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 shut eyes, took a breath, visibly shuddered with self-control. “The more you touch me—I want to—”


“Then yes,” Peter told him. “Yes, please, show me, let me see you—”


Nerein, atop him, astride him, sat up more. Gripped his own cock: long and dark, length pumping in and out of his hand, pearlescent drips beading up and making each stroke slicker.


Peter murmured, watching, “Oh, yes, that…do what you like, what feels good, let me see…” and gloried in it: lying prone under his lover, while Nerein so clearly wanted him, desired him, got quick-breathed and ready at the sight of him, all lit up and flushed with undeniable arousal, hand stroking faster and faster over Peter all laid out for him.


“I need,” Nerein panted, voice raspy as coral, “I need—so close—you’re so beautiful, Peter, my Peter—I want to show you, want myself all over you, covering you with me—”


Chapter 59