Daire was a sight to behold, leaning against the wall of the Royal Otter. The setting sun cast a bronze glow over his skin. The light picked up the glinting red undertones of his beard and curls as he pushed his hair from his face. Ceara grinned, noticing he’d unbuttoned his shirt further than usual. A bouquet of flowers hung from his hand as he stared out over the water. Daire glanced in Ceara’s direction, his face lighting up with a smile once he spotted her. He pushed away from the wall, sauntering toward her with the bouquet of dog rose and lilies extended to Ceara. 

“Hello, beautiful,” he said as Ceara accepted the bouquet, nuzzling her nose into the blooms. She lifted her face from the flowers to kiss Daire. Shivers ran through her body as his hands slipped around her waist. She smiled as their lips pulled away from each other. Daire raised his arm to rest over her shoulders, directing her down the path to the beach. 

“So, I finally get a first date, do I?” she asked. Daire smirked down at her. 

“You didn’t exactly make it easy, you know.” Ceara returned the smirk. 

“I wasn’t under the impression that I was supposed to make the chase easy.” Ceara’s arm snaked around Daire’s waist, giving him a light squeeze as they continued down the path. As they rounded the corner, Ceara moved to continue down the path, when Daire paused. 

“Not that way, come here,” he said, pushing aside the long grass. A small path was revealed, winding it’s way down into a secluded space of the beach hidden away behind large rocks. Daire slid his arm from Ceara’s shoulders, taking her hand to guide her down the rocky path into the private enclosure of the stones. Within the space was a small wicker basket on a flannel blanket. Two glasses were set on the blanket next to a bottle of red wine, the basket overflowing with fruit, cheese, and dried meats. Daire gestured to Ceara to sit. 

“Come, sit. Enjoy.” Ceara lowered herself onto the blanket, and Daire knelt next to her, popping the wine bottle open. The wine glugged freely from the bottle, filling the glasses. Once they each had a glass in hand, Daire corked the bottle, raising his glass to Ceara. 

“What are we toasting to?” she asked. Daire paused, thinking for a moment.

“To a new beginning, and to you,” he said. He gave her a warm smile. “Since you showed up in the village, my world hasn’t looked the same, and I think I’m better for it.” Ceara clinked her glass against his. 

“To us then, and the new path we’re traveling.” 

Daire pulled the contents of the basket out, laying the food out on the blanket for them to snack on. Ceara’s mind was spinning. Of course, she wanted to see where things would go with Daire. As she looked out at the water, the lazy waves splashing on the shore as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, she wondered just how possible it could be. After all, her people needed her, now more than ever before. It felt like Rhiannon was pushing her to Jade Cliffs, but looking at Daire, she couldn’t see how she could build a relationship with a human man while sitting at the head of the Selkie table. 

Her concern must have shown through her expression. Daire looked at her, cocking his head to the side as she lost herself in thought. He clicked his fingers in front of her face. 

“Hey, where’d you go?” he asked with a light chuckle. Ceara snapped back to attention. 

“Huh? Sorry, what?” she asked. 

“Where’d you go just now, you looked a little worried.” Ceara picked up a slice of peach, chewing it slowly as she debated her next words. 

“My family. I saw them last night. They’ve been struggling, and I’m just… I don’t know how to help.” Daire nodded his head, then laid on his side on the blanket, picking up a piece of cheese. 

“Your family, where are they?” he asked. 

“On an island not far from here.” 

“And what troubles them?” Daire’s question tied a knot of anxiety in the pit of Ceara’s stomach. 

“Well, they’re being pushed out of their home,” she said, choosing her words carefully. She watched Daire’s face, trying to prepare herself. 

“Who is pushing them out?” Ceara sat in silence for a moment. 

“I… I can’t say. But what I can say is that they’re relying on me to find them a new place where they can be safe. I don’t know where that will be.” Ceara scoured Daire’s face. 

“So you’d have to leave Jade Cliffs? Why don’t they come here?” he asked. Ceara shook her head. 

“I don’t know if them coming here would be a good idea. They’d be left vulnerable still.” Daire raised himself slightly, giving Ceara a concerned look. 

“Okay, but vulnerable to what?” 

“I can’t say.” 

“So then what about your parents? Can’t they help you?” he asked. He regretted the question the second it escaped his lips as he saw the sadness drop Ceara’s face. 

