AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Macey nodded. “Yeah, I’d like to be horizontal now.”
The house turned out to be a thatched little hut with a high roof that made it look a bit like a tent. Rónán really hadn’t lied when he’d said that it wasn’t big.
“Where are the others going to sleep?” Macey muttered as Rónán unlocked the door for them.
“Several selkies have offered their hospitality. You saved them, so they’ll look after them, don’t worry.”
“Good.” She nodded and let Rónán push her forwards into the house. It was one big room that was separated into smaller areas by wooden screens. Everything had a rather rustic look, and not a single wall was straight.
“Driftwood,” Rónán explained before she could even ask. “No trees here, so we take what we can from the ocean. The roof is partly thatched with kelp.”
“Bed?”
He chuckled. “Behind the screen on your left.”
Compared to the rest of the hut, the bed was rather large. Macey sat on the edge and let herself fall backwards, half asleep already.
She muttered thanks when Rónán began to take off her shoes, but she was fast asleep before he’d managed to undress her.
Fifteen
“Do you have it back?”
“Not yet, mother. I’m working on it.”
“You shouldn’t be here without it. It’s a disgrace.”
Slowly, Macey woke to the sound of voices. The sun was warming her face, and judging from its position, it had to be at least late morning.
“You’ll never find a girl without your skin,” the unfamiliar woman said in the distance. Her voice was shrill and unpleasant, and Macey was tempted to throw some water magic at her to shut her up.
“I’ve found one already, mother, and she-“
“A kelpie.” The woman’s voice quivered with disgust. “Of course one of those would accept a selkie man without his skin. No standards, those kelpies. They probably whore around with anyone.”
“Mother!” Rónán admonished her loudly. “She saved us all. She killed the Orca. You’d likely not even be here if she hadn’t come to help, so please, just keep your opinions to yourself.”
The woman muttered something Macey couldn’t understand, but apparently, Rónán had heard it.
“Out,” he said harshly. “And never say that again in my presence.”
“I’m ashamed of you, son.”
“Well, that’s mutual,” Rónán seethed. “Now go before Macey wakes up.”
The door slammed shut and Macey decided it was time to stop pretending to be asleep.
“What the waves was that about?” she asked with a yawn. Rónán turned around to her and was by her side in a flash.
“Feeling better?”
Macey nodded. “Aye, I’m a lot less tired. Is your mother always this… ehm…”
“Spiteful?” He sighed and sat down on the bed. “Yes, she is. She’s become a lot worse since my father left her. It’s one of the reasons I don’t spend much time here. I can’t deal with her accusations and prejudice.”
“We can’t choose our parents.” Macey put a hand on Rónán’s arm. “You’ve turned out remarkably well though.”
He chuckled deeply. “I take after my dad. He’s very different from her. No idea how they ever got together, but I’m glad he left. She terrorised him, belittled him no matter what he did. He’s a lot happier now that they’re separated.”
