Mer's Journey: Purple Oasis, #5

By Laura Greenwood and Arizona Tape

A journey across the sea will change everything.
Frog shifter Ines is determined to return to her hometown, even if she knows there's probably nothing left.
Susie has been waiting for a chance to put her mer magic to good use, and now there's a chance to do just that.
As the two of them bond on their journey across the sea, they realise there might be something more between them than just friendship.
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Mer's Journey is part of the Purple Oasis paranormal romance series. It includes a sweet f/f romance involving a homesick frog shifter and a mer determined to prove her magic is useful.
If you enjoy light paranormal romances, coming-of-age storylines, post-apocalyptic settings, sweet moments, guaranteed happy endings, and casual magic systems, then start the Purple Oasis series today with Witch's Trust.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Nov 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223159032

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

One

Ines

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The cold sea breeze cut through my thin jumper and tugged hair from my braid. A shiver ripped through me, and I wrapped my arms tighter around myself in an attempt to stave some of it off. I wished I had a thicker coat, but I hadn't managed to trade for a better one. Maybe I'd manage to get one next time I headed to the nearby camp.

Another chilly breeze swept through the air. It shouldn't be so cold at this time of year, but no doubt that was because of the sea.

I walked a little faster through the crumbling village, trying not to focus too much on the smashed and boarded-up windows, or the caved-in roofs. It was better not to think about the events that had caused those in the first place and pay attention to the signs of life that still dotted the village. It wasn't quite home but it was close enough. For now, at least.

The creak of a rusty old boulangerie sign greeted me as I reached my destination. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Years ago, there would have been a bell to announce my arrival, but it had been repurposed as the dinner bell for the canteen.

Expensive metal countertops still shone from the surfaces, looking as if they hadn't aged a day. Unlike the old-fashioned till and the racks that would have originally been used for bread, and were now just general storage.

The tables from the adjoining café had been pushed together to form a long one and most chairs were already occupied.

A dark-haired girl waved at me to get my attention and patted the empty seat next to her. Over here, Ines.

I mumbled apologies to the various people as I made my way to the seat next to the weather witch and her twin brother. Despite the fact we'd gone to the same school, I'd never expected to end up with them as two of my closest friends.

Then again, nothing in life had gone the way I intended it to.

I unwound my scarf and put it on the table. The smooth green head of my frog familiar popped up from the coils and he let out a curious ribbit as he surveyed the table with curious red eyes.

Eva chuckled. You brought your frog to a meeting?

I can't leave Benoit alone. He might get lost. I reached out and gave him an affectionate pat on the head.

That's how I feel about my brother. If I don't keep an eye on him, he gets lost. She patted him on the shoulder affectionately. Right, Max?

He startled out of his thoughts and rubbed his arm, looking a bit dazed. What?

A teasing sparkle appeared in Eva's eyes. Nothing.

I smiled at their antics. It was comforting to be around people who still had the capacity to joke around. It made me feel warm. And alive. Almost as if the apocalypse hadn't stolen every bit of joy from me.

Benoit croaked loudly.

Almost every bit of joy. I still had a bond with my familiar to work with.

The door opened, making an alarmingly loud screech as it did. It needed to be oiled, but that took up resources I doubted we could afford. The wind whistled as it burst through the door along with the dark and somewhat enigmatic Léon Garnier.

He took place at what could be considered the head of the table and folded his hands together. Almost instantly, the chatter died out and everyone's attention shifted to him. He was the definition of a man who commanded the room.

Good morning, everyone, he said in his smooth French accent.

I was half surprised that he didn't just speak French all the time, but despite the fact we were in France, most of the people in the room were British like me, and hoping to get back to our home. Not that there would be much of a home to get back to. I was well aware of what we were likely to find if we ever got back to the UK.

No doubt it would be more of the same kind of thing I'd seen in towns across France while travelling towards the coast.

I pushed the thoughts from my mind. I couldn't dwell on them for long.

Léon cleared his throat, reminding me that I was supposed to be listening to him. I have good news. We did a test ride yesterday and I'm confident in announcing that the boat is sea-ready.

It took a moment for the words to properly sink in for me, and from the silence around the room, I had to assume that was the same for everyone else. Someone let out a sigh of relief, which was followed by excited whispering around the room.

The boat was ready. It was so surreal to think that when we'd been hoping for this for so long.

Does that mean we can finally return home? the man across from me asked. He didn't look completely convinced, but that was probably because he was still processing the news.

Léon nodded. We need to make some more preparations first, but yes. We should be able to cross the ocean now.

Home. The word echoed around my mind. It was a strange concept after all of these years.

When can we set off? a woman asked.

If everything goes well, we'd like to depart at the end of the week. Max, can you tell what the weather is going to be like on Sunday? Léon asked the weather witch.

Eva's brother shuffled in his seat, clearly a little uncomfortable at being addressed directly. Umm... No, sorry. I can't predict the weather that far in advance. I could give you an accurate reading on the day itself and a decent guess for the day after, but that's it.

Léon nodded, not seeming overly surprised by the witch's response, or the fact that it would all depend. Then we'll decide on the exact date based on Max's prediction. He turned to the middle-aged woman on his left. Sasha did the maths on the capacity, and we can take about fifty people in total, which means we have five to ten more spaces. We could use more supplies as well, both for the journey and for when we arrive. If you know of anyone who wants to come with us and who can contribute, they can have a space on the boat.

Mrs Brewster raised her hand from where she was sitting opposite us, which was an odd thing to see a middle-aged woman doing as if she was in school, but these were strange times.

Léon nodded for her to speak.

When we traded goods with the camp to the north earlier this week, I heard there were people interested in making the crossing. We could recruit people from there, she suggested.

"If there is no one anyone knows of already, then we