“Dead. Invaders made that an impossibility not too long ago. Just before I arrived here, actually.” Daire nodded his head. 

“Jade Cliffs was your escape.” Ceara gave him a weak smile. 

“It was supposed to be, yes. But I don’t think there’s any way to escape the problems that plague my family.” She glanced around, staring out at the setting sun. Daire took a piece of dried meat, chewing as he thought. 

“What about creating your own village?” he asked. Ceara furrowed her brows and looking at him. 

“How does one simply raise a village?” she took another swig of her wine. “The island that my family has lived on, they’ve been there for generations. The great hall alone has stood for over a century.” Ceara sighed, feeling frustrated at the thought. Daire shrugged. 

“The vikings set up new villages all the time. And there’s open land not far from here. We have builders, farmers, fishermen, everything you might need in Jade Cliffs to help your family,” he said, passing the basket of meats to Ceara. “It’s not like you’re not loved by the people of Jade Cliffs. If it means that your family is safe, I can’t see people not wanting to help you build a new great hall.” 

Ceara was curious; she’d have to go and investigate the land Daire had mentioned. The land would need access to the water, and it would need to be able to be protected as she did with her cove. That’s what made it difficult; if they developed a town on land, there would most certainly be human wanderers who would venture into the town. The Selkie would have to learn to live as the humans do, while protecting the sacred areas. Either that, or they would have to set a border that discouraged any non-Selkie from entering. They’d also need to be able to access the water, but also have a vantage point, should the finfolk find them. She sighed, looking back at Daire. 

“Maybe. I don’t know.. I’ll have to speak to my family and see what might work.” Daire nodded his head in understanding. He reached across the blanket, lacing his fingers into hers and squeezing. Ceara’s heart skipped a beat, a sadness washing over her. Daire pulled her into him, settling her back against him. He wrapped his arm around her waist, nuzzling his face into her neck. 

“You’ve got me for whatever you need. I’ll help you in any way I can. And if I can’t help with something, I know someone who can.” Ceara leaned her head against Daire’s, a light smile spreading over her face. She placed a kiss on his temple. 

“I know. Thank you,” she said, leaning her head back as Daire pushed her hair away from her neck. Daire began trailing kisses over her neck, until she turned, kissing him back. As their tongues danced against each other, she climbed over him, straddling him as their kiss deepened. Daire’s hands slipped under her dress, his fingers running over the silky skin of her thighs to rest on her hips. Ceara grinned, feeling a swelling beneath her as he stiffened beneath the fabric of his pants. 

“You like what you do to me?” asked Daire with a playful tone. Ceara smiled, nodding her head before kissing Daire once more. He pulled a hand free, placing it on her back before rolling her over onto her back into the soft sand. He grinned down at her, a devilish look in his eyes. He reached his fingers down between her Ceara’s thighs. His fingers slipped between her slit, finding her already wet and excited. His grin widened. He gave her one more kiss, pushing her dress up to her waist, sliding his body down. 

Ceara gasped as she felt the warmth of Daire’s tongue push between her lips, sliding up to her clit. Her back arched in pleasure as she felt his tongue working over her. Flashes of her dream of him played through her mind with each flick of his tongue, every moment when his lips met the inside of her thigh. Daire looked up at her, Ceara’s legs framing his face. 

Daire raised a hand, separating her lips with his fingers before pushing a finger inside of her. Ceara moaned with pleasure, his tongue putting pressure on her clit once more as he worked another finger into her. Goosebumps raised all over her skin as he worked over every pleasure point. Her moans grew louder as she pushed her fingers into his curls, holding him in position with her thighs on either side of his head. Before long she was crying out in ecstasy, her nails scratching into his scalp, bucking her hips against his face. Daire was relentless, his face secure against her no matter how much her back arched.

 As the final crescendo of her orgasm eased, Daire pulled back, sitting back on his heels. Ceara lay panting on the sand as Daire wiped his hand over his face, wiping the slick wetness from his beard. He slowly crawled over her body as Ceara caught her breath, pushing his face into her neck to kiss her once more. 

“You taste so good, so sweet,” he growled into her ear. “I could stay down there forever, drinking you up.” Ceara turned her head, pulling Daire’s face to hers. She could still smell herself on his beard, taste herself on his tongue. She shook her head. 

“I want more,” she said. Daire grinned. 

