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

Peter reached up after a moment—after regaining breath—and tugged his sea-prince down to be kissed. Nerein landed atop him in a sticky half-protesting puddle, and kissed him anyway, and then pushed his head under Peter’s hand and wanted to be petted.


“Cat,” Peter said, entertained; and did as requested. He felt incredible. Everything felt incredible: the radiance lingering in his muscles, the cotton of his sheets under his back, the weight of merman sprawled all over him. “Fish-cat. Shark-kitten. Something like that. You awake, at all?”


Nerein did something midway between a kiss and a nip to Peter’s collarbone. “I only know about cats from storybooks. Is that a compliment?”


“A little prickly, nice to pet, definitely welcome on my lap. I’d say yes.”


“Hmm. You have entirely not worn me out yet, if that’s what you were asking. We could continue. Try more…adventures.”


Chapter 48