Plot Summary
Deadly Kiss, Hidden Past
Maisie, a selkie princess with a deadly secret—her kiss can kill—hides in the bustling city of Lumenas, living as a thief to survive. Haunted by the accidental death of the first boy she kissed, she's estranged from her royal family and terrified of being found by her mother, Nimue, the ruthless Unseelie Queen of the Sea. Maisie's only confidant is Podaxis, her loyal fungus sprite companion. She's determined to keep her identity and her curse hidden, but fate has other plans when a shipwreck off the coast draws her into a dangerous rescue.
Thief in the City
Maisie blends into Lumenas, a city where fae and humans mingle, using her skills as a pickpocket to support herself and her friends at the Vulture's Prose Theater. She's adept at hiding her true nature, but her selkie instincts and longing for the sea never fade. The city's chaos is both a shield and a temptation, and Maisie's compulsion to collect shiny objects is as much a comfort as it is a risk. Her double life is threatened when she's forced to use her rare ability to slip into the Twelfth Court—a realm where time stands still—to escape capture.
Rescue and Regret
When Maisie witnesses a shipwreck, she can't ignore her conscience and dives into the sea to save a drowning man. The rescue is harrowing, pushing her magic to its limits. The man, Dorian, is a human seeking sanctuary, and Maisie's intervention breaks fae law. Torn between her guilt and her need to remain hidden, she delivers Dorian to the Church of Saint Lazaro, hoping to avoid further entanglement. But her actions set off a chain of events that will force her to confront her past and the true nature of her curse.
Bargain with the Sea Witch
Maisie's mother, Nimue, finally finds her and drags her to the underwater palace. Nimue curses Maisie: she must kill Dorian with a kiss within ten days, or die herself. The bargain is cruel—if Maisie succeeds, her deadly magic will be lifted; if she fails, she'll be forced to join Nimue's assassins, the Sisters of the Black Eel. Maisie is thrust into a deadly game, forced to enter a public bridal pageant where Dorian is the prize, all while hiding her true intentions and struggling with the morality of her task.
The Bridal Pageant Begins
Disguised as a contestant, Maisie joins the pageant at the Church of Saint Lazaro, competing against other fae and half-fae women for Dorian's hand. The contest is a spectacle, blending religious ritual with social drama. Maisie must navigate rivalries, sabotage, and the ever-present threat of exposure. As she spends time with Dorian, she's surprised by his complexity and the burdens he carries. The pageant becomes more than a cover for her mission—it's a crucible that tests her heart and her resolve.
Contestants and Confessions
The other contestants—each with their own motives—become both obstacles and unexpected allies. Maisie's friendship with Briony and Greta offers moments of levity, while Vanessa's ambition and the church's expectations add pressure. Through tense dinners, staged performances, and private conversations, Maisie learns more about Dorian's past, the church's dark history, and the true cost of survival. The lines between enemy and friend blur, and Maisie's guilt grows as she gets closer to her target.
The Human Fugitive
Dorian is not the villain Maisie was led to believe. He's the son of a disgraced human who ran illegal fae fighting rings, and he carries the trauma of having killed a fae as a child—an act ruled as self-defense but never forgiven by the fae. Dorian's return to Faerwyvae is fraught with danger, and his participation in the pageant is a desperate bid for sanctuary and a future for his sisters. Maisie's empathy deepens, and her mission becomes unbearable as she sees the man behind the myth.
The Sisters of the Black Eel
Nimue's assassins, the Sisters of the Black Eel, lurk at the edges of the story, ready to finish what Maisie cannot. Zara, a cuttlefish sprite and Nimue's enforcer, is especially dangerous—capable of shifting forms and lying when disguised. The threat of violence is ever-present, and Maisie realizes that if she fails, Dorian will not escape the Sisters' wrath. The stakes are higher than ever, and Maisie's choices will determine not just her fate, but Dorian's and the future of the isle.
A Mission to Kill
As the pageant progresses, Maisie's attempts to get close to Dorian are thwarted by circumstance, her own conscience, and the interference of others. She tries to sabotage her rivals, but guilt gnaws at her. Each failed attempt to deliver the fatal kiss is both a relief and a torment. The pressure mounts as the days slip away, and Maisie is forced to confront the reality that she may not be able to go through with the murder—even if it means her own death.
The Contest Heats Up
The pageant's challenges—talent shows, public speeches, and staged dates—become battlegrounds for Maisie's heart. Her growing feelings for Dorian complicate everything, and their chemistry is undeniable. Dorian, too, is drawn to Maisie, despite his suspicions and the secrets he senses she's hiding. Their connection deepens through shared vulnerability, humor, and the recognition of each other's pain. But the threat of Nimue's curse and the Sisters' vengeance looms ever closer.
