Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. After enduring a brutal ritual to give her Fae powers, a vital piece of her soul goes missing. She must abandon everything and everyone to find it.
It is her journey alone.
If she fails her mission, her lover’s brother will never again see the sun, trapped in a horrifying dimension called the Hellhole. If she fails, her lover Mako may not forgive her.
If she fails, she will never be whole.
She’s sent to a queendom so foreign she can barely breathe, transformed into a body she can’t possibly understand. Grappling with the enormity of her task, she struggles to appreciate the sorrows of the pollinators.
But she must if she wants to succeed.
Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. After enduring a brutal ritual to give her Fae powers, a vital piece of her soul goes missing. She must abandon everything and everyone to find it.
It is her journey alone.
If she fails her mission, her lover’s brother will never again see the sun, trapped in a horrifying dimension called the Hellhole. If she fails, her lover Mako may not forgive her.
If she fails, she will never be whole.
She’s sent to a queendom so foreign she can barely breathe, transformed into a body she can’t possibly understand. Grappling with the enormity of her task, she struggles to appreciate the sorrows of the pollinators.
But she must if she wants to succeed.
I was restless, with no purpose. After Terrun’s dark magic left me hovering in the Sliver, one foot in both worlds, neither dead nor alive, Jelly had coaxed me back with the promise we’d do beautiful things for the world. So far, our grand plans hadn’t materialized. We hadn’t even discussed them.
“Mori, where’s your head?” Mew’s brow wrinkled as he helped me up from the mat where he’d sent me sprawling. I’d completely missed blocking his kick, leaving my ears ringing. We were training in his dojo in the village.
“Just preoccupied.”
“Trouble at home?”
I snorted. This wasn’t my home. Not really. “Mako and Jelly have been fighting all week.” I rubbed my temple, throbbing from Mew’s hit. His face was curious, a touch troubled, and he grazed his fingers across my brow, lifting away the sting. I blinked at him. “Thanks, Mew.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Not much to say. They’re in a snit over something and don’t want to share. They’re hissing like two wet cats in a pillowcase, but never with claws, which must be a fated mates thing. I’d have drawn blood by now. Shouldn’t it be easier? Anyway, neither of them will explain why they’re so pissy. I’m iced out.”
He nodded sagely. “They are new to the bond, but that’s not fun to live with.” He patted my shoulder. “You’re too distracted to train today. Go lose yourself in your books.”
I puffed out my cheeks in resignation. “I think I will.” I tipped my head. “You’re a good friend, Mew. You listen to me. I appreciate it.” What I didn’t voice was that I was lonely, and Mew was the one constant companion I could rely on, even if he beat the snot out of me.
Fate stole my friend from me; at least, that’s how I saw it. Despite her voluminous powers, Jelly lost her sharp edge. She was like an octopus, ever changing to fit her environment, adapting her persona to suit the situation. She always looked at Mako before answering a question, like she needed permission for her feelings. Old Jelly, my childhood friend, was unapologetically opinionated, and I didn’t care for this newer version.
I closed the leather cover of my latest encyclopedia on the Fae, treating it with the care it deserved. Gazing out the window of the library in the small village, people were closing shop, meaning it was time for me to leave my small cocoon and face the calamity at the Fields’ house, namely Mako and Jelly.
I glanced over at the notes I’d made on the Fae. They weren’t all bad; just pathologically self-serving. We didn’t have any books on them back at the reef, and I bathed in the vast knowledge I had at my fingertips. Given the village was a sanctuary for magic, no one twitched as I translated the old books from my cozy corner on the third floor, away from the bustle and hushed voices.
I gathered my two tomes and left them at the main desk. Jared, the librarian, looked up, saw it was me, and blushed. “Had enough for today?” He pushed up his blue-rimmed round glasses, smiling shyly as I slid the thick books toward him.
“My head’s about to explode. Their language is so tricky. Too many consonants and not enough vowels. But I’m getting the rhythm of it.” I tossed my curls over my shoulder, leaning in to smile at him beguilingly, my arm on the desk, reaching over to twiddle a pen near his fingers.
His dark brown hair fell forward as he logged the books under my name, his lips moving as he wrote in a red-covered journal, which subtly flashed as he closed it. If I had to guess, I’d say he was a Mage. I dropped my voice. “Hey Jared, can I ask you something, and promise to keep it to yourself?” I leaned in, coaxing him to come closer. “Do you know if there are side effects of forced fusion rituals?”
His eyes sprang wide, and he looked around, fearful of eavesdroppers. “That’s dark magic, Mori. You shouldn’t mess around with that.”
