this state. No idea why he avoided your touch last time, no idea why he didn't immediately drag you to your doom the first time that you met. But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was that you knew where his bridle was and he was helpless to stop you from taking it. You could own him.
At least that's what should've been all that mattered. It seemed Rafayel also thought so as with one last groan he looked at you and shut his eyes. As if he was surrendering. He is giving up, and telling you to take it.
But you didn't.
You were confused, scared, and upset. You hated seeing him in pain, hated the thought of taking advantage of him, even if he wasn't a him in the first place. Caleb and Granny would call you a fool for not taking advantage of the situation, yet you found yourself not caring if you were being naive or not. You did the only thing that made sense to you at that moment.
You ran out of the stable.
The next day you woke up and got ready in a trancelike state. You don't remember what happened when you returned last night or how you got to sleep. All you remember is the sight at the stables.
It was still pretty early in the morning. Caleb and Granny weren't up yet so you decided to look outside at the weather.
It was still awfully gray and it looked like if not today another storm would be approaching soon. With the way Rafayel was yesterday maybe the Queen of Elphame was upset.
You flinched a little when you unconsciously thought of him. Several emotions came crashing into you at once. The images of the Rafayel you got to know and the Rafayel who is a Each-Uisge were trying to fit together to no avail.
You sigh. You need to clear your head.
Walking through town in the early morning after a storm was a very silent experience. Everything was monochrome and the air was eerily still.
You were trying to not think as you made your way through your walk but somehow that seemed to be a bad choice as you ended up on the rocky shore once again.
"Of course, my feet would lead me here." You mumbled humorlessly as you followed the line of the sea.
You walk silently for a while before a figure comes into your line of sight. You hesitate for a second knowing automatically who the figure was. Recent discoveries would suggest that you immediately turn away. An Each-Uisge by the Sea is a dangerous combination. But you don't move to turn. Instead, you keep walking forward.
An Each-Uisge by the sea might be dangerous, but a Rafayel by the sea has been nothing but pleasant.
You stop when you're only about an arm's length away.
He doesn't turn to face you. But you know he knows it's you.
He's looking better than last night, he also is back to his fully human form. The boyishly handsome man with sand in his hair and fire in his eyes.
You know he isn't going to break the silence, so for once you start.
"Are you feeling any better?"
He turns to you with a humorless smile.
"You really have no self-preservation skills do you?"
For some reason, he seemed almost angry at you.
You furrowed your brow.
"I'm still alive aren't I?" You huff as you cross your arms. He rolls his eyes.
"Yeah but for how long?" He stands up and towers over you "You don't avoid the strange guy you came across on the beach right after a storm." He holds up a finger, points it accusatory, and takes a step closer, you take a step back. "You invite him to where you live." Another step forward, another step back. "You then take him along to meet the rest of the townsfolk." Another step forward, another step back. "You then try to touch him not knowing what he is." Another step forward and back. "And to top it all off when faced with the chance to protect yourself from him by stealing his bridle, you just run away!" Another step forward, except this time there was nowhere for you to go back as your back pressed against a large rock.
He slams his arms out practically caging you in against the rock and gets close to your face.
"You know about the fae and how to deal with them considering you're wearing silver earrings and refused to give me your name so I seriously can't fathom why you're acting so carefree! I can't decide if you're naive, plain stupid, or just insane!"
You stare at him as he fumes. He has a point, and you're not even sure what to tell him. You know how careless you are. But as you stare into his eyes like they're the prettiest piece of art you've ever seen you can't help but blurt out your real name.
He freezes.
"What?"
You repeat yourself. He scrunches his eyebrows together.
"Why?"
"Why what?" You find yourself replying.
"You just gave me your real name. Why?" He practically seethed out.
You shrugged.
"You said I gave you a fake name and then I realized that I never did give you my real one."
Rafayel looked like he was about to blow a gasket.