Secrets and Sabotage
As the competition narrows, secrets unravel. Maisie's sabotage is exposed, and she's forced to confront the consequences of her actions. Dorian's past is revealed to the public, and the church's hypocrisy is laid bare. The remaining contestants face their own reckonings, and Maisie's relationships with her friends and rivals are tested. The pageant becomes a crucible for truth, and Maisie must decide who she wants to be—killer, victim, or something more.
Falling for the Target
Maisie's feelings for Dorian become impossible to deny. Their stolen moments are charged with longing and fear, and Maisie is torn between her love and her deadly mission. Dorian confides in her, and their mutual understanding grows into something deeper. The possibility of a future together is tantalizing, but the curse on Maisie's lips and the ticking clock of Nimue's bargain threaten to destroy everything. Maisie must choose between her own life and the man she loves.
Truths Under the Willow
In a moonlit confrontation under the willow tree, Maisie and Dorian lay bare their secrets. Maisie confesses her mission and her curse; Dorian reveals his guilt and his hope for redemption. Their honesty is painful but cathartic, and they find solace in each other's arms. But their peace is shattered when Zara attacks, seeking vengeance for her sister's death. In a desperate gambit, Maisie tricks Zara into a fatal bargain, sacrificing her own safety to save Dorian.
The Final Bargain
As sunrise approaches, Maisie faces Nimue one last time. Refusing to join the Sisters of the Black Eel, Maisie chooses death over a life of murder. Nimue's curse begins to consume her, burning away her clothes and threatening to turn her to seafoam. Dorian intervenes, sacrificing himself with a kiss to break the curse. Maisie, desperate and heartbroken, bargains with Nimue for Dorian's life—not as a subject, but as a daughter seeking forgiveness and freedom.
Sacrifice at Sunrise
Dorian's selfless act breaks the curse, but he dies in Maisie's arms. In the Twelfth Court, Maisie pleads with Nimue to restore him, offering forgiveness and understanding in exchange for his life. Nimue relents, moved by her daughter's love and courage. Dorian is revived, and Maisie's deadly magic is finally lifted. The cycle of violence and vengeance is broken, and Maisie is free to choose her own path.
Love Beyond the Curse
With the curse broken and their secrets laid bare, Maisie and Dorian are finally free to love each other. They return to Lumenas, where Dorian's sisters are safe and the church's pageant ends with a public declaration of their love. Maisie is welcomed back by her friends, and Podaxis finds his own happiness with Nadia. The wounds of the past begin to heal, and Maisie and Dorian look to the future with hope.
A New Beginning
One year later, Maisie has reconciled with her father and found a tentative peace with Nimue. She's embraced her dual nature as a selkie and a woman, and her life is filled with love, friendship, and purpose. Dorian has found his place as an advocate for change, and together they build a life of their own choosing. Their love, once forbidden and fraught with danger, is now a source of strength and joy—a testament to the power of forgiveness, courage, and the freedom to choose one's own destiny.
Characters
Maisie (Pearl)
Maisie is a selkie princess burdened by a deadly curse: her kiss can kill. Traumatized by the accidental death of her first lover, she flees her royal family and hides in Lumenas, living as a thief and suppressing her true identity. Maisie is clever, resourceful, and deeply compassionate, but her guilt and fear of her mother, Nimue, keep her isolated. Her relationship with Podaxis is her anchor, and her journey is one of self-forgiveness, moral courage, and the struggle to choose love over violence. Maisie's arc is defined by her refusal to become a tool of vengeance, her willingness to sacrifice herself for others, and her ultimate embrace of her own power and agency.
Dorian Ariko
Dorian is the son of a disgraced human who ran illegal fae fighting rings. Traumatized by his childhood—especially the killing of a fae in self-defense—he returns to Faerwyvae seeking sanctuary and a future for his sisters. Dorian is stoic, honorable, and burdened by guilt, but he's also fiercely protective and capable of deep love. His participation in the bridal pageant is both a desperate bid for survival and a test of his integrity. Dorian's relationship with Maisie is transformative, allowing him to confront his past, accept forgiveness, and choose a future based on love rather than fear.
Nimue, Unseelie Queen of the Sea
Nimue is Maisie's estranged mother and the feared Sea Witch. She is cunning, powerful, and emotionally complex, driven by a desire to reclaim her daughter and mold her into an assassin. Nimue's love is twisted by her own pain and ambition, and she uses bargains, curses, and manipulation to achieve her ends. Her relationship with Maisie is fraught with betrayal, longing, and a perverse form of maternal love. Ultimately, Nimue's arc is one of tragic self-awareness—her inability to let go of control is both her strength and her weakness.
Podaxis
Podaxis is a fungus sprite and Maisie's childhood friend, raised alongside her as a brother. He is cautious, witty, and deeply loyal, often serving as Maisie's conscience and emotional support. Podaxis struggles with his own fears—of shifting forms, of loss, of inadequacy—but his love for Maisie drives him to acts of courage. His budding romance with Nadia and his eventual embrace of change mirror Maisie's own journey toward self-acceptance and growth.