“It’s already happened. To a friend of mine.”
Jared narrowed his eyes at me. “I’m supposed to report it.”
I waved him off casually. “Oh, it was in England. But what do you know? My friend is struggling to manage the magic.”
“I’m not surprised. You shouldn’t force magic on people. How many strands? One? Two?
My lips turned down. “Seven.”
“Seven! Shit, Mori! I’m surprised she’s still alive! There’s always a cost to using the dark arts. Maybe her difficulties are because of that.” He shook his head, muttering, “Seven.”
He raised his chin and swallowed, making the apple at his throat bob. “Since we’re opening up to each other, can I ask you a question? It’s somewhat personal. I’ve researched it, but the Mers are notoriously secretive, and the information we have here is vague.” He gave me a half-smile. “With you being estranged from the surface and all.”
I tapped the tip of the pen, letting it knock against his hand, making contact without touching him. He tried to hide his gasp. I purred in an innocent voice. “Of course. Anything.” I fluttered my eyelashes. Poor man. He couldn’t hide his nerves as his throat worked overtime.
He steeled himself. “I know the Mers recharge themselves through intimacy. Do you take the magic from the person? Deplete them?”
“Steal it?” I traced my other hand against my chest in faux horror, drawing his eyes to my deep vee neckline, a hint of lace peeking through. “No. It’s an internal process. I mean, someone could bolster the replenishment by giving their magic, but it doesn’t hurt them. We’re not vampires.” His relief was palpable, tension breaking from his shoulders.
I leaned in further, as if sharing a secret, my fingers grazing his. He couldn’t meet my eyes, so enamored with my decolletage. “It’s always appreciated if someone donates their magic to a mermaid, like adding spice to a meal, but it’s unnecessary for the boost. It’s still nourishing.” I winked at him. “We can do it for ourselves, but it’s more fun with a friend.”
The apple bobbed up and down, making me unable to hide my smile. He was vibrating with magic, and a tendril of it curled toward me before he drew it back, an invisible whisper on my skin. He wasn’t really my type, but starved for affection, I flirted with him. He said, “I understand. Good to know. Thank you.” He finally tore his stare from my breasts, blinking from behind his glasses. “See you tomorrow?” His voice held longing, as if my regular visits were the highlight of his day.
“Can’t wait.” I retrieved my helmet and leather jacket from the staff room, a perk I’d secured immediately, casually pouting that I had nowhere to put them. Jared offered his locker with a stammer, saying he rarely used it. Feeling his eyes on me, I tossed back my long hair, and swiveled my hips while pulling on the jacket. Completely unnecessary, but fun, especially when I caught the small groan escaping his throat.
Mako taught me to ride a motorcycle after I’d moaned about being trapped on the gorgeous estate his family owned. I’d learned quickly, desperate to have my freedom from watching him and Jelly navigate their sudden fated status. Thankfully, I’d mastered it before the friction between them started a week ago.
I kicked the engine to life, slapped down my visor, and twisted my wrist, leaving the village behind. My shoulders relaxed as the trees raced by, the road curving and carving along the coast. I pulled into a rest stop overlooking the ocean, the bike idling between my thighs as I set down a foot, waiting for a sense of homesickness as I stared at the blue horizon. It didn’t come. My life was here on the surface now. With a check over my shoulder, I sped back on the road toward the compound.
Magic snapped over my body as I pulled into the driveway, reminiscent of swimming into the bubble around the reef, although this was for protection from attack, not microplastics. I shuddered involuntarily, remembering when the Eators invaded this place, aiming to take Jelly’s pearl. We’d seen neither hide nor hair of the vile creatures, and for that I was glad. Still, they were out there, undoubtedly waiting.
I glimpsed Roan roaming the house in nothing but shorts. I stared at his imposing body, completely covered in magical ink. He was airing his thick hair, the warrior style braid unbound. He kept the sides shaved tight, displaying more tattoos on his skull. The bike idled as I watched, the engine hot. We’d been attempting to outdo each other’s seductions, almost torturing each other with innuendos.
To be honest, I loved the tension, the thrill of the chase, hovering on the edge of submission, but we were both too stubborn to give in, for whoever succumbed first would be the loser; though losing would be sweeter than pie. Of that, I had little doubt. But I avoided going too far, of leading him too deeply into temptation, as feelings were dangerous, and I wasn’t looking for attachments. Flirting was safer.
