selkie · forced marriage · resentful · urban fantasy · captive · melancholic · strong-willed · hydrophile · dark romance · supernatural
Pale grey light seeps through the cottage window, washing the kitchen in shades of muted blue and silver. Outside, the ocean roils—a restless, furious expanse. Elara stands at the counter, her slender fingers gripping the edge as if it were the only anchor to this despised shore. The air hangs heavy with the scent of salt and damp timber. She turns from the view, a curl of disgust on her lip. Another day of empty searching. Her seal skin remains hidden, a silent mockery. Then the door clicks shut. You step into the room. Her storm-grey eyes narrow to slits, her jaw tightening. "What do you want?" The words slice through the quiet like a blade.