Once upon a time, on a rocky island with enchantment under the ocean ... Cadence Bell left the windswept Northern Isles and his parents’ inn for the theaters and royal masques and glitter of Londre, swearing he’d make his fortune as a playwright and poet, trading fish stew and rain for fame and adoration and a place at the Queen’s Court. Now his parents are gone and Cade’s inheritance brings him back home, where he’d never wanted to return. But magic lurks beneath the waves, a stray pearl might be a key to another world, and even the quiet local schoolteacher has secrets of his own. Jeremiah Carver never meant to hide secrets. But he promised to tell no one about the other world he’s seen, and he keeps his word. Even if that means concealing magic from Cadence Bell. Which is difficult, since Cade’s not only a dazzling literary success, but also the person Jeremiah’s loved from afar since their years-ago childhood. And he’s afraid he’s falling for Cade all over again now. When Cadence falls under the siren spell of the ocean’s magic, Jeremiah has to make a choice and return to a world he’s left behind once before to rescue his heart from the sea.

Cadence and the Pearl

“Go,” the King said. “Keep your promises.”


As if this were a sign, sea-folk swirled up around them: dolphin-shapes and seal-shapes, mer-tails and bare legs, skin and silken hair and pelts and rippling scales, small and large and in between, amber and teal and sunny bronze. They formed a knot of chatter, of laughter, of bubbles and whipped frothy water; their exuberance drew everyone from the palace and up and onward.


More magic, Cade thought, vertiginous and breathless in the flood. Wherever they’d been, they were rushing to the surface, hurtling toward it. Layers of ocean parted; kelp streamed alongside; sunshine suddenly stretched rays down and equally suddenly vanished, giving way to lashing rain and northern chill. The land awaited; an unmapped future awaited.


A hand brushed his. Firm strong fingers. Jeremiah twined them together, holding on. Cade now couldn’t breathe not simply from being rushed skyward but from amazement.


Chapter 25