“Is that so? What more do you want from me?” 

Ceara reached down, grasping onto the stiff rod that was pressing against the fabric of his pants. The fabric was stretched tight. Ceara chuckled. 

“I want this right here, the cock threatening to tear your pants apart.” Daire sat back on his heels, pulling his belt free, then pulling his pants open. He pushed his pants down, his member springing free. Ceara pushed herself up onto her knees, pushing him so that he fell onto his back on the blanket. She stood, sliding her dress off her body, revealing every curve of silky skin before she stood over Daire. She placed her feet on either side of his hips. Daire’s eyes traveled over her body, a hungry look on his face. Ceara slid her hands over her body, teasing him as she let her fingers drift over her mound, down to her clit, pleasuring herself as he watched. Ceara watched as Daire’s hand rubbed up and down his shaft, dripping as he watched her play with herself, moaning above him. 

“Come here,” he growled. Ceara gave him a wicked smile, continuing to rub her clit with her fingers until her knees began to buckle. 

“I said, come here,” he growled again, grabbing Ceara behind her knees and dropping her to the sand. His hand reached up, grasping her throat and pulling her face to his. She hovered above him, the tip just barely grazing her wet opening. She continued to pleasure herself over him, gasping and moaning until she reached orgasm once again. 

“Let me inside you, my queen,” he said, his lips inches from hers. Ceara lowered herself slightly, accepting the head of his cock inside of her. He groaned, then slid his hands down her body to her hips. He pushed her hips down until every inch of him was buried inside of her. Ceara straightened once more, whimpering as she reveled in the way he filled and stretched her. Daire’s fingertips pressed into her hips, guiding her rhythm as she ground down on him. 

Ceara reached down, slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt as she rode up and down on him. She pushed the fabric aside, running her fingers through the soft curls of his chest hair. The pace grew faster, her nails digging into his chest as she felt her muscles tightening within her core. Daire reached up, his fingers running along her scalp, making a fist in her cinnamon locks. He pulled her down onto her side, rolling over on top of her. She squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

The steady rhythm grew into an intense pounding. Daire buried his face into Ceara’s neck, chills running down her spine as he growled into her ear. He was like an animal in heat, having finally caught the mate he’d been so desperate to acquire. Ceara called out Daire’s name in euphoric bliss, leaving scores along his back as she writhed beneath him. Soon, they’d reached their orgasm together, and Daire slumped on top of Ceara, panting and exhausted. 

Ceara brushed her fingers through Daire’s curls. She ran her other hand along his back, feeling him soften inside of her as they lay in their embrace. He raised his head, propping himself up on his elbow. His fingers gently traced the outline of her face, admiring every shape and line. The moon had risen in the sky, casting a beautiful glow over her shining amber eyes. A gentle smile crossed her face as she stared into the icy blue of his eyes. Daire’s voice was quiet as he spoke.

“It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for you. Like every moment was leading to you.”

Ceara felt her cheeks flush as he looked down at her, lovingly stroking her face. He leaned down, pressing his lips gently against hers. Examining the look in his eyes, Ceara could find nothing but true admiration in his loving gaze. Finally, he gently rolled off of her. Daire’s semen dripped from her, running down to the blanket beneath her. Glancing around, she could see that the two glasses of wine had fallen and spilled onto the blanket. Ceara chuckled, looking at the mess they’d made. 

“This poor blanket,” she said, watching as Daire slowly dressed himself. “These stains are going to be impossible to get out of the fabric.” Daire smirked, looking at the carnage of their lovemaking. 

“I’d say that was well worth a stained blanket.” Daire picked up Ceara’s dress, then offered his hand to help her stand. Ceara accepted the dress, slipping it on. Daire reached down as she dressed herself, gathering the fallen glasses and the bottle of wine. He passed her an empty glass as she finished dressing, pulling free the cork. 

“Luckily, we have more wine where that came from.” He tipped the bottle, pouring the wine into her glass. As Ceara watched the wine pour, she felt a pang in her chest and doubled over. The wine poured over her hand as she dropped the glass, then clutched her chest, gasping for air. Daire dropped everything, grabbing Ceara.

“Ceara, what’s wrong?” Ceara lifted her face, the pain vanishing as quickly as it started. Daire’s face was awash with concern. 

