In Deeper Waters

by F.T. Lukens · 2021

Prince Tal has spent his life hidden behind palace walls, learning to conceal a forbidden magic that could endanger his kingdom. At last his coming‑of‑age tour begins, offering a glimpse of the world beyond the throne. Two days into the voyage his crew rescues a mysterious prisoner from a burning wreck, and Tal is drawn to the roguish Athlen, feeling an instant, inexplicable bond. When Athlen vanishes overboard, Tal is left heartbroken—until the stranger reappears on shore, alive, charming, and even more secretive than before. Their budding connection is cut short when pirates kidnap Tal, intent on exposing his powers to spark war. With his kingdom at stake, Tal must escape, and the only hope may lie in the enigmatic Athlen, whose loyalties are as turbulent as the seas. A swashbuckling, LGBTQ+ romance that blends the wit of *The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue* with the high‑seas thrills of *Pirates of the Caribbean*, this novel offers forbidden magic, daring adventure, and a love that could change a realm.