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

A day out on water. A day of sea and pale biting sunlight and the familiar slide of ropes through his hands. The taste of salt on his lips. The satisfaction of coming in with a full net and finding a mug of ale waiting, and the cozy heat of the fire over at The Bell, full of shared laughter and chess-games and fresh-baked bread. The steady beat of the island north.


The future had arrived in swirls of magic and glittering scales and Court fashions, politics and puffed sleeves and delicate hands. Their island would forever be famous: the place where the Sea King and the Queen of the Isles would meet and map out the future. Cade had plans for a grand pavilion, a banquet, a university for a joining of minds.


Merfolk were real. Magic was real. So very real.


Peter swung a leg. Felt his worn boot tap against stone.


A head surfaced from the pool of deep blue beside him. Dark hair floated, clung, got into eyes. A voice said interestedly, “You aren’t helping.”


Chapter 34