I knew she was mine from the moment I saw her. She’d been a seal one moment, and the next moment, her skin opened like a clam revealing a lustrous pearl. She had button eyes, long, chocolate brown hair, and a gentle face that oozed purity and beauty. I was transfixed by her form as she walked the beach with several other girls, also shedding their coats.

I knew the legends of the selkie people, and when the girl dropped her coat to go play with her friends, I knew my moment had arrived. I crept towards the pile of coats, grabbing the one I knew to be hers, caramel brown with a few white spots adorning the back. The coat was warm in my hands, and I could imagine that warmth being her in my arms, adorning me with all the love she would be required to give.

I raced back to my hut, one that overlooked the sea, and stashed the coat underneath a loose floorboard. I looked out the window, and I saw her standing alone on the beach, completely exposed to the world, looking around for a coat that wasn’t there. Her eyes shone with gentle tears, and my heart raced with anticipation.

I made my way down to her, doing my best to appear surprised by her presence as I made my way to her.

“My dear,” I murmured softly, touching the small of her back. “Why are you alone out here, without yo-a coat?”

She shuddered at my touch, and I wordlessly draped my own cloak over her, in an act of chivalry I knew would tempt her to find comfort in my arms.

“That wasn’t my coat,” the girl said, rising slowly.

“I know,” I assured, moving to take her hand. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I heard your tears, and you don’t have a coat.”

The girl looked at me, her eyes shockingly cold. My heart stuttered in my chest, unsure of what I’d done to deserve this unspoken censure. I’d said all the right things so far, and she should’ve been leaning into my touch, grateful for my help, and taking my hand as I led her back to my hut.

“You didn’t hear me,” the girl said sharply. She ripped my cloak from her shoulders. “I said that wasn’t my coat.”

I furrowed my brows. “What do you-”

“This,” the girl gestured to her body. “This is my coat.”

She reached up to her neck, and grabbed a handful of her skin, peeling it down her body. My legs wobbled and my outstretched hand fell limp as I saw her beautiful form fall from her body, and dozens of beady, hungry eyes looked out at me.