“Something is wrong. My home… something is wrong.” Ceara, looked out to the water, unsure of what to do. She ran onto the beach, but she couldn’t see her cove from where she stood. Another pang hit her, this time making her cry out in pain, clutching her chest. 

“Ceara, please tell me what’s wrong.” Ceara shook her head and began rushing up the path he’d led her down. 

“I have to check my home. I can’t tell you how I know, I just know there’s something wrong.” Daire chased Ceara up the path, calling after her to stop. 

“If something is wrong, then you need to let me help you.” Ceara reached the main path, taking off in a run. Another pang hit, and she collapsed into the dirt. Daire skidded to a stop, helping Ceara up. 

“You can’t come with. Daire, it’s too dangerous.” She turned to leave, but Daire grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. 

“If it’s too dangerous for me, than it’s too dangerous to you. I’m coming with you.” Daire started down the path, only to be met with Ceara’s open hand smacking into his chest. 

“I am no damsel in distress, Daire. I’m telling you to let me do this on my own,” she shouted, staring him down. Daire shook his head. 

“You don’t need to be a damsel in distress for me to help you. But something is clearly happening here, and even if I don’t understand what the fuck is happening, I’m going to help you,” he yelled back. He stepped back, catching his breath. “Now, lets go.” He offered Ceara his hand, and she hesitated. He offered his hand again, insisting. Finally, Ceara accepted his hand, then raced down the path leading to the cove. 

They reached the cove to find the entrance blown open. Daire looked at it, confused.

“This… this was all blocked off yesterday.” Ceara gestured for him to be quiet, creeping through the entrance. Daire looked around, bewildered and examining the shadows. As Ceara entered the cove, she could see that the sand had been disturbed. The footsteps looked as though someone had dug through the entirety of her cove, searching for something. Daire came up behind her shoulder. 

“I don’t see anything. Are you sure-,” Ceara hushed him, pointing up at the yew tree. They stood still, listening for sounds coming from the tree. Instead, the only sounds they could hear were the sounds of the waves lapping against the shore, and the breeze rustling the leaves of the yew tree. Ceara closed her eyes, pushing a pulse of magic out, reaching first for her coat. It was still untouched. She pushed the pulse further, calling out to Nida for help, hoping it would reach her so that she would know there was danger. 

Her eyes flashed open as a hand was placed on her shoulder. She turned, to see Daire gesturing for her to step back. He pointed into the tree, mouthing to her that he could see someone in the tree. Daire blocked her from approaching the tree. He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. 

“I don’t think they’ve spotted us yet. They’re going through something small.” Daire slowly reached down, picking up a stone that could easily fit into his hand. He threw it hard into the tree, hitting the person in the shoulder. They turned, spotting Ceara and Daire standing in the sand, then darted up the tree. Ceara screamed as they moved, watching as the shadowy figure sent her dresses flying through the air as they tore through her baskets. Daire sprang into action, scaling the tree as quickly as he could. He grabbed the invader’s foot, causing them to slip onto a branch, scrambling to kick their foot free from Daire’s grasp. Daire slipped, tumbling down but catching himself on a thick branch. The figure darted back up the tree. 

The air whooshed from Ceara’s chest, a feeling of constriction tightening around her throat; the figure had gotten to her coat. She gasped, filling her lungs with air before a scream tore through her throat. Daire looked in her direction just long enough for the figure to bounce down, a boot catching Daire in the face. Ceara screamed again as Daire crashed down from the tree, landing in the sand unconscious. She ran to him, skidding to a stop as the figure dropped down in front of her. 

“Give me back my coat.” Her voice shook as she looked at the figure in front of her. Their face was obscured by the hood of a large cloak, but it was clear that a large man stood in front of her. He didn’t speak, only slowly stepped toward her. Ceara took a careful step back, never taking her eyes off the figure. 

“You don’t have to do this.” Ceara continued to back up until her back met the stone of the cliff behind her. As the figure drew closer, she picked up a familiar scent. 

“Wait, why are you doing this?” she asked, fear rising in her chest. The figure didn’t speak, instead reached forward, his strong hand grabbing her arm. She struggled, fighting against him. He shoved her coat into his cloak, wrapping a hand around her throat and pushing her against the stone. Ceara cried out as her head smacked into the stone. 

“Please, don’t do this-,” she pleaded. His hand tightened around her throat as she gasped for air. 

“Stop fighting. You’re coming with me.”