The Tides of Loss and Longing by E. M. Barne

Aurelia’s world is the sea—vast, beautiful, and endless—but she’s always felt something was missing. Drawn to the allure of the human world, she makes a dangerous deal with the Sea Witch, trading her mermaid tail for legs—and a human heart capable of love and loss.

Drake Hawthorne, a pirate captain haunted by his past, sails the high seas with little left to lose—until Aurelia dives into his life. Their connection is undeniable, their passion magnetic, but their worlds couldn’t be more different, and the secrets between them too difficult to ignore.
When outside forces threaten to tear them apart, Drake is forced to confront whether a future with Aurelia is truly possible. Meanwhile, Aurelia begins to question whether her bargain with the Sea Witch was worth the price—or if it has cost her far too much.
As forbidden love blooms, Aurelia and Drake must navigate the treacherous divide between land and sea, battling danger, lies, and the forces that would keep them apart. Will their love survive, or are they destined for heartbreak?