Leaving the bike in the garage, I headed down the side path toward my small house on the property when I heard shouting floating toward me on the salted breeze. Jelly and Mako were fighting again, this time outside. They’d see me if I continued on, and it would be awkward. I’d asked Jelly what was wrong several times, but she brushed me off, telling me it was teething pains. She’d demoted me as her confidant, which stung more than I wanted to admit. In the small places of my heart, I felt abandoned by her. I didn’t need the reminder.
I turned, heading straight for the pool, needing a soak after sitting for so long. Not to mention my low back was screaming from the heavy deadlifts Mew insisted I needed for efficient fighting.
I left the helmet and my clothes on the lounger, jumping in the pool in my underwear. Everyone was used to my near nudity by now, swimming in a thong and a bra, and if it bothered anyone, they hadn’t complained, so I didn’t care. I swam to the deep end of the pool in one breath, kicking my legs like a frog, purring in my throat as I reached my goal.
Admittedly, I’d grown lazy, relying on the tumultuous thundering of the pool jet to get my magical recharge. If I used sex, it would be much stronger, but that meant actually interacting with someone. My mind wandered to Jared. He was cute in that geeky, brainiac way. Shy, but that didn’t matter. I could sense the power strumming in his mind, making him attractive.
After his earlier question, I could easily convince him to slip away, undetected in a dusty corner of the old building for a quick recharge, but keeping him on my hook was better, made him more helpful. He gave me access to rare books normally encased behind glass. Plus, he let me sneak my cinnamon-dusted cappuccinos into the library. I shook my head. This was much cleaner.
I leaned heavily on my elbows, letting the water pulse against my lower body, causing my breath to catch as I got into position. I scrunched my eyes closed as the water deliciously assaulted me, my teeth clenched so I wouldn’t moan out loud as the crescendo built at a furious pace. My muscled tightened, so close…
A deep voice mocked me, jarring me from my bliss. “Playing in the pool again, lass?” I flung myself backward.
“Roan.” Frustration gripped my teeth as my orgasm slipped away in the cool water. I clenched my jaw around his name.
I watched with narrowed eyes as he strolled toward me, taking his time to toss his towel on the lounger, knowing he had a rapt audience. He looked over with a grin, his green eyes twinkling. “Did I interrupt something?”
I gave him my best scowl. “You know you did.” The throb of my power dot, my nickname for the exquisite female organ at the apex of my thighs, slowly died down, but the roar in my blood did not, especially as the enormous man gracefully split the surface and swam to my side. “What do you want, Roan?”
He chuckled, water running down his thick muscles as he leaned on an elbow on the pool edge, right next to where I gripped with my fingers. The droplets shimmered against his dark tattoos. “Ye know what I want, Mori.” I loved the way my name rolled from his tongue, like he savored it inside his mouth. He burned me with his stare. I scoffed, dismissing him as I flicked my wet curls off my shoulder. He watched my every move with hunger.
I felt my magical boosting slide away, leaving me more tired and sore. My question came out harsher than I wanted, especially since I needed his help. “Are you going back to England soon?” I spun my legs through the cool water, still annoyed at being disturbed.
“Are ye looking to be rid of me, lass?” His deep voice carried mirth, grinning at my surly expression.
I dropped my irritation. “I’m bored, Roan.” I waved my hand at the pool and the gorgeous house. “This is great, but I want more.”
He roughed a meaty hand across his tight beard, evaluating my words. “Ye want more? Not one for a life of comfort, eh? Ye need action.” With his beard wet, I could see a tattoo on his throat. It was tempting to tip his head back to look closer. He waited for me to answer, and I tore my mind away from touching him.
I said, “It’s not so much action. I want to heal the rift between the land and the sea. We’ve shown we can work together; at least in our group. I want to take it wider, meet more Surfecti, and show them the Mers are ready to negotiate a truce. With you and Richard as Wizardy co-chairs, and Anna the most powerful witch in Europe, surely you can make introductions.”
“What about Jelly?”
“What about her? She’s busy with Mako. She probably wouldn’t notice if I left.”
His eyes flashed sympathetically. “Ah. Fated mates. Give them some time, lass. They’re new to the bond.”
I ignored his words. “Jelly’s happy here. She’s got her work with Simmi, her new instant family, and I’m…I’m…” I threw my hand in the air, feeling like a spoiled princess who couldn’t appreciate her good fortune.
“Stagnant.” He dropped his hand to swirl the water on the surface. “Aye, lass, I could introduce ye. Do the Mers support ye? I won’t show ye around unless I know for certain they’re game.”
