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

They did manage to get into the tub—the ability to speak to water and persuade it to heat proved to be once again entirely useful—and Nerein took a sort of proprietary charge of washing Peter all over: legs, stomach, blond chest-hair fuzz, even arms, peppered with kisses. The soap laced the air with chamomile; Peter held out limbs obediently and let himself be cared for. Nerein smiled more, in the way of someone discovering a new aspect of himself: enjoying this providing of care.


Nerein tucked him into bed after, under blankets. Peter caught his hand. “Where’re you going?”


“Tea. And currant buns. Don’t move. Stay warm.”


“No. I want you right here.” Those otherworldly eyes danced. “I want to come back and find you just like this.”


“I can do that.” Peter snuggled down into pillows and thick conspiratorial woolen knit. His blankets were on Nerein’s side. They’d fallen in love too. “But tell me if you have an argument with the kettle.”


Chapter 60