Zara
Zara is Nimue's enforcer and a member of the Sisters of the Black Eel. She is capable of shifting forms and lying when disguised, making her a formidable foe. Zara's vendetta against Dorian is personal—her sister was the fae he killed as a child. She is ruthless, cunning, and driven by revenge, but her loyalty to Nimue is ultimately her undoing. Zara's arc is a cautionary tale about the corrosive power of vengeance and the limits of loyalty.
Father Viktor
Father Viktor is the priest of the Church of Saint Lazaro, striving to modernize the church and atone for its violent past. He is compassionate but bound by tradition, and his relationship with Dorian and Maisie challenges his beliefs. Viktor's arc is one of gradual transformation, as he learns to value love and authenticity over dogma and appearances.
Vanessa Courter
Vanessa is a half-fae contestant in the bridal pageant, driven by religious zeal and social ambition. She is competitive, judgmental, and often at odds with Maisie, but her own vulnerabilities and desires are gradually revealed. Vanessa's arc is one of self-discovery and unexpected growth, culminating in her own unconventional happy ending.
Briony Rose
Briony is a half-fae contestant with a sharp tongue and a rebellious spirit. She befriends Maisie and offers comic relief and emotional support throughout the pageant. Briony's arc is one of self-acceptance and the search for belonging, and her story hints at future adventures and romance.
Greta Garter
Greta is a contestant who uses the pageant as a stage for her acting ambitions. She is flamboyant, charming, and self-aware, providing levity and a reminder that not all battles are life and death. Greta's arc is one of self-realization and the pursuit of her own dreams.
The Sisters of the Black Eel
The Sisters are Nimue's loyal assassins, each with unique talents and a shared devotion to their queen. They represent the ever-present danger of vengeance and the seductive pull of power. Their presence forces Maisie to confront the darkness within herself and the consequences of choosing violence over compassion.
Plot Devices
The Deadly Kiss and the Bargain
The central plot device is Maisie's deadly kiss—a magical curse that makes her both a threat and a victim. This curse is weaponized by Nimue, who forces Maisie into a bargain: kill Dorian within ten days or die. The bargain is a classic fae device, binding and inescapable, and it drives the narrative's tension. The curse is also a metaphor for trauma, guilt, and the fear of intimacy, and its resolution is both literal and symbolic.
The Pageant as Crucible
The bridal pageant is a narrative structure that allows for both spectacle and psychological depth. It is a stage for rivalry, alliance, and self-discovery, and it forces Maisie to confront her own values and desires. The pageant's rituals, challenges, and eliminations provide a ticking clock and a series of escalating stakes, while also serving as a commentary on gender, power, and the performance of identity.
The Twelfth Court
Maisie's ability to enter the Twelfth Court—a realm where time stands still—serves as both a literal escape and a metaphor for her liminality. It is a space where she can evade danger, reflect on her choices, and ultimately confront the boundaries between life and death. The Twelfth Court is also a site of resurrection and forgiveness, where bargains can be made and broken, and where the past can be confronted and transformed.
Foreshadowing and Reversal
The narrative is rich with foreshadowing—Maisie's compulsion to steal, her longing for the sea, the threat of the Sisters, and the ambiguity of Dorian's past all hint at future revelations. The story is structured around reversals: Maisie's mission to kill becomes a mission to save; enemies become lovers; curses become blessings. The use of bargains, secrets, and shifting alliances keeps the reader in suspense and underscores the theme that nothing is as it seems.
The Power of Choice
At every turn, Maisie is confronted with choices—some forced, some freely made. The tension between agency and destiny is a central plot device, and the story's resolution hinges on Maisie's refusal to be defined by her curse, her past, or her mother's will. The final act of forgiveness and self-sacrifice is both a narrative and thematic climax, affirming the power of love, courage, and the freedom to choose one's own path.
Analysis
Kiss of the Selkie is a lush, emotionally charged retelling of The Little Mermaid, reimagined through the lens of fae bargains, trauma, and the redemptive power of love. At its heart, the novel is about the struggle to reclaim agency in a world that seeks to define and control you—whether through curses, bargains, or the expectations of family and society. Maisie's journey is one of self-forgiveness and moral courage: she refuses to become a weapon of vengeance, even when her own life is at stake. The story interrogates the nature of monstrosity and redemption, showing that both are choices rather than destinies. The romance between Maisie and Dorian is a slow burn, built on mutual vulnerability and the willingness to see—and accept—the darkness in each other. The book's use of fae lore, pageantry, and liminal spaces creates a rich tapestry of metaphor and meaning, inviting readers to reflect on the costs of survival, the necessity of forgiveness, and the freedom that comes from choosing love over fear. In a modern context, Kiss of the Selkie resonates as a story about breaking cycles of violence, healing from inherited trauma, and daring to imagine a future shaped by compassion and hope.
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