“I’ll confirm with my father and the shaman. They were restructuring the government the last time we spoke. If he says yes, you’ll take me? We’ll go?” I couldn’t help the hope in my voice.
“Aye, lass. We’ll go.” I stopped myself from flinging my arms around him. I bit my lip in excitement, and his eyes dropped to my mouth as he spoke. “I’ll take ye to meet everyone important.” I spread my palms on the cool cement, ready to push myself out, when he stopped me with a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Does Jelly know yer plans?”
“No. We barely speak alone anymore. I told you. She’s busy with Mako.”
“Ah,” he said, leaving it at that.
I hauled myself out, secretly smiling as Roan inhaled a sharp breath at my wet thong. I grabbed my gear from the lounger, swaying my hips as water streamed down my body. Roan called out my name, making me pause and turn at the edge of the clover lawn. He’d swum to the shallow end of the pool and stood up, his hands on his hips. “Lass, I could help ye recharge yer magic. A pool jet can’t kiss ye.”
The afternoon sun threw warm light on his body, glistening wet, his eyes glinting with emerald fire. Tempting. So tempting. I perused his body with my gaze. “It also doesn’t talk back. I’m good, Roan, but thanks for the offer.”
“Yer loss, lass.”
I grinned with a flirty smile that didn’t reach my heart. He was probably right.
I ate dinner alone in my small house, comfortable, elegant, with all the modern amenities a woman could want. I contemplated finishing what I’d started in the pool, but didn’t have the energy. I snuggled in early with a historical novel and a cup of chamomile tea. My eyes grew heavy, and I sprawled across the massive bed like a starfish, using all the pillows as props for my tired body, and dreamed.
Roan was there, as if my subconscious needed to follow through on the teasing. And Gods, he could kiss. A little on the rough side, just like I liked it, his fingers gripping my curls as he devoured me. I thought I’d catch fire as my knees weakened along with my will, letting him take control. My arms wound round his neck, pulling him closer. Closer. More. Gods, yes, more. His calloused fingers fell from my hair to my body and I panted in his mouth as his eyes flashed a brilliant green, a male groan in his throat as his hand slid down and found…
Sadly, the dream ended. The sounds of my own moans roused me, tangled in the sheets, my throat dry, the echo of my wantonness ringing in my ears. I was feverish and soaked in sweat. Cursing, I drank the water on my bedside table, fluffed the pillows, and moved to the other side of the bed that wasn’t damp.
I tossed for ages, unable to escape the vividness of the dream; his beard rasping my skin, his fingers wrapped in my hair, the scent of him flooding me like fresh pine. Jelly and I called him my surly bear, and in my dream, I’d pictured him leaning his back on a tree, naked, beckoning me with the crook of his finger, and I’d gone to him with a willing desperation, so different from reality.
The Sorrow of Bees by Andie Holman is a fast-paced, action-packed urban fantasy that immerses readers in a world shaped by loyalty, secrecy, and emotional growth. Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative primarily follows Jelly and Mako, a fated couple learning to navigate the complexities of a new life together. Meanwhile, Mori, their closest friend, grapples with her own sense of isolation as the pair struggle to communicate and strengthen their bond. Relationships are never simple, and within this story, time always feels just out of reach.
When Jelly receives a dream-like message from a higher power revealing that Mako’s brother is trapped in a place inaccessible to anyone but her, urgency takes hold. Jelly is immediately ready to act, while Mako processes the revelation more cautiously before sharing the news. Yet their secret is only one of many concealed within the family. As they journey toward a place of refuge among friends and other magical beings, Jelly must unravel riddles and seek understanding in ways she never imagined, all in an effort to reclaim what was lost in the aftermath of the last great battle.
What makes this story especially memorable is its creativity. This author demonstrates originality through layered storytelling and meaningful undertones that often remain unspoken but resonate throughout the narrative. The author shows strong awareness of her characters, each displaying a range of emotional depth. Jelly, in particular, faces a significant growth trajectory as she learns to step outside of her own internal barriers to build stronger connections—not only with others, but with herself.
There are occasional grammatical and spelling errors, along with some inconsistencies in character language, though these do not significantly detract from the reading experience. Because the novel appears to pick up shortly after the first installment, new readers may benefit from beginning the series at its origin. Additional world-building would have strengthened the story, as the rapid pacing sometimes leaves readers wanting greater context. An advanced reader copy of The Sorrow of Bees was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review. Awarded with three stars; it is undeniably worth the read, particularly for fans of imaginative, character-driven fantasy.