Valencia didn't speak until they reached a ring of homes nestled on a cliff jutting out over the sea. The trek to the top made Meribella's calves burn, but the selkie woman beside her was at ease the entire journey.

"This is where the Harpy Clan resides."

"It's lovely," Meribella replied. And it was.

The houses were larger than the others she'd spied. Great circular buildings made of stone with thatched roofs. Rooms jutted off the sides like spokes on a wheel. Flowers grew along the outer walls, small dainty blossoms with petals of indigo and white centers shaped like starbursts. Selkies came and went, a few wearing the same leather attire as Valencia, but they all had hair of snow and silver.

"You look confused."

"Oh," Meribella said, caught off guard by the other woman's perceptiveness. "Is the Harpy Clan smaller than the others? There are not as many homes, and why so far from everyone else?"

Valencia surprised Meribella again. She put her hand on her shoulder and guided her to the furthermost point of the cliff. The waves were fierce today, slapping against the rock and sending spray high enough to dampen the hem of her cloak.

"We are not so much smaller than the other clans. We simply choose to share our homes and resources. There are only a few who believe it is right to have many things and not share. Like humans." A dark cloud passed over her face but it disappeared quickly. "Most buildings house multiple families. The centers are large living areas and kitchens."

"And the families share the rooms that are built into the side?"

A warm smile crossed Valencia's face. "Yes. The building starts as just the middle with one room, but as the family grows, more rooms are added. Most of what you see is home to six or seven generations. I know that is weird for most hum-"

"No," Meribella cut her off, "it feels right. I lived with Kai, my grandmother, and my mother for many years. I only left because I wanted to search the other side of the country for Kai's skin."

Sorrow washed over Valencia's face at the mention of her daughter, but she didn't lash out as she had last night. Raising a hand, she pointed to the horizon and down to the beach below. "And to answer your other question, the Harpy Clan chooses this spot because of its view. From here, we can see miles out to see and all of the homes. We are called to protect and lead these people."

Meribella's heart swelled with pride. She might not be able to take an animal form, but in her veins flowed the blood of strong, powerful people. She was part of this.

"I am sorry for how I reacted yesterday."

"It's fine. I thought everyone knew," Meribella admitted. Three times now Valencia had unsettled her. This woman was as mercurial as the sea. A smile tugged at her mouth. Another shared trait it would seem.

"No, you are blood, and Astra has seen fit to Bless you. That alone should have been enough. I suppose I reacted so poorly because my heart broke. I have been waiting many years to hear of my child. We know this happens to our women, but Kai was supposed to be wiser than others. She was Star Blessed."

"She never gave up on finding her skin. She was frantic to return home."

"She should've never left," Valencia said. Her words were guttural.

"Why...why did she?" Meribella asked. Kai had always spoken of Selkie Island with fondness, her eyes glazing over as she described a world of fairytales.

"I can't answer with complete certainty, but there are...great burdens that fall upon the Star Blessed. Kai was young when the mantle passed to her. My mother died in a terrible accident. She may have only meant to get away for a short time before she stepped up to lead our entire people."

The two women stood side by side in silence. Both lost in dreams of what should've been. Finally, Valencia gathered Meribella in a tight embrace. It was not soft- Valencia was all hard muscle and angles, but it was comforting, and Meribella returned it with equal ferocity.

"Let us return to my home. I want to know all about you, and I know the rest of the family wishes to meet you."

"The rest of the family?" Meribella squeaked. Valencia was overwhelming. She could scarcely imagine meeting others.

"Yes. Anahita, the twin sister of Kai. Como, my eldest boy. And Calder, the youngest. They all have children of their own."

"Caspian told me many of the selkies were struggling to have children. Is that not the case?"

Meribella didn't miss Valencia's quiet sigh. "That is not the case for the Harpy Clan, not yet. We, above all the other clans, have been gifted by the goddess. Most have talents that fall outside the realm of hydrokinesis. We have many healers, and several have the gift of foresight. But our magic is fading, and with it, I believe our ability to have children will fade too. For, what are we but creatures of magic."

"And do you believe, as Caspian does, that my presence will help heal that?"

They stopped in front of the largest home. It took up the middle of the village. Through the doors, Meribella could hear shrieks of laughter and voices raised in camaraderie.

"I do believe it. The island has never been without a Star Blessed before. It is the only thing that is different. But Meribella, heed my warning. Do not take everything Caspian says to heart. The Leopard Clan is not the most trustworthy, and they pledge their allegiance to the false queen, Morgan Le Fay."

"I appreciate the warning, but Caspian has always been honest with me. Sometimes uncomfortably so." It did make her heart happy to hear that Morgan was not revered by all selkies.

"He is a master manipulator who uses truth to distract from his schemes. He learned this at his mother, Nerida's, breast. He may seem to be on your side, but he will always put his clan first. Is that clear?"

Meribella nodded if only to stop the argument. Her grandmother's words struck something deep inside of her, but she shoved it way. The way he'd made her feel earlier clouded her mind, and she knew she would have to unpack those emotions eventually. Valencia was just being cautious. Hundred of years of politics were at play.

"Good," Valencia said, putting her hand on Meribella's back. "Then let's go meet your crazy family."