When something wearing Mara Reed’s first love walks out of the fog, it calls her by the name she buried: Pearl. The revenant is weaving a rope of stolen names to ring the Old King’s bell—and drown the city that refused to pay the sea its due.
Cassian Vale, the lighthouse Warden who traded a crown for a spiral stair, needs an anchor who won’t flinch. Together they cut traps, salt ledgers, and write a new law on stone: in storm, the heart may bind to two.
But the sea keeps accounts. To buy one more dawn for Tidelace, Mara and Cassian must share breath, share price, and ring a bell that answers only to truth.
Cassian Vale, the lighthouse Warden who traded a crown for a spiral stair, needs an anchor who won’t flinch. Together they cut traps, salt ledgers, and write a new law on stone: in storm, the heart may bind to two.
But the sea keeps accounts. To buy one more dawn for Tidelace, Mara and Cassian must share breath, share price, and ring a bell that answers only to truth.
Romantasy • Dual‑POV • Mature (17+)
Found‑family coastal city vs. hungry sea
Consensual heat (non‑graphic), peril, grief, light blood
HFN ending
Content Note: Mature themes—consensual adult intimacy (non‑graphic), peril, grief, light blood, strong language.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Used availability for Avery Cross's A Bargain of Salt & Smoke