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

Nerein said, “You keep watching him. You have been. I was watching you.”


Blunt as houses; well, the sea-prince wasn’t human. Peter didn’t mind, though. Refreshing. Aboveboard. He answered willingly. “I did. Before.”


“He’s a good man. And I cared for him. I do care. As a friend.” And Jer had gone and moved in with Cadence Bell, and had chased Cade into the ocean and brought him back, and had brought the sea to Gull Skerrie. Jeremiah Carver had hidden secrets and magic behind those schoolteacher’s eyes for years. Peter had never been allowed to see them.


“He doesn’t love you,” Nerein said. “Not like that. The way he’s looking at Cadence.”


Chapter 36