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

“Oh, I know. You’re a proper hero, walking between worlds.” He threw Jer a grin. “Pretty sure there’re songs about you. Or there will be, if Cadence has his way.”


“I do love him,” Jer said. “And I love you. Not in the same way. He’s…him. The rest of my heart. But you’re you, too. And I don’t want you to think I don’t care. I do.”


“I’ll remember that,” Peter told him, “when your other half’s trying to talk me into committee meetings. How many times can I ask you to help get me out of diplomacy, you reckon, before it gets suspicious?” But he still had a hand on Jer’s elbow; he squeezed lightly, and those big brown eyes met his. Peter gave him a little nod; Jer’s expression eased into a smile.


“I don’t know,” Jeremiah said, “I’ll think about it. I’ll tell him I need to ask about moving some more of my things over, out of the guest house, in with him. Especially in the bedroom. That’ll work.”


Chapter 50