"You're not supposed to tell me your name! What if I take advantage of that and drag you down to the deep!"
At his threat, you didn't find yourself concerned at all. Whatever he planned to do from here on out you believed you would be okay with it, so you smiled at him.
"Then that's fine."
He took a deep breath and looked deep into your eyes. He seemed lost for a second before he sighed and took a step away from you.
He used the heel of his palm to rub his eyes as he groaned.
"You're so…" He trailed off as he removed his hands from his face and stormed off to a small rock.
You stood watching him as he took something out from behind the rock and started walking towards you again.
As he got closer you recognised it as his bridle.
"Rafayel what are you.."
You didn't get to finish your sentence before he was shoving his bridle into your arms. You looked at it in confusion, then looked up at him.
"What's this for?"
He crossed his arms over his chest and pouted like a child. It was a cute gesture you thought.
"You gave me your name, so I'm giving you my bridle"
You smiled gently at him then shook your hand, holding the bridle back out to him.
"I don't need it."
He looked upset at your refusal.
"Why?"
"Because I don't need control over you."
He snarled.
"Just accept it."
"Rafayel I don't need-"
"Just take it!" He yelled. It was silent for a second then he sighed and almost whimpered out "Please."
Seeing him look so desperate at you, you gently held the bridle closer to yourself.
"Is there another reason you want me to take the bridle?"
He twitched slightly, then mumbled out.
"If you accept it then you know I won't hurt you when I.."
You raise your brow.
"When you what?"
Rafayel doesn't answer that. He just lets out a breath and walks towards you quickly. Before you can even question his motives you're being flung into a hard chest with an arm wrapped around your waist and a hand on the back of your head. You hold your breath as his head nuzzles into the crook of your neck.
"I'm sorry," He breathes out as you squirm a little as his breath tickles you, "I just couldn't wait."
The grip he had on you was firm, but you could still break free if you wanted, not only because he would let you but because you had the extra assurance of his bridle.
You relaxed slightly.
"What brought this on?"
He groaned.
"You, you're just so, trusting and stupid."
You pouted.
"Those don't seem like good things."
"That's because they're not." Before you could complain he continued. "I was always warned by others that humans were cruel, they deserved what we did to them. They take advantage of other creatures the second there's an opening. I mean think of the selkies and how many of them we've lost to humans."
Sensing that he needed to let this out you managed to bring one arm away from the bridle and placed it gently on the back of his head.
He continued.
"All the humans I've met up until now have proven that, and I thought you'd be the same." His voice softened. "But you were different. You were kind and offered me a place to rest even though I know you didn't trust me, you tried to cheer me up by introducing me to the people you loved when I closed my eyes in your presence you didn't immediately try to hurt me instead you tried to comfort me, and when allowed to steal my bridle and have control over me you declined. Not once. But twice."
You weren't too sure since his head was still buried away from your sight, but it sounded like there were tears.
You were stunned. All this time you had assumed your actions were reckless and stupid, but kind? That thought never crossed your mind yet your actions affected Rafayel so deeply.
Steeling yourself, you made a decision.
"I still don't accept your bridle."
He finally looked up at you, and you could finally see the sparkling water droplets littering his eyes. How much you wanted to wipe them away.
"What?" He practically whispered.
"I still don't accept it." You repeat.
His arms around you tighten as if scared that you'll run off any minute.
"But-"
"I don't need to accept it, because I trust you."
Rafayel had that look on his face which meant he disagreed with what you said. But before he could get the words out you dropped the saddle, grabbed his face, and crashed your lips into his.
He was stunned for a minute if the way his grip on you loosened was anything to go by, but he quickly recovered, holding you tighter than ever and kissing you back with just as much force. The way your lips overlapped with one another was reminiscent of the crashing waves as your hot breaths intermingled. His grip on your head was strong but delicate as he positioned it in a way to kiss you deeper. You don't know what compelled you to kiss him in the first place but at this moment you both knew that this was no mistake.
