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

The next day dawned misty and cold, but not storming. Peter took the Gannetout in the early morning, dawn like crisp clear jewels against his face, on his cheeks, dusted with spray and salt and the whip of the wind and the joy of being out amid it all.


The Gannetflew through waves, and raced each crash, and danced with the elements. Peter’s coat and boots got damp, and the wind burned his cheeks, and he cast out a few nets for the sake of doing his proper job but really he just loved it. The sea, himself, his boat, and the sky.


He tried to be responsible about fisherman’s practices, kindness to the waters, not taking too much nor leaving anything unwelcome. His family had taught him that; all of Gull Skerrie had taught him that. Respect for the life they shared.


Chapter 40