A few days passed after your affair with Rafayel on the shore. Since that day there were non-stop storms so chances to meet were hard to come by.
It was the third day of the endless storms when you found yourself awake in the middle of the night. You're not sure what woke you but you decided to get some water so you headed to the kitchen.
Being as quiet as you could, you stood sipping the water while gazing out of the window. By the way, the wind was wailing how much noise you made wasn't important you thought. Your mind wandered, eyes following the rain racing down the window when you saw something move from the corner of your eye. Squinting outside to look at the darkness your eyes widened in shock.
It was Rafayel.
Quickly putting on appropriate clothes you rushed to the only place he would be heading, the shore.
You were correct as by the time you got there you saw Rafayel standing beside the restless waves staring down at them glumbly. He has his bridle with him.
"Rafayel!" You yelled once you were close enough to be heard and he turned around in surprise.
He opened his arms as you practically fell into him from the force of the wind and your running, causing him to drop his bridle.
"What are you doing here?" He asked worriedly, rubbing his hands up and down your arms trying to keep you as warm as possible.
"That's what I want to ask you!" You demand. You're not sure why but you have a bad feeling about all of this. He looks away from you.
"It's time for me to go back." He says blandly. Your grip on him tightens.
"No." You state. He looks up at you with a slight smile now.
"What do you mean no? I have to go back." He pinches your arms lightly.
"I don't want you to leave!"
He sighs sorrowfully and brings a hand up to gently stroke your cold face.
"I don't want to leave either my love but the Queen of Elphame is practically demanding me back. Has been for a couple of days now." He quickly kissed your cheek. "I was only supposed to be up here for a bit to collect food and well, you see how that went."
He chuckled slowly while brushing your hair back. Your hands on his arms trembled.
"What am I supposed to do with you gone?"
He looked pained at the hurt in your voice.
"You have granny, you have the villagers, you have Caleb, you'll be fine I promise."
"What if I'm not?" Tears were now starting to gather in your eyes and Rafayel panicked.
All he could do was wipe your tears away and softly call your name.
"Was what happened in the stable a side effect from being here too long?" He paused his actions at your question and then continued.
"Sort of, it's because I was in my human form for too long, if I was in my horse one I would've been fine."
"Why can't you just stay up here in your horse form then?"
He sighed deeply.
"I can last longer in the horse form but still not long enough, I wouldn't be able to hold you like this if I was a horse." To make his point more clear he brought you closer to him.
"Then take me with you!"
Rafayel turned serious.
"No."
"Why not!"
"Your life is up here, all the people you love are up here, if I were to drag you down you wouldn't be a human anymore."
"I don't care."
Rafayel fumed.
"What do you mean you don't care!? You'll be leaving everything behind, your identity even! For what?!"
"For you."
It was silent.
The wind whipped as the sea roared and Rafayel and you both started hard at each other.
Rafayel broke first by helplessly calling your name. But you stopped him.
"Take me with you."
He called your name again, but you ignored him.
"I'm serious. If you go without me I'll drown myself."
He called your name more firmly this time.
"If you want me to live, take me with you."
Rafayel nibbled his bottom lip in contemplation then leaned his head on your shoulder in defeat.
"I said that you were kind unlike other humans and that's why I fell for you. But now I see you're much crueler, using your own life as a bargaining chip." He nipped your shoulder and straightened back up. "But somehow I love you even more."
"I told you I didn't need your bridle, I have control over you without it." You giggled as he rolled his eyes.
"There's no going back, you know?" He questioned your resolve one last time and he gently cupped your face.
You leaned into his palm and looked at him with affection.
"I know."
With that final confirmation, beneath the howling sky and beside the crashing waves, his lips once again met yours.
The storm once again blew without warning, leaving chaos in its wake.
It left just as quickly, leaving naught but a worn-out